Satellite images reveal evidence of damage following Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian airfields
In a recent analysis, numerous specialists have weighed in on new video and satellite images, suggesting that as many as 11 Russian bomber aircraft and a transport plane were severely damaged or obliterated during a drone attack in Ukraine on Sunday.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released a video on Wednesday, offering greater insight into the assault, which has been shrouded in ambiguity. Ukraine's government alleged that over 40 aircraft were nixed in an attack on a minimum of four air bases on Monday.
Two US officials later declared that around 10 planes were incinerated, and the overall count was approximately 20, during the attack.
The video discharged by the SBU on Wednesday opens with a vista of the Olenya air base, where multiple drones dash toward Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers and an An-12 transport plane. In several clips, explosions caused by other drones and burning aircraft can be seen.
According to defense intelligence firm Janes, four Tu-95 bombers and one An-12 were squashed at Olenya. Janes reached this conclusion by analyzing video and multiple satellite images.
Analysts with the private intelligence firm MAIAR, however, stated in a report provided to our website that no substantial damage was perceptible at the base, and imagery suggested eight A-50s remained in their previous locations.
Two A-50 aircraft were spotted at Russia's Ivanovo air base in a video posted by SBU on June 4.
Subsequent clips in the SBU's video reveal drones landing on and around large airplanes at Russia's Dyagilevo air base. Scorch marks on the ground led Janes to infer that Dyagilevo may have been targeted during the attack, though there was no evident wreckage at the site.
MAIAR's analysts also noted ground scarring near areas where planes were stored.
After viewing the SBU's video, open-source intelligence analyst Brady Africk informed our website that the video appears to show evidence of damage to at least one Tu-22 bomber.
Some experts report that at least 12 Russian aircraft, with an emphasis on at least seven Tu-95 bombers, were damaged or destroyed during the drone attacks. However, the full extent of the destruction remains uncertain, as more imagery continues to emerge.
- The recent analysis of video and satellite images suggests that at least 12 Russian aircraft, including at least seven Tu-95 bombers, were damaged or destroyed during the drone attacks in Ukraine.
- The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released a video offering insight into the attack in Ukraine, which reportedly destroyed over 40 aircraft at multiple air bases, but the exact number and extent of damage remains unclear due to conflicting reports.
- International experts are analyzing various video and satellite imagery from the attack sites in Ukraine to gain a clearer understanding of the extent of damage inflicted on Russian aircraft, with some reports suggesting that as many as 11 Russian bomber aircraft and a transport plane were severely damaged or obliterated.
