UKRAINE
Ukraine modified Soviet-era drones hit bases, Russia claims
December 6, 2022 - Ukraine’s ability to launch drone strikes deep into Russian territory signals Kyiv’s willingness to raise the stakes in the war.
The Russian defence ministry said that the drone attacks had killed three people and caused damage to aircraft at the Ryazan and Engels air bases, both more than 450km from the Ukrainian border.
The drones were launched from Ukrainian territory, and at least one of the strikes was made with the help of special forces close to the base who helped guide the drones to the target, The New York Times reported, citing a senior Ukrainian official.
The Kremlin said that the weapons launched by Ukraine were Soviet-era jet drones. Reportedly, they were Tupolev Tu-141s, ex-Soviet antiques that last saw front-line use in the 1980s, flying photo-reconnaissance missions for the Soviet air force.