In a significant blow to the Kremlin's air capabilities, Ukrainian forces have successfully destroyed several prized Russian strategic bombers in a devastating long-range strike on a military airfield in occupied Crimea.
The attack, which targeted the Dzhankoi airbase overnight, resulted in the loss of at least three advanced Tu-22M3 bombers—aircraft crucial to Russia's long-range missile campaigns against Ukrainian cities. Satellite imagery and reports from the Ukrainian military confirm the successful strike, marking one of the most damaging attacks on Russian air assets in recent months.
Strategic Impact on the Conflict
This operation severely degrades Russia's ability to launch aerial assaults from the Crimean peninsula, a region Moscow has heavily militarised since its illegal annexation in 2014. The Tu-22M3, capable of carrying heavy payloads including hypersonic missiles, has been a key asset in Russia's bombing strategy.
Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, hailed the operation, stating the bombers would "no longer threaten Ukrainian territory." The strike demonstrates Kyiv's growing capability to hit high-value targets deep behind enemy lines, despite being outgunned.
Kharkiv Braces for Renewed Offensive
The aerial victory comes as Ukraine's top military official issued a stark warning about a potential new Russian ground offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region. The area has seen intensified shelling and aerial bombardment in recent days, raising fears of a major push by Moscow's forces.
Local authorities are preparing for all scenarios, though no large-scale assault has yet materialised. The situation remains highly volatile, with Ukrainian forces on high alert.
International Response and Ongoing Support
The successful strike underscores the critical importance of continued Western military aid. The recent approval of a substantial US aid package, after months of political delay, is expected to bolster Ukraine's defensive capabilities in the coming weeks.
As the conflict enters its third year, this operation serves as a powerful reminder of Ukraine's resilience and its ability to innovate and strike back against a larger adversary, shaping the course of the ongoing war.
