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Ukraine Broke Through Russia’s S-400 Shield in Deep Strike on Shahed Drone Hub, Satellite Imagery Reveals
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Satellite images of the Primorsko-Akhtarsk airbase—one of Russia’s main launch sites for long-range drones—have confirmed significant damage to drone infrastructure following Ukrainian strikes, Ukraine’s geospatial intelligence project Kyberboroshno reported on August 7.
According to analysts, a nighttime drone attack between August 1 and 2 resulted in hits on three structures used to store Iranian-designed Shahed drones.
“High activity by cargo vehicles and UAVs was observed around these buildings,” researchers noted, citing satellite photos.
Additionally, a facility for storing and preparing aerial munitions at the base was critically damaged. Fires and unusual activity were recorded in multiple sections of the airbase, including one of the launch pads used for drone deployments.
While Primorsko-Akhtarsk primarily serves Russian tactical aviation, Moscow has constructed dedicated infrastructure nearby to support its growing reliance on drone strikes against Ukraine.
This so-called “droneport” consists of three compact zones designated exclusively for the storage, preparation, and launch of strike UAVs.
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Geospatial analyst Dnipro identified eight fixed drone launch systems on the base. In addition, the adjacent airstrip is reportedly used for mobile drone launches conducted from vehicles.
To protect the site, Russia has deployed an S-400 surface-to-air missile battery with six launchers and two radar stations. Local media reported their activity on the night of the Ukrainian drone strike. But the anti-missile systems apparently failed to stop the drones from reaching their target.
However, Primorsko-Akhtarsk is not Russia’s only launch platform for long-range UAVs.
Dnipro also identified two additional droneports in the Oryol and Bryansk regions.
One of them is located near the village of Tsymbulovo in the Oryol region, about 175 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
This is believed to be Russia’s main hub for long-range drone operations. The site is among the largest known and was featured in a Russian state propaganda report showing launches of drones targeting Ukraine, aired by the Zvezda TV channel.
The Tsymbulovo base features eight fixed launchers and a 2.8-kilometer stretch of road used for launching drones from vehicle platforms. It also houses 15 hardened bunkers, one of which was previously destroyed in a strike using three Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
🔴 This is how the Russian forces launch Shahed drones to attack Ukraine, using American Dodge pickup trucks, as seen in videos released by Russian state media. pic.twitter.com/Qhr04xzVBM
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) July 20, 2025
Another launch site has been identified near the village of Navlya in the Bryansk region. Though smaller, it mimics the infrastructure of the larger Tsymbulovo complex. The Navlya site has three drone storage bunkers but lacks fixed launchers, instead relying entirely on vehicle-based drone deployments.
Earlier, reports emerged that Russian forces have set up a reconnaissance drone production facility in temporarily occupied Luhansk.
