KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A chimney that exploded at an airport in Russia’s southern Kursk region on the border with Ukraine was the result of a drone strike, the regional governor said Tuesday, a day after Moscow accused Kyiv of attacking two air bases with drones. Russia deep internal and introduced a new wave of missile movements on Ukrainian territory. Kursk Governor Roman Starovoy said in a Telegram report that the drone strike ignited an oil tank in the Kursk airport domain and that the chimney was under equipment at the site.
Ukrainian officials have officially shown the wear and tear of drone strikes, maintaining their obvious policy of planned ambiguity as they have done in the afterlife regarding high-profile strikes against Russian targets.
Presidential adviser Mikhail Podolyak mocked Moscow on Twitter.
“If something is introduced into the airspace of other countries, the faster or later unknown flying elements will return to the starting point,” Podoliak wrote. “The Earth is round. “
The unprecedented attacks in Russia, more than 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the Ukrainian border, threatened a primary escalation of the nine-month war. One of the airfields houses bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The strikes also exposed the vulnerability of some of Russia’s most strategic military sites, raising questions about the effectiveness of its air defenses.
Strikes seriously have Moscow’s reputation
The Russian Defense Ministry said 3 Russian servicemen were killed and 4 others injured by the rubble, and two aircraft were damaged.
The ministry specified where the drones came from. But Russian army bloggers said they were likely introduced through Ukrainian scouts and argued that the moves inflicted serious damage on Moscow’s reputation.
The attacks on the Engels base in the Saratov region on the Volga and the Dyagilevo base in the Ryazan region of western Russia were part of Ukraine’s efforts for Russia’s long-range bombing force, the ministry said.
The Engels base houses nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers that have been in movements opposed to Ukraine. Dyagilevo is home to tankers used for air-to-air refueling.
In a daily intelligence update on the war in Ukraine, the British Defense Ministry said Russia would likely view the attacks on the base as “some of the most strategically significant disruptions in military coverage since its invasion of Ukraine. “
He said the bombers will most likely disperse to other airfields.
Russia sees no prospect of peace talks at the moment
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian government will “take mandatory measures” for coverage of key services in light of the latest Ukrainian attacks.
Speaking on a conference call Tuesday, Peskov said that “the continuation of such terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian regime poses a threat. “
Peskov reiterated that Russia sees no prospect of peace talks at this time, adding that “the Russian Federation will have to do it to achieve its stated goals. “
Meanwhile, Russia has maintained intense attacks on Ukrainian territory, bombing cities overnight near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, leaving more than 9,000 homes without running water, local Ukrainian officials said.
The cities are across the Dnieper River from the nuclear plant, which Russian forces seized at the start of the war. Russia and Ukraine have been accusing each other for months of bombing and around the plant.
The head of Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, which borders Russia, said Moscow had introduced more than 80 missile and heavy artillery strikes on its territory. Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said the moves destroyed a monastery near the border with the town of Shalyhyne.
This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.
This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.
This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.
This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.