Satellite images confirm destruction of four Russian aircraft at Rostov airfield

New satellite images confirm that Ukraine's Defense Forces destroyed four aircraft in a strike on the Russian military airfield "Rostov-on-Don-Central." The GEOINT analyst community "CyberBoroshno" reported the news, noting that the strike had been extremely powerful.

According to experts' assessment, the strike destroyed two Mi-8 helicopters along with two military transport aircraft — an An-12 and an An-26.

Consequences for Russian forces

Israeli Defense Forces officer and military analyst Igal Levin commented on the operation, saying such a strike could carry serious consequences. He explained that a successful attack on an airfield often means not only the loss of the aircraft themselves but also potential disruption to the airfield's continued use. This, in turn, can force reliance on more distant airfields, increasing response times and adding extra strain on aircraft engine service life.

How the strike unfolded

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) specified that after the airstrike, a large fire broke out in the aircraft and helicopter parking area at the "Rostov-on-Don-Central" airfield, followed by detonations. The operation was carried out by specialists from the SBU's "Alpha" Special Operations Center using long-range drones.

Russian channels reported that one of the helicopters struck at the Rostov military airfield burned along with its crew. The deceased were identified as Captain Alexei Korochkin, the crew commander and pilot, and Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Kuznetsov, who served as navigator-operator.