Ukrainian forces hit Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia and a drone launch site in Oryol Oblast

Ukraine's defence forces struck the Akhtubinsk military airfield in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast, as well as a site in Oryol Oblast used to store and launch attack drones, overnight on 14-15 November. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the strikes on Telegram. They were carried out amid Russia's war against Ukraine and targeted facilities linked to Russian aviation and to drone attacks on Ukraine.

Explosions at the airfield

After the strike, a powerful secondary detonation was recorded at Akhtubinsk. It occurred at a storage facility holding missile kits. The airfield lies roughly 650 kilometres from the front line.

The base hosts the Russian Defence Ministry's 929th State Flight Test Centre, where new military aircraft and weapons are tested. It also serves as a base for Su-34 aircraft. In addition, Ukrainian forces hit a mobile PRV-13 radar altimeter, a system used to determine the altitude and coordinates of airborne targets.

Drone site in Oryol Oblast

In Oryol Oblast, near the settlement of Tsymbulova, Ukrainian forces struck the so-called Tsymbulova drone port. It is a site where attack drones used by Russia against Ukraine are stored, prepared and launched.

Earlier strikes

The General Staff noted that during the same night Ukraine's defence forces also hit the Nizhnekamskneftekhim petrochemical complex and the Nizhnekamsk oil refinery in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan. The Monolit plant in Russia's Bryansk Oblast was struck as well.