Ukraine’s Navy said Thursday that it destroyed six Russian Su-34M fighter-bombers in an overnight missile strike on the Borisoglebsk military airfield in southwestern Russia’s Voronezh region.
The Navy said the attack was carried out using its Neptune coastal missile system. It also reported damage to equipment supporting flight operations, a fire and secondary explosions.
Ukrainian monitoring channels published satellite images purportedly showing damage to an aircraft parking area. The reported destruction of the six warplanes could not be independently verified.
Last night, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck an airfield in the Voronezh region. Four Su-34 aircraft were destroyed and two more Su-34s were hit. The Russians used them to terrorize our people. These very warplanes were ready to launch new attacks on Ukraine and were loaded with aerial bombs. Our Long Neptune missile was used to strike the target. I thank the warriors of the Ukrainian Navy for their precision! Our long-range sanctions also reached a site in the Oryol region used to store and launch attack drones. A target was also hit in the Black Sea. These are our justified responses to all of Russia’s terror against Ukraine. Russia is dragging out the war, so our long-range operations will continue.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 15, 2026
Russian authorities did not acknowledge a strike on the airfield.
Voronezh region Governor Alexander Gusev said air defenses intercepted 33 drones and “several jet-powered aerial targets.” Falling debris damaged outbuildings at several private homes and a car in the regional capital, Voronezh, he said.
Residents of Borisoglebsk reported explosions and a large fire, with smoke visible from several parts of the city.
The military airfield lies about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) east of Borisoglebsk.
Russia uses Su-34 fighter-bombers to launch guided glide bombs at Ukrainian positions and populated areas. The Su-34M is an upgraded version of the aircraft.
In September, Ukraine’s military said it had destroyed a Russian MiG-29 fighter jet near the Millerovo airfield in the Rostov region and a Ka-27 helicopter near the Yeysk airfield in the Krasnodar region.
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces had previously reported striking four aircraft at the Shagol airfield in the Chelyabinsk region: two Su-57 fighters, a Su-34 and another Sukhoi aircraft of an unidentified model. Those targets were about 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
This article was translated with the help of artificial intelligence and was reviewed by a Moscow Times editor before publication. Learn more about our newsroom's AI policy here.
Read this article in Russian at The Moscow Times' Russian service.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.