A drone attacked a Russian airbase 215 kilometres from Ukraine - the airfield is home to supersonic nuclear-capable Tu-22M3 bombers

By: Maksim Panasovskiy | 21.08.2023, 17:14
A drone attacked a Russian airbase 215 kilometres from Ukraine - the airfield is home to supersonic nuclear-capable Tu-22M3 bombers

An unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle has attacked the Russian Shaykovka airbase in Kaluga Region. It is located 215 kilometres from the border with Ukraine.

Here's What We Know

Russian media wrote about the attack. They claim that it was a Ukrainian drone equipped with an improvised explosive device and an improved battery to increase the flight range.

According to the propaganda media, the drone was spotted and destroyed. A crater from the explosion and a fire formed at the crash site, but the fire was extinguished without the involvement of emergency ministry officials. One aircraft was damaged.

It is worth noting that similar statements were made two days ago after the attack on the Soltsy airfield 700 kilometres from Ukraine. However, the next day photos of a blazing Tu-22M3 bomber appeared. You can see them below.

What is interesting is that there are also Tu-22M3 aircraft at the Shaikovka airbase. They are nuclear weapons carriers, but are mainly used to launch Kh-22 anti-ship cruise missiles. In 2022, Russia used Tu-22M3s to bomb Mariupol.

Ukraine has not commented on the information about the attack on the Shaykovka base.