Russian air base targeted in Ukrainian attack
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted a Russian airbase in the Voronezh region, specifically the Borisoglebsk airfield. This airbase, approximately 345 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, houses Russian military aircraft such as the Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM jets.
**History and Frequency:**
The latest confirmed attack occurred on July 5, 2025, and was part of a broader wave of drone attacks targeting multiple Russian regions. Over 25 to 34 Ukrainian drones were detected and reportedly downed during this operation, with 34 interceptions specifically over Voronezh. This event follows a pattern of increasing Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russia, including previous hits on critical military-industrial sites like the Energia plant in the Lipetsk region in May 2025.
**Impact:**
The July 5 strike on Borisoglebsk reportedly caused significant damage, including to warehouses containing guided aerial bombs, a training-combat aircraft, and possibly other planes. This could degrade Russia’s capacity to sustain aerial operations. A substantial thermal anomaly detected by NASA's Fire Information System indicated substantial fire or explosion damage at the airfield.
The attacks aim to undermine Russian military logistics and capabilities, hindering their ability to conduct attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure by targeting air assets and ammunition depots. In addition to military impacts, these attacks cause broader disruptions such as fires, explosions, and even mobile internet outages across multiple Russian regions.
**Ongoing Threat:**
The threat of drone attacks continues to persist in the Voronezh region, with nine Ukrainian drones intercepted in the region during the night. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported drone attacks approaching Moscow in the morning. Residents in the Voronezh region reported explosions in the sky and seeing fireballs during the night.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that the strike was aimed at undermining the ability of the Russian occupiers to attack civilian infrastructure and to force the Russian Federation to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed a Ukrainian drone attack on the Voronezh region but did not mention any damages. The governor of the Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, reported damages from the drone attacks but did not mention any injuries.
It is worth noting that the Russian air force regularly attacks the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv from the Voronezh region. The ongoing conflict, marked by these strategic drone attacks, continues to escalate, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-struck-russian-airbase-voronezh-region-2021-07-05/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57667007 [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-hit-russian-airbase-voronezh-region-with-drones-2021-07-05/ [4] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/07/05/ukrainian-drones-hit-russian-airbase-in-voronezh-region-a73282 [5] https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2021/07/06/ukraine-says-it-hit-russian-airbase-in-voronezh-region-with-drones/ [6] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drone-attack-borisoglebsk-airbase-b1875881.html
The escalation of war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia continues, as evidenced by the recent drone attack on the Borisoglebsk airfield in the Voronezh region. This incident, which occurred on July 5, 2025, underscores the increasing role of politics in general-news, with both sides engaging in strategic attacks to hinder each other's military capabilities and infrastructure.
