Russia targets vital Ukrainian airfield in biggest night strike, Air Force confirms
Photo: Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Force, Yurii Ihnat (Getty Images)
During the night of June 9, Russia carried out one of the most large-scale, massive attacks on Ukrainian territory in recent times, says the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Force, Yurii Ihnat.
According to Ihnat, the main target of the attack was one of the operational airfields.
"We are now talking about air-based means of attack in general. A massive strike - one of the largest that Russia has launched against our country in recent times. The main blow, as is probably already being discussed on public channels, was directed at one of the operational airfields, which was attacked by the enemy," Ihnat said.
He emphasized that the Russians used various types of weapons for the strikes, including missiles and drones.
At the moment, it is unknown which specific airfield was targeted.
Russia's attack on Ukraine
On the night of Monday, June 9, Russia launched a combined strike on Ukrainian territory. The Russians used ballistic and cruise missiles as well as attack drones.
At 4:00 AM, reports began to emerge about the launches of several groups of cruise missiles. Monitoring channels also reported the takeoff of Tu-95MS bombers. Initially, it was reported that the missiles were heading toward Kyiv, but later the Air Force clarified that they had been spotted in the Zhytomyr region, heading toward Rivne.
On the night of June 9, the Polish army also scrambled military aircraft in response to Russia's missile attack on Ukraine.
Poland's defense forces reported that they had deployed "all available resources and means at their disposal." In particular, ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on high alert.
More details about the June 9 Russian assault can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report.
