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Drone Strike Hits Major Russian Airbase Deep Inside Country. Here’s What We Know

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Vlad Litnarovych
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Drone Strike Hits Major Russian Airbase Deep Inside Country. Here’s What We Know
Smoke rises after a drone strike on a Migalovo airbase near the city of Tver, Tver region, May 25, 2025. (Source: Supernova Plus)

Long-range drone strike reportedly hit the Migalovo airbase near the Russian city of Tver, over 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, according to Russian independent media outlet Astra on May 25.

The airbase serves as a key hub for Russia’s military transport aviation. It is home to the 196th and 8th Military Transport Aviation Regiments of the Russian Aerospace Forces and hosts large transport aircraft such as the Il-76MD and An-124.

The Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A transport airplane (also known as 'Project 476') at MAKS-2013 International Airshow near Zhukovsky, Russia. (Source: Getty Images)
The Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A transport airplane (also known as 'Project 476') at MAKS-2013 International Airshow near Zhukovsky, Russia. (Source: Getty Images)
Russia’s Antonov An-124 transport aircraft departs from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport for Russia after finishing the transport mission ahead of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 5, 2024, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. (Source: Getty Images)
Russia’s Antonov An-124 transport aircraft departs from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport for Russia after finishing the transport mission ahead of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 5, 2024, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. (Source: Getty Images)

Residents captured footage showing drones approaching the base, with Russian personnel attempting to shoot them down using small arms and other weapons.

In one clip, a drone is seen evading defensive fire and exploding within the perimeter of the airfield. Another video from a different angle shows the moment of the blast, appearing to confirm the strike.

Tver region governor Igor Rudenya acknowledged an attempted attack, stating that air defenses shot down five drones and that there was “no damage to infrastructure.”

However, residents reported seeing a large fire and thick black smoke rising from the direction of the base.

The Migalovo airbase is not only home to strategic military transport assets but is also adjacent to a military unit, adding to the facility’s significance.

Earlier, a Russian defense facility in the city of Yelets, Lipetsk region, was struck by drones for the second time in two days, according to local authorities and eyewitness reports.

The primary target of the strike was the “Energia” plant, a major supplier of components for Russia’s military-industrial complex.

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