Ukrainian forces struck a key Russian air base on Saturday as Moscow ramped up its drone bombardment campaign, signaling a renewed intensity in the conflict now entering its fourth year. Ukraine’s military said it targeted the Borisoglebsk airfield in Russia’s Voronezh region, home to advanced Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM fighter jets.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the strike hit a depot storing glide bombs, a training aircraft, and possibly other combat aircraft. Russian officials have not issued a statement on the reported attack. These deep strikes aim to undermine Russia’s long-range bombing capability and showcase Ukraine’s ability to hit strategic military assets beyond its borders.
Saturday’s attack follows last month’s drone strikes in which Ukraine claimed to destroy more than 40 Russian planes stationed at multiple airfields deep within Russian territory.
In response, Russia launched one of its most aggressive drone campaigns to date. Ukraine’s air force reported 322 drones and decoys were fired overnight into Saturday. Of these, 157 were intercepted and 135 were reportedly disrupted through electronic warfare. The primary target was Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi region, though no injuries or damage were reported.
Meanwhile, Kyiv continues to endure heavy aerial assaults. The latest wave, described as the largest since the war began, left two dead and 31 wounded in the capital. Kyiv officials said the attack used multiple types of drones and long-range missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, calling it “very important and productive.” Discussions included strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, expanding joint arms production, and efforts to end the war. Trump later confirmed the call and said, “We had a very good call, I think,” but expressed uncertainty about a potential resolution.
Despite the discussions, the U.S. has paused certain military aid shipments, including critical air defense systems. European allies are now assessing how to compensate for the delay. Zelenskyy has committed to scaling up Ukraine’s domestic arms production, although officials acknowledge the process will take time.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted 124 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours, including 94 overnight and 30 more Saturday morning. In the city of Engels, officials reported 25 apartments damaged by Ukrainian drone fragments, though no casualties were confirmed.
