Saboteurs caused ‘hysteria’ by ‘blowing up’ an aircraft at a Russian base, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.

Saboteurs caused 'hysteria' by 'blowing up' an aircraft at a Russian base, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.

Unknown saboteurs “blew up” several Russian military aircraft at a base near Moscow earlier this week, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said on Wednesday. This incident is part of a series of attacks on airfields inside Russia’s territory, which have exposed major shortcomings in Moscow’s domestic security apparatus.

The attack took place at the Chkalovsky airfield, where an unidentified group managed to place explosives and detonate them. The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence, also known as the HUR, reported that an Antonov An-148 passenger jet, an Ilyushin Il-20 ground attack aircraft, and a Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter were damaged. These systems have been used in frequent attacks carried out by drones. The HUR stated that the damage caused to the planes makes their rapid restoration improbable, and a tail part of the helicopter was also damaged.

The incident caused “major hysteria in the top military command” as high-profile reconnaissance aircraft and Russia’s “doomsday” planes were stationed at Chkalovsky during that time. While Ukraine revealed the attack and even published satellite imagery of the airbase, it did not claim responsibility. Russia’s defense ministry has launched an investigation into the incident.

This sabotage at Chkalovsky follows other Ukraine-associated attacks on airbases within Russia’s own territory, far from the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. These attacks, including drone attacks, have exposed serious gaps in Moscow’s force protection capabilities and air-defense network.

Despite Russia’s claims of sophisticated and layered defenses, small drones have managed to bypass and overcome these protective measures. In August, Russia reportedly faced over two dozen separate drone attacks. As a result, Moscow has been urgently seeking various solutions.

• Most execs don’t mind if employees use ChatGPT for a second j...
• Austria chooses Embraer’s C-390 aircraft as replacement for r...
• UAW workers strike at Mercedes supplier ZF’s Alabama plant.

One such attack occurred in late August when drones launched from within Russia’s territory destroyed two Ilyushin Il-76s at an airbase and damaged two others. In response, Moscow turned to a newly created civilian volunteer force to patrol the area. Additionally, Russia has implemented makeshift measures such as constructing towers with guns on top and placing car tires on vulnerable aircraft to protect them from aerial threats. In the occupied Crimean peninsula, Moscow even deliberately sank ships to protect a key bridge from potential Ukrainian sea drone attacks.

The series of reported deep strikes is not limited to Russia’s internationally recognized territory. Ukrainian forces have also carried out attacks on strategic Russian targets in and around the occupied Crimean peninsula. Last week, Kyiv’s forces launched a cruise missile strike on a Russian naval base in Sevastopol, causing extensive damage to the facility and two vessels undergoing repairs. Western intelligence believes that the damage will likely pose significant long-term challenges for Russia’s naval operations in the Black Sea area.

These attacks and the vulnerabilities exposed highlight the importance of revisiting Russia’s domestic security apparatus and force protection capabilities. The ongoing threat of drone attacks necessitates a comprehensive and effective defense mechanism. Moscow’s response, including the use of civilian volunteers and makeshift measures, underscores the urgency with which Russia is seeking solutions to enhance its security network.

While Ukraine did not claim responsibility for the recent attack at Chkalovsky airfield, the incidents raise questions about the motivations behind these assaults and the potential consequences for the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As tensions continue to escalate, it is crucial for both parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomatic solutions to avoid further violence and destruction.

• Aircraft
• Russia
• Ukraine