Russia’s Chkalovsky air base in the Moscow region is reported to have been targeted by drones in an attack on Sunday night.
Drones were shot down near the military air base, which is located 19 miles northeast of the capital, according to the Astra Telegram channel, which is run by independent Russian journalists.
The outlet shared video footage filmed by residents in which explosions can be heard.
⚡️⚡️Russian “Z-bloggers” report a drone attack on Chkalovsky military airfield in Moscow region.
No official information as of now. pic.twitter.com/dIwdyp5imZ
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 11, 2024
“In Shchyolkovo, Moscow region, several hours ago, residents heard gunfire and alarm. Z-channels reported that an attack on the Chkalovsky military airfield had been repelled,” the channel reported.
Multiple Russian pro-war Telegram channels reported that drones attacking the military airfield were shot down overnight.
Ukrainian news outlet 24 Kanal reported that a siren went off in the area, and that local residents heard Russia’s air defense systems in action.
Newsweek couldn’t independently verify the reports and has contacted Russia’s Defense Ministry and Ukrainian authorities for comment by email.
Russian air bases have been targeted by Ukraine multiple times throughout the war, which began in February 2022. Kyiv has said that Russian military bases are legitimate targets in the conflict, and its forces regularly target them using long-range drones.
Attacks on Russian soil are typically claimed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR).
According to Ukraine’s GUR, Russia stations its government aircraft and specialized reconnaissance aircraft at Chkalovsky air base. In September 2023, the GUR said “saboteurs” “blew up” two aircraft and a helicopter at the airfield, sparking an investigation by Russia’s Investigative Committee.
It said “unknown persons” planted explosives and detonated Russia’s Antonov AN-148 and Ilyushin IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft—both belonging to the Russian Air Forces’ 354th Special Purpose Aviation Regiment—as well as a Mil MI-28N attack helicopter.
“The event caused quite a bit of hysteria in the higher military corridors,” the GUR said.
“The tail part of the helicopter was damaged by the explosion. Another AN-148, which was next to the others in the parking lot, received minor damage,” it added.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces struck Russia’s Morozovsk military air base, destroying a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber and ammunition.
Ukrainian Defense Intelligence said the attack in the southern Rostov region on August 3 destroyed one of Russia’s $36 million midrange Su-34 strike jets and damaged two others.
The Morozovsk military airfield is located more than 160 miles from Ukraine’s front line. It hosts Russian tactical Su-27 and Su-34 fighter-bombers, which are used to launch airstrikes against Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s SBU.
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