Six Russian aircraft hit at Rostov military airfield, Zelenskyy

Ukraine's Security Service struck a Russian military airfield in the Rostov region overnight, destroying three aircraft and three helicopters, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday.

The SBU targeted the Rostov-Central military airfield in Rostov-on-Don, where one An-12 transport aircraft, two An-26 transport aircraft and three helicopters were hit, Zelenskyy said. The SBU separately reported a large fire and secondary detonations at the aircraft parking area.

“Successful strikes were carried out on the military airfield in Rostov - the destruction of one An-12 aircraft, two An-26s and three helicopters has been confirmed,” Zelenskyy said.

The strike was part of a wider overnight Ukrainian operation that also targeted the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl, Ukrainian officials claimed. Ukraine's General Staff said the refinery's primary oil-processing unit was hit and caught fire.

Zelenskyy said the attacks were carried out as part of a joint operation involving Ukraine's Security Service, Special Operations Forces, Defence Intelligence and Foreign Intelligence Service.

The Russian side reported overnight drone attacks in the Rostov region. The Rostov regional governor said falling drone debris damaged a transformer substation and caused power disruptions in parts of Rostov-on-Don, according to Ukrainian media reports.

Zelenskyy also referred “successful Ukrainian operations” in the Black Sea but did not provide details.

“Every day we respond to aggression. Russia must choose peace,” Zelenskyy said.