Ukraine's SBU says drones struck two Russian fighter jets at airfield in Adygea
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said its drones struck a Russian Su-35 fighter, a Su-34 fighter-bomber, and an ammunition depot at the Khanskaya military airfield in Russia's Republic of Adygea during the night of October 4. The airfield is roughly 500 km from the Ukrainian border. Russian authorities had not publicly confirmed damage to the airfield at the time of reporting, and the head of Adygea said only that 28 drones were intercepted near Maykop, with damage reported to private homes.
Key points
- The SBU said drones from its Alpha Special Operations Center struck the Khanskaya airfield in the Republic of Adygea during the night of October 4.
- The SBU said a Russian Su-35 multirole fighter and a Su-34 fighter-bomber were hit, along with an ammunition depot at the airfield.
- The airfield is located approximately 500 km from the Ukrainian border.
- The SBU estimates the combined export value of the two aircraft at about $150 million (Su-35 at roughly $100 million, Su-34 at roughly $50 million).
- The SBU describes both aircraft as carriers of guided aerial bombs (KABs) Russia uses against Ukrainian positions and cities.
- The head of Adygea, Murat Kumpilov, said 28 drones were intercepted overnight near Maykop and reported damage to roofs and windows of private homes, but did not confirm damage to the airfield.
- Russia's Defense Ministry said 559 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across several regions including Adygea; Radio Liberty said it could not promptly independently verify the SBU's claims.
Why it matters
The strike targeted two combat aircraft types that Russia uses to launch guided aerial bombs against Ukrainian front-line positions and cities, and demonstrated the reach of SBU drone operations at roughly 500 km from the Ukrainian border. The SBU estimates the two hit aircraft together at around $150 million in export value.
What happened
During the night of October 4, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said drones of its Alpha Special Operations Center struck the Khanskaya military airfield in Russia's Republic of Adygea. According to the SBU, a Russian Su-35 multirole fighter and a Su-34 fighter-bomber were hit, along with an ammunition depot on the airfield's territory. The SBU described the Su-35 as one of the most modern multi-role fighters in the Russian military and the Su-34 as a key aircraft of Russian tactical aviation, and said both types are used to carry guided aerial bombs against Ukrainian positions and cities. The airfield lies approximately 500 km from the Ukrainian border. The SBU estimated the Su-35's export value at around $100 million and the Su-34's at around $50 million, for a combined roughly $150 million. Russian authorities and the military had not publicly confirmed the strike on the airfield at the time of reporting.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
All supplied sources are Ukrainian outlets, and they lead with the SBU's account, naming the specific aircraft types hit and the agency's monetary estimate of the damage. The articles frame the Su-35 and Su-34 as carriers of KABs used against Ukrainian positions and cities, presenting the strike as a direct response to Russian strikes on Ukraine.
Where reporting differs
The SBU says its drones damaged an Su-35, an Su-34, and an ammunition depot at the Khanskaya airfield. The head of Adygea, Murat Kumpilov, reported only that 28 Ukrainian drones were intercepted near Maykop and that private homes suffered roof and window damage, without mentioning any damage to the airfield. Russia's Defense Ministry said 559 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across several regions including Adygea, but Russian authorities and the military had not publicly confirmed the strike on the airfield. Radio Liberty also said it could not promptly independently verify the SBU's claims.
Background
According to General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine figures cited at the time of reporting, Russia has lost 443 aircraft since the start of the full-scale invasion. The Su-35 and Su-34 are described by the SBU as among the most modern aircraft in Russian service, with the Su-34 characterized as a key asset of Russian tactical aviation.