Ukraine special forces obliterate Russian airbase | World | News

Ukrainian special forces carried out a daring drone attack on a military airfield inside Russia, causing a huge fire to break out.

Images from the area show dense thick black smoke pouring from the Khanskaya airbase, after it came under sustained attack in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The military site is located in the North Caucasus in the Adygea Republic, and is roughly 430 kilometres (270 miles) from the frontlines.

A source in Ukraine‘s Security Service (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent that there had been 57 warplanes, trainer aircraft, and helicopters at the base when it was hit.

These included Su-34 and Su-35 jets, as well as Mi-8 helicopters. The Sukhoi Su-34 is supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber.

It boasts an impressive fire power and can be equipped with Kh-101 cruise missiles, which can be armed with both conventional and nuclear warheads.

Local residents reported hearing waves of drones approach the airfield in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“Drones attacked a military airfield, there is a real war going on there, in Rodnikovka at the airfield,” one person said.

Emergency services were forced to evacuate residents from the nearby village of Rodnikovka, as firefighters attempted to bring the blaze under control.

They were hampered in their efforts by exploding munitions from a weapons warehouse, that had been hit.

Satellite images from NASA’s fire monitoring system showed a fire near the airfield after the attack.

Ukraine‘s military confirmed it had attacked the air base in a statement issued later on Thursday.

“Tonight the Khanskaya airfield in the Republic of Adygea of ​​the Russian Federation was hit by fire,” a statement said.

“In particular, an ammunition depot located on the territory of a military facility came under attack.

“Enemy air defence activity was observed in the target area, and a fire was recorded. It is known that Su-34 and Su-27 aircraft were based at the airfield.

“More detailed information about the consequences of the attack is being clarified.

“The task was completed by the forces and means of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”