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Ukraine Strikes Russian Airbase in Savasleyka, Damaging MiG-31K and Su-30/34 Jets

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Ukraine Strikes Russian Airbase in Savasleyka, Damaging MiG-31K and Su-30/34 Jets
The MIG-31k fighter jet, with the Kinzhal missile system, performs during Victory Day in Red Square in Moscow, Russia on June 24, 2020. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, in coordination with other elements of the country’s defense, have struck the Savasleyka airbase in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on June 9.

The airfield is known to serve as a launch site for Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory, including hosting MiG-31K fighter jets armed with Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles.

“Russian forces use this military facility to conduct strikes against Ukraine. MiG-31K aircraft, which are carriers of Kinzhal missiles, regularly take off from this base,” the statement said.

Russian Sukhoi SU-30 SM performs during the MAKS-2017 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky, Moscow Region, on July 19, 2017. (Source: Getty Images)
Russian Sukhoi SU-30 SM performs during the MAKS-2017 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky, Moscow Region, on July 19, 2017. (Source: Getty Images)
A group of technicians meets the Su-34 on the runway. (Source: Getty Images)
A group of technicians meets the Su-34 on the runway. (Source: Getty Images)

Preliminary reports indicate that two Russian military aircraft were damaged in the strike, possibly a MiG-31 and either a Su-30 or Su-34.

Ukrainian officials noted that battle damage assessments are ongoing and the final results are still being verified.

Earlier, on June 1, Ukraine’s Security Service launched Operation “Spiderweb,” a coordinated drone campaign that targeted four Russian airfields—Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo. Ukraine claims the operation damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft.

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