Largest UAV attack on Russia - kamikaze drones hit at least four Il-76 military transport planes
On the night of 30 August 2023, kamikaze drones launched the most massive strike on the territory of the Russian Federation. At least of those that are publicly known. Several regions were hit.
Here's What We Know
The Pskov region took the brunt of the strike. Four Il-76 military transport aircraft were struck at the airport of the city of Pskov. It is reported that two of the planes burned down and two more were damaged.
Officially, Russian authorities are only reporting two aircraft, but they are known for regularly underreporting losses. For example, when videos of explosions and a fire at the airport appeared on social media, the Russian defence ministry said it had successfully intercepted all the drones.
Pskov airport has been used by the military. The 334-military transport aviation regiment, which has Il-76 aircraft in service, is stationed here. They began to leave the airport in emergency mode after the first explosions
Judging by the published video, the Russians used only assault rifles and anti-aircraft guns to intercept the drones. Local residents were unable to film the anti-aircraft missile launches.
After the drone attack, naturally, all flights scheduled for August 30, 2023 were cancelled. In addition, drones attacked facilities in the Bryansk, Orel, Kaluga, Tula and Ryazan regions of the Russian Federation.
It should be noted that in the Ryazan region, air defence forces shot down two kamikaze drones near an airfield and a strategic aviation base. In the Kaluga region, a drone attacked an oil refinery.
The extent of the damage is being specified. Airspace was closed in the Tula and parts of the Moscow region after a UAV raid. Dozens of flights were delayed twice overnight in the Russian capital.