Ukraine strikes Russian Akhtubinsk airbase and Tsymbulova drone port
Photo: The Ukrainian Armed Forces struck the Russian Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan and the Tsymbulova drone port (Getty Images)
On the night of November 15, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck two locations from which Russia launches aircraft and attack drones to carry out strikes against Ukraine, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
A key target was struck—the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region, located approximately 650 kilometers from the front line.
This is no ordinary airfield: it is home to the Russian Ministry of Defense's 929th State Flight Test Center—one of Russia's main centers for testing new military aircraft and weapons.
It is here that the latest aircraft and missiles are tested before being deployed in the war against Ukraine.
In addition, Akhtubinsk is used to base Su-34s, which drop guided bombs on Ukrainian cities and positions.
Following the strike, a powerful secondary explosion was recorded at the airfield's warehouse containing kits for guided air-to-ground missiles.
Ukrainian forces also struck a PRV-13 mobile radio altimeter—a critical system for the airfield designed to measure the flight altitude of aerial objects and determine their coordinates.
The second target is located near the village of Tsymbulova in the Oryol region. There, a facility used for storing, preparing, and launching attack drones, the so-called Tsymbulova drone port, was struck.
From there, the Russians launch drones against Ukrainian cities, the energy sector, and civilian infrastructure.
In Tatarstan, following an attack by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the night of November 15, a fire broke out at a petrochemical plant and an oil refinery, while in the Bryansk region, the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck a helicopter manufacturing facility.
Also, in Taganrog, power substations were damaged following a drone attack, causing train service to be suspended, and a bridge on the R-280 highway was damaged.
