Ukrainian forces launched missile strikes on drone manufacturing and repair facilities in Rostov-on-Don during the night, targeting three specific sites within Russia’s supply chain.
The operation involved Neptune coastal missile systems operated by the Ukrainian Navy, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. The strikes hit a tactical combat drone enterprise operated by Ionos, a warehouse storing completed unmanned aerial vehicles for the firm, and an Aero-Hit service center that repairs Veles reconnaissance and combat drones.
Footage from Akhtubinsk, where the airfield and its infrastructure were hit today. The video appears to show the detonation. pic.twitter.com/2qMBzLC1ZU
“Every night Russian drones attack Ukrainian cities, military posts and energy infrastructure. Part of them are produced, stored and repaired in Rostov-on-Don,” the Ukrainian military said in a Telegram briefing. The General Staff added that the operation aimed to degrade Russian military and economic potential under the right to self-defense outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Ukrainian forces strike Lipetsk airfield and Samara oil station
On November 13, Ukrainian defense forces struck the Lipetsk-2 military airfield in the Lipetsk region.
⚡️ Ukraine reportedly strikes Russian military airfield in Astrakhan Oblast, at least 30 explosions heard. According to the Telegram channel Exilenova Plus, the Ukrainian strike targeted the Akhtubinsk military airfield, including its aircraft parking areas, ammunition depots,…
The Focus-News agency reported that the Lipetsk strike damaged a special equipment maintenance hangar, an aviation fuel tank, and the central command and dispatch post. Sukhoi Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces are normally based at the airfield.
On the same day, long-range drones operated by the Alpha Special Operations Center of the Security Service of Ukraine attacked an oil pumping station near the settlement of Prosvet in the Samara region. Preliminary reports indicated that the drones struck oil storage tanks, igniting a fire at the facility.
Runway on fire: Akhtubinsk airfield and a drone port hit During the night of 15 November, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck two sites from which russia launches aircraft and strike drones into the sky. A key target was Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan Oblast, located about… pic.twitter.com/biZHuBmZUg
Akhtubinsk Airbase and Oryol Drone Site Attacked
During the night of November 15, Ukrainian forces struck two additional key military targets inside Russia: the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region and a drone base near Tsimbulovo in the Oryol region.
The Akhtubinsk facility houses the Russian Defense Ministry’s 929th State Flight Test Center, which tests new aviation equipment and hosts Su-34 fighter-bombers used for glide-bomb attacks against Ukraine. Segabg.com said that the European Union added the Valery Chkalov test center to its dual-use export restriction list in February 2023.
Local residents in Akhtubinsk reported hearing approximately 20 to 30 explosions near the airfield, accompanied by a fire and a secondary detonation at a missile component storage warehouse. Astrakhan regional governor Igor Babushkin said that air defense units intercepted more than 30 drones over the northern part of the region, while municipal officials in Akhtubinsk reported no damage to local infrastructure.
What weapons and targets were hit in Rostov-on-Don?
What weapons were used in the Rostov-on-Don attack?
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that the strikes on Rostov-on-Don were carried out using Neptune missiles launched from a coastal missile system.
This past week alone, Russia has used more than 2,300 attack drones, 1,590 aerial bombs, and 15 missiles of various types against Ukraine. Brutal strikes that are difficult to counter. Overnight and into this morning, the Russians targeted energy infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia… pic.twitter.com/Dq83GxIndV
Which companies were targeted in Rostov?
The targets included an enterprise and storage facility belonging to Ionos, alongside a Rostov service center operated by Aero-Hit.
When did the latest wave of strikes occur?
The missile strikes on Rostov occurred overnight.
⚡️ Update: Ukraine strikes Russian military airfield in Astrakhan Oblast, drone launch site in Oryol Oblast, General Staff says. In Astrakhan Oblast, drones targeted the Akhtubinsk airfield, which hosts Russia's 929th State Flight Test Center, one of the country's main…
Worth a look