Ukraine reports damage to six Russian fighter aircraft
Satellite images confirm damage at a Russian airfield, but not every Ukrainian claim.
Follow-up to: Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries Thursday, 15 October 2026, 07:59
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Ukraine’s military leadership says six Russian Su-34M aircraft were damaged in a night-time attack on Borisoglebsk airfield. Reuters saw signs of destruction in satellite images, but could not fully independently establish the extent of the damage.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the military airfield in Voronezh region was hit during the night of Thursday. Ukraine’s armed forces say all six aircraft involved sustained damage of varying severity. Facilities needed for flights were also reportedly hit.
Reuters compared satellite images of the airfield with earlier images and saw indications of damage to the site. This makes it likely that an attack took place. It has not established how extensive the damage to the aircraft is or whether they are out of service.
Ukrainian authorities say a Neptune missile system was used. Russia has not confirmed the Ukrainian account. Russian regional authorities did report that air defences had intercepted targets in the region, but provided no independent information about damage to the airfield.
The report follows Ukraine’s announcement that Kyiv had resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine had suspended those attacks for several days after pressure from the United States, while Russia, according to Kyiv, continued attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The Su-34M is a fighter-bomber that Russia uses to attack targets in Ukraine. If several aircraft are out of service for an extended period, this could temporarily limit Russia’s capacity for such attacks. The operational significance depends on the actual damage and on the possibility of repairing or replacing the aircraft quickly.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Ukraine reports damage to six Russian Su-34M aircraft.
- Satellite images show damage at the airfield.
- The precise extent of the damage has not been independently established.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that military support for Ukraine remains necessary to limit Russian attacks and the imbalance of power. Attacks on military infrastructure are seen as part of defending against an ongoing invasion.
Values International solidarity, protection of civilians and the right of an attacked country to self-defence.
Consequences Fears that restraint would give Russia room to continue the war, but also warns of further escalation.
Centre
Arguments Sees the attack as a military fact that should be assessed separately, without drawing conclusions about the course of the war from unconfirmed claims. Diplomacy and verifiable information remain necessary.
Values Proportionality, the international legal order and institutional verification.
Consequences Emphasises that military successes do not remove the need for negotiations and that the risk of escalation must be taken into account.
Right
Arguments Emphasises Ukraine’s military strength and the importance of credible deterrence against Russia. At the same time, it can be argued that European countries should strengthen their own defence capabilities.
Values National security, deterrence and responsibility for one’s own defence.
Consequences Fears that too little support would lead to a greater security threat in Europe, but wants to prevent allies from remaining indefinitely dependent on American support.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core is based on a Ukrainian military report and independent analysis of satellite images. The text makes clear which elements have not yet been independently established.
- confirmed Ukraine says six Su-34M aircraft were damaged in an attack on Borisoglebsk. — Reported by Ukraine’s General Staff and Reuters. source
- confirmed Reuters saw signs of destruction at the airfield in satellite images. — Reuters reported that satellite images show damage to the airfield. source
- confirmed The attack took place during the night of 15 October 2026. — Mentioned in the statement by Ukraine’s armed forces. source
- uncertain Russia has not confirmed the Ukrainian account. — The sources consulted contain no Russian confirmation of the damage claim. source
Editor's note
The attack and damage to the airfield have been reported by multiple sources. Ukraine’s claim that precisely six aircraft were damaged has not been fully independently verified.Sources
- Ukraine says it damaged six Russian military jets in missile strike on airfield — Reuters via Investing.com
- Borisoglebsk airfield hit. Six Su-34 aircraft damaged — General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Ukraine abandons truce and attacks Russian oil refinery — AP
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 21:44 Trump announces 300,000-tonne Russian diesel deal
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 06:48 US temporarily make Russian diesel tradable again
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 10:45 Deadly attack puts Trump's diesel deal under pressure
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 20:45 Trump calls for new president of Ukraine
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 22:48 British prime minister promises Zelensky support after Trump criticism
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 14:57 Zelensky offers to halt refinery attacks in return for Russian move
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 19:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, Kyiv does not confirm agreement
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 20:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, attacks continue
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:02 Attack on power station immediately puts Trump’s energy truce under pressure
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 22:27 Russian attacks put energy truce under immediate pressure
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 12:59 Kremlin does not confirm Trump's energy ceasefire
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 14:59 Zelensky had no warning of Russian missile attack on Kyiv
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 23:28 Zelensky says allies again failed to warn him
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 01:56 Russian missiles hit power plant in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 06:59 Russian missile hits power station in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 08:00 Zelensky seeks swift new talks with US envoys
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 09:29 New Russian attacks increase pressure on Ukraine’s power grid
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 17:33 New Russian attack leaves Kyiv without power
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 18:58 Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine falters
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 07:59 Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 18:14 Ukraine reports damage to six Russian fighter aircraft (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „oekraïne rusland”
- De Telegraaf — „oekraïne rusland”
- AD — „oekraïne rusland”