Ukraine Strikes Airfield Near Volgograd Amid Russian Advances in Donetsk
Ambitious Drone Campaign Targets Russian Military Base
In a daring nighttime operation, Ukraine has successfully targeted a Russian airfield near the city of Volgograd, marking another significant escalation in Kyiv’s long-range drone campaign. The Marinovka airbase, located approximately 70 kilometers west of Volgograd, became the latest target as Ukrainian forces continue to challenge Russian military infrastructure.
Details of the Attack on Marinovka Airbase
The attack occurred at around 3 a.m., as reported by Volgograd’s governor, Andrei Bocharov. Residents in the area were awakened by a series of explosions that continued for several hours. Thick black smoke engulfed the area as ammunition continued to detonate, adding to the chaos. Ukraine’s SBU security service confirmed the strike, noting that the base houses around 30 Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets, which are frequently deployed in bombing missions against Ukrainian positions.
While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, eyewitness accounts suggest significant destruction. One Russian observer described the scene as catastrophic, indicating that the airfield had been largely destroyed.
Ukraine’s Expanding Long-Range Drone Offensive
This latest strike is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to disrupt Russian operations through long-range drone attacks. Over 200 critical Russian infrastructure targets have been hit, including oil depots, refineries, and arms factories. Recent strikes have also targeted airbases deep within Russian territory, such as Borisoglebsk and Savasleyka.
On Tuesday, Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Moscow and even sent drones to the Arctic Murmansk region, a significant distance of over 1,000 miles away. The Russian defense ministry claimed it successfully intercepted all the drones, but the campaign continues to demonstrate Kyiv’s growing reach.
Strategic Hits on Key Russian Infrastructure
In another development, Ukrainian drones struck a railway ferry carrying fuel tanks in the port of Kavkaz, near the strategic Kerch Strait bridge, which connects Russia to occupied Crimea. The attack resulted in billowing black smoke above the water, underlining Ukraine’s intent to sever this critical link.
Zelenskiy Visits Sumy Region Amid Intensified Donbas Offensive
Amid these strategic strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a visit to the Sumy region, near the Russian border. This visit follows Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russian territory on August 6. During his visit, Zelenskiy met with his commander-in-chief, Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, to discuss ongoing military operations aimed at relieving pressure on the eastern Donbas region.
Despite Ukraine’s efforts, Russian forces have intensified their offensive in Donetsk, particularly around the town of Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian military hub. In recent months, Russian troops have captured several villages near Pokrovsk and are now dangerously close to the town of Myrnohrad, prompting residents to prepare for an imminent assault.
The Impact of Ukraine’s “Buffer Zone” Strategy
During his visit to Sumy, Zelenskiy highlighted the importance of the Ukrainian-controlled “buffer zone” on the Russian side of the border. He noted that this strategy has led to a decrease in shelling and civilian casualties in the region. Additionally, Ukrainian forces have captured another settlement and taken more Russian soldiers as prisoners, further bolstering their position.
Reports from Telegram channels indicate that Ukrainian soldiers have seized the village of Krasno-Oktyabrskoye along the River Seym. This move follows previous successful strikes on bridges and pontoon crossings in the area, which were carried out using US-supplied Himars rockets.
Escalating Tensions and Media Repercussions
In response to Ukraine’s advances, Russia’s FSB spy agency has issued arrest warrants for CNN journalists who were on assignment in the Russian town of Sudzha, which is currently under Ukrainian control. The Kremlin also summoned a senior US diplomat in Moscow to protest what it described as “provocative” visits by American journalists to Russian territory.
Putin Downplays Ukrainian Incursions
Despite these significant developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin has downplayed the impact of Ukraine’s incursions into Russian territory, the first since World War II. During a meeting with regional leaders, Putin focused on the humanitarian situation without addressing the root causes of the crisis. Reports indicate that over 122,000 Russians have fled the Kursk region in response to the ongoing conflict.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Zelenskiy, criticized the Kremlin’s approach, suggesting that Russia is struggling to counter Ukraine’s advances in the Kursk region. He pointed out that the Kremlin is attempting to manage public anxiety by framing the loss of territory as a “new normal.”