On the night of October 4, 2026, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) successfully struck the military airfield "Khanskaya" in the Republic of Adygea, located approximately 500 km from Ukraine. As a result of the operation conducted by drones from the Special Operations Center "Alpha", two Russian fighters — Su-35 and Su-34 — as well as an ammunition depot were hit.
Details of the Strike
The attack on the "Khanskaya" airfield marked an important phase in the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia. According to the SBU, the damaged aircraft are carriers of guided aerial bombs (KABs), which Russia actively uses to strike Ukrainian military positions and cities. Specifically, it was noted that:
- Su-35 — a multirole fighter, valued at approximately $100 million.
- Su-34 — a frontline bomber that is a key aircraft in Russian tactical aviation, with an estimated value of around $50 million.
- An ammunition depot on the airfield was also targeted.
Reactions from Authorities
The Security Service of Ukraine confirmed the success of the operation and noted that satellite data is currently awaited for final confirmation of the destruction of the aircraft. This strike demonstrates the increasing capability of Ukrainian forces to conduct strikes at considerable distances from the front line, which may influence the strategy of Russian troops in the region.
Context of the Conflict
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for several years, and operations like this are part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to counter aggression. The destruction of Russian aircraft that are actively used for attacks on Ukrainian territories is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of Ukrainian cities and military forces.