Ukrainian drones attacked the Russian military airfield «Khalino» in the Kursk region. According to preliminary reports, a fighter jet was hit as a result of the strikes MiG-29, as well as an anti-aircraft missile and gun system «Pantsir-S1», which was intended to provide air defence for the facility.
A video of the attack, filmed by a Ukrainian drone, has been published online. The footage shows strikes on targets within and around a Russian military facility. The extent of the damage to the equipment is currently being assessed.
Drones attacked the «Khalino» military airfield»
The attack was directed at the «Khalino», also known as Kursk-Vostochny, is situated near Kursk. The facility is used by the Russian Air Force.
According to reports, a MiG-29 fighter jet was one of the targets of Ukrainian drones. There are also reports that a Russian «Shell-C1».
Footage of the attack shows strike drones in action in the immediate vicinity of the targets. However, at the time of publication, there is no independent confirmation that the MiG-29 and the air defence system have been completely destroyed; therefore, the report refers specifically to their being hit.
The «Pantsir-S1» system came under attack»
The report of a «Pantsir-S1» being hit has attracted particular attention. Systems of this type are designed, in particular, to counter unmanned aerial vehicles and to protect key military installations from air attacks.
Should the damage to the complex be confirmed, the strike will demonstrate the ability of Ukrainian drones to penetrate the vicinity of Russian military airfields even in the presence of air defence systems.
Ukraine continues to target Russian military aircraft
This is not the first time that Russian combat aircraft have been hit by drones. In early July, the Main Intelligence Directorate reported the destruction of a Russian MiG-29 at the military airfield «Belbek» in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
Strikes on air bases serve a dual purpose: they can put aircraft out of action whilst they are still on the ground and, at the same time, force Russia to step up defences at its rear military installations. This was yet another example of Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems being used against expensive aircraft and air defence systems on Russian territory.
