Ukraine drone strike destroys Russian flagship supersonic bomber

 

Ukrainian authorities have reportedly destroyed a supersonic Russian flagship in a major drone strike, according to the BBC and Ukrainian media outlets. 

The media reports were based on pictures shared on social media that showed the Tupolev Tu-22 long-range bomber, a long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber, on fire. The photographs were examined by the BBC and Ukrainian media.

Using previous satellite photographs of the airbase, the BBC said that the burning plane was located south of St. Petersburg, Russia.

On Saturday, the defence ministry of Russia said that a Ukrainian drone had targeted a military airfield in Novgorod, the largest city of Novgorod Oblast, Russia. Reportedly, the drone caused a fire and damaged one warplane. However, Ukraine did not acknowledge the strike. The Russian ministry reportedly stopped the fire. 

The Russian ministry said in a statement, “As a result of the terrorist attack on the territory of the airfield, a fire broke out in the parking lot of aircraft, which was quickly eliminated by fire fighters. One aircraft was damaged.”

Drone airstrikes have increased in recent months. The Crimean peninsula, which Russia took from Ukraine in 2014, also witnessed enhanced drone strikes. Russia said that the Crimean peninsula was the target of a missile launched from Ukraine.

According to media reports and sources, nearly 90 airplane flights into and out of the Russian capital were hampered because of the recent drone attacks. A Russian official also said that at least two people were injured because of the drone attacks. 

The governor of Kaluga region said that the drone downed in Kaluga region had landed on a military airfield, causing a fire. Subsequently, Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) said that the Russian Shaykovka military airstrip was attacked in the Kaluga region.

According to reports, Russian officials have frequently warned that military drones flying over Moscow, the capital of Russia, can create a massive catastrophe.