Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
On August 30, the Russian airport in the city of Pskov used both for military and civilian purposes was attacked by Ukrainian UAVs. LINK The attack raised a lot of suspicions, since the airfield is located near the Russian border with the Baltic states and far from the Ukrainian territory. On August 31, both Moscow and Kiev officially commented on the incident and the satellite imagery revealed the results of the attack.
Zelensky officially declared the use of “long—range weapons” at a target 700 km away from Ukraine. He did not reveal what exactly was the target but it was clear that he meant the Pskov airfield attacked the day before. Playing upon his words, the President of Ukraine did not dare to take responsibility for the attack but he was too excited to declare another victory.
Zelensky also did not disclose what kind of “long-range weapons” the AFU used for the strikes. Some sources supposed, that the Ukrainian military used the Bober (Beaver) UAVs, the declared flight range of which is 800 km, and after modification can reportedly reach up to 1000 km. These UAVs were previously used for the attacks on Russian facilities in the rear areas.
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The drones were officially presented this year. The device is a monoplane with the maximum speed of no more than 150 km/h. To defeat the target, a cumulative charge K3-6 of the Soviet times is used, equivalent in power to 1.8 kg TNT. The average price of one UAV is about 100-110 thousand dollars. In total, according to Ukrainian sources, there are about 150 devices in production.
Some other UAVs used by the Ukrainian military have flight range of about 1000 km. The official reports are yet to reveal what weapons were used during the attack in Pskov.
On the night of August 30, the Ukrainian military likely gained some advantage with the mass use of the UAVs. The number of UAVs were deployed and how many of them were destroyed by Russian forces was not revealed.
However, such an attack would not be possible without NATO intelligence, which is constantly providing the Ukrainian military with the data on Russian radars and air defence systems.
The same conclusion was made by the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She noted that Ukrainian drones would not have been able to fly such a distance and carry out an attack without the support of Western satellites. Moscow emphasized that the attacks of Ukrainian drones on the territory of the Russian Federation will not remain unanswered.
However, the Russian official did not comment on the suspicions that the attack could be carried out from the territory of NATO member states. Thus, Moscow does not consider it as a direct involvement of the Alliance in the war.
Soon after the attack on the Pskov airport, the speaker of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, proudly claimed that “at least 4 Il-76 transport aircraft” were destroyed by Ukrainian drones. However, the victory turned out to be another exaggeration.
The satellite imagery first shared by the Ukrainian military confirmed damage to at least two Il-76 aircraft. Most likely, the Ukrainian UAVs targeted the fuel tanks that are located near the wings in an attempt to inflame the aircraft but it did not happen. However, the aircraft require major repairs.
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Click to see full-size image
Click to see full-size image
Another satellite imagery reportedly confirmed that two more aircraft burned down.
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Footage showing the burning Il-76 was shared immediately after attack.
Thus, apparently, the total losses are 2 destroyed and 2 more damaged IL-76s.
Even if carried out from the Ukrainian territory, the attack on Russian airlifters is another sign of the approaching escalation between Russia and Moscow. Il-76 pose no threat to the Ukrainian military and their damage is unlikely to have any significant influence on the ongoing battles on the Ukrainian frontlines. On the other hand, they are designed to support Russian military operations in more distant regions of the world. The Ukrainian military could choose another more attractive target but the destruction of the large airlifters follows the interests of the Kiev’s patrons. Thus, the airfield in Pskov was chosen as a target by NATO.
Meanwhile, Pskov Airport resumed work on August 31 and the Russian response strikes are yet to come to Ukraine.
