The full impact of a Ukrainian drone attack on Morozovsk airport in Russia's Rostov Oblast during the night of August 2-3 is now clear.
Ukrainian forces launched 40 drones, with 18 successfully hitting their targets.
The attack led to the destruction of a Russian Su-34 aircraft and an ammunition depot.
According to Tech WP, the attack targeted the base of the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment, resulting in a fire that was visible from a distance.
Once the smoke cleared, satellite images confirmed the losses, including the destruction of a Su-34, a valuable asset for the Russian military. The strike also damaged the air traffic control center and smaller pieces of engineering equipment.
The loss of even one Su-34 is a big blow to Russia, as their arms industry can only produce about 10 of these aircraft each year.
Ukrainian military analyst Taras Khmut noted that the production rate of these bombers has been declining, with only four Su-34s added to the Russian Air Force so far in 2024.
The Su-34 is a multi-role tactical bomber, capable of performing both air combat and bombing missions. It can reach speeds of up to 1,900 km/h and has a maximum range of about 4,000 km. The aircraft can carry up to 8 tons of weapons across 12 hardpoints under its fuselage.
In addition to the destroyed Su-34, satellite photos confirmed the destruction of an ammunition depot at the airport.
The air traffic control center, although not completely destroyed, was damaged and will likely require significant time to restore full functionality.
