Ukraine on Saturday said it struck a Russian airbase as Russia launched hundreds of drones overnight in its latest wave of long-range attacks, further diminishing hopes of progress toward ending the war that has now dragged on for over three years.
Ukraine’s military General Staff confirmed that its forces targeted the Borisoglebsk airbase in Russia’s Voronezh region, which it described as the “home base” for Russia’s Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM fighter jets.
In a statement on Facebook, the General Staff said the strike hit a depot containing glide bombs, a training aircraft, and “possibly other aircraft.”
Russian officials have not yet commented on the reported attack.
Strikes on Russian airbases are part of Ukraine’s efforts to weaken Russia’s military capability and demonstrate its reach into high-value targets deep inside Russian territory. Last month, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft stationed at various airfields inside Russia during a surprise drone operation.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 322 drones and decoys into Ukrainian territory overnight into Saturday. Of these, 157 were intercepted and destroyed, while 135 were lost, likely due to electronic jamming, according to Ukrainian officials.
The western Khmelnytskyi region was the main target of the latest attacks. However, regional Governor Serhii Tyurin said no damage, injuries, or fatalities were reported.
Ukraine pursues joint weapons production with allies as US pauses some arms shipments
Russia has recently escalated its long-range aerial bombardments on Ukraine. On Friday, waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv in what officials described as the largest aerial assault since the invasion began. The attack killed one person and injured at least 26 others.
The renewed Russian offensive follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Friday. Zelenskyy described the discussion as “very important and productive,” saying the leaders talked about strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, the potential for joint US-Ukraine weapons production, and broader U.S.-led initiatives to end the war.
Speaking to reporters Friday night, Trump confirmed the call, saying, “We had a very good call, I think.”
When asked about the prospects of ending the war, Trump responded, “I don’t know. I can’t tell you whether or not that’s going to happen.”
The US has recently paused shipments of certain military aid to Ukraine, including vital air defense missiles. European allies are now considering how they can fill the gap. Zelenskyy has said plans are underway to expand Ukraine’s domestic arms production, though scaling up such efforts will take time.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 94 Ukrainian drones overnight, along with an additional 12 drones on Saturday morning. No casualties have been reported in connection with those incidents.