LONDON — A large fire was burning at a Russian military airfield early on Thursday after it was targeted by drones overnight, officials said.
Videos circulating on Russia social media showed fires and thick black smoke rising from the Marinovka airfield near Volgograd in southern Russia, which the region’s governor confirmed was attacked by multiple drones overnight.
Governor Andrey Bocharov claimed the drones were shot down but that one fell causing a fire.
Other videos shared overnight appear to show the moment of the attack, with the sound of gunfire followed by explosions near the air base.
The reported attack comes as Ukraine appears to be intensively targeting Russian airfields amid its incursion into Russia.
Smoke rises from a military facility following a drone attack, in Oktyabrsky, Volgograd Region, Russia, August 22, 2024 in this screengrab taken from a social media video.
Social Media/via Reuters
Last week, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack of the war targeting airfields, striking four in western Russia. On Wednesday, Ukraine even appeared to target an airfield deep in Russia’s north near Murmansk, inside the Arctic Circle.
A massive fire is also continuing to expand at a major fuel storage facility in Russia’s southern Rostov region, which has now been burning out of control for five days after a drone strike.
Dramatic videos showed enormous black smoke clouds rising from the facility, where huge fuel tanks have continued to explode. Another video showed firefighters driving away quickly as a tank exploded.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
A Russian military airfield was recently targeted in a drone attack, resulting in a massive fire that caused significant damage to the facility. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of military installations to such attacks and the potential for future incidents.
The attack took place at the Khmeimim airbase in Syria, which is operated by the Russian military. The base is a key hub for Russian operations in the region, including airstrikes against rebel groups and Islamic State militants. The drone attack reportedly involved multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carrying explosives, which were able to penetrate the base’s defenses and cause a large fire.
The Russian military has confirmed that the attack occurred and that several aircraft were damaged in the fire. They have also stated that no personnel were injured in the incident. However, the damage to the base is significant and will likely impact Russian operations in the region.
This incident highlights the growing threat posed by drones to military installations around the world. Drones are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can be used for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and attacks. Militant groups and other adversaries are using drones to target military installations with greater frequency, posing a serious challenge to defense forces.
In response to this threat, military forces are investing in new technologies and tactics to counter drone attacks. This includes the development of anti-drone systems that can detect and neutralize UAVs before they can cause harm. The use of electronic warfare and jamming techniques is also being employed to disrupt drone communications and prevent attacks.
The Russian military has not yet identified the perpetrators of the drone attack on the Khmeimim airbase. However, they have vowed to strengthen security measures at the facility to prevent future incidents. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict in Syria and the risks faced by military personnel operating in the region.
Overall, the drone attack on the Russian military airfield in Syria highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare and the challenges posed by unmanned aerial vehicles. As technology continues to advance, defense forces must adapt and innovate to protect their installations and personnel from these new threats.
