Destroyed Russian Su-34 bombers were prepared for attacks against Ukraine, Zelenskyy

Four Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers were destroyed and two others damaged in a Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Borisoglebsk military airfield, which were preparing for new attacks against Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday.

He stressed Ukraine used a Neptune long-range missile to hit the airfield in Russia’s Voronezh region during an overnight operation on 15 October.

“The Russians used these aircraft to terrorise our people. These very aircraft were ready to launch new strikes against Ukraine and were armed with bombs,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that Ukrainian long-range strikes had also targeted sites used to store and launch attack drones in Russia’s Oryol region. Another target in the Black Sea was also destroyed, he said.

“These are our just responses to all of Russia’s terror against Ukraine. Russia is prolonging the war, which means our long-range operations will continue,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine’s Navy said the strike at Borisoglebsk put six Russian Su-34 bombers out of service, either by destroying or damaging them. Specialised equipment supporting aircraft operations was also destroyed, according to the Ukrainian account.