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Ukraine says it struck Russian base containing fighter jets and glide bombs

The Ukrainian military described the Borisoglebsk facility as the home base of Russia’s Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM aircraft

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A Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber prepares to take off during an air show in Zhukovsky, Russia, in August 2019. Photo: Kremlin via dpa

Ukraine said it struck a Russian air base on Saturday, while Russia continued to pound Ukraine with hundreds of drones overnight as part of a stepped-up bombing campaign that has dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than three-year-old war.

Ukraine’s military General Staff said that Ukrainian forces had struck the Borisoglebsk air base in Russia’s Voronezh region, describing it as the home base of Russia’s Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter aircraft.

Writing on social media, the General Staff said it hit a depot containing glide bombs, a training aircraft and “possibly other aircraft”.

Russian officials did not immediately comment on the attack.

Such attacks on Russian air bases aim to dent Russia’s military capability and demonstrate Ukraine’s capability to hit high-value targets in Russia. Last month, Ukraine said it destroyed more than 40 Russian planes stationed at several airfields deep in Russia’s territory in a surprise drone attack.

An exploded drone is seen in the sky over Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
An exploded drone is seen in the sky over Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Russia fired 322 drones and decoys into Ukraine overnight into Saturday, Ukraine’s air force said. Of these, 157 were shot down and 135 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.

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