Ukrainian missiles destroy two Russian Su-34 jets at airfield deep inside Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said missile strikes deep inside Russia destroyed two Su-34 aircraft on the ground and damaged an Iskander missile launcher. Ukraine's navy said the attack targeted an airfield in the Volgograd region.
Ukraine carried out two missile strikes on Russian territory on Thursday evening, 29 October, destroying two Russian Su-34 military aircraft that were parked on the ground, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The strikes are part of the war launched by Russia against Ukraine, in which both sides also hit targets far behind the front line.
In his daily address, Zelensky thanked the military personnel for the result. He added that a separate strike damaged a Russian Iskander missile launcher.
Attack on an airfield in the Volgograd region
The Ukrainian navy said the strike used Neptun missiles, which are made in Ukraine. The target was the Marinovka military airfield in Russia's Volgograd region, located more than 450 kilometres from territory controlled by Ukraine. It is the second successful Ukrainian missile attack on a military airfield in Russia this month.
Russia's response
The Russian army did not comment on the reports. Bloggers close to the Russian military, however, indirectly confirmed that the aircraft had been lost. Su-34s are used to drop glide bombs on Ukrainian cities.
Call for anti-missile defence
Zelensky also spoke about Ukraine's anti-ballistic defence. He said partners should provide packages of interceptors, primarily for Patriot systems, to protect lives. According to him, Ukraine has intelligence that Russia is preparing new ballistic missile attacks. The president said Ukraine needs the capability to shoot them down and is waiting for decisions from its partners.
