Massive Drone Attack Targets Three Russian Military Airfields Overnight

Russia claims that its air defenses intercepted 158 drones, that reportedly targeted Russian military airfields and munition stockpiles across the Russian territory, Russian Defense Ministry reported on April 9.

The reported attacks spanned multiple Russian regions and lasted for 10 hours, ending around 6 am Moscow time.

The majority of the drones were allegedly shot down over Krasnodar Krai (67), Rostov region (29), and North Ossetia (15), according to the ministry’s official statement.

Additional drone activity was reported in Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod, Penza, Saratov, and Oryol regions, as well as in Stavropol Krai and Russian-occupied Crimea.

In North Ossetia, drones were reportedly downed over the Mozdoksky district. Regional head Sergey Menyaylo said there were no casualties or damage. However, the independent outlet Astra, citing local residents, reported that the likely target was a military airfield in Mozdok.

In the Saratov region, explosions were heard in the city of Engels, near a key base housing Russian strategic bombers, according to the Telegram-based media outlet Shot.

Meanwhile, in the Orenburg region—which was not listed in the Defense Ministry’s official report—Governor Yevgeny Solntsev confirmed that drones attempted to strike a military airfield. “There are no casualties or destruction. I urge everyone to remain calm—the situation is under control,” he wrote on Telegram.

In the Penza region, drones targeted the Serdobsky district, which hosts a major arsenal for missile and artillery munitions, Astra reported.

In Krasnodar Krai, drones reportedly reached the outskirts of Slavyansk-na-Kubani, home to an oil refinery, as well as the city of Krymsk and the village of Rayevskaya.

Earlier, a drone strike destroyed a missile storage facility and a technical building used to service Kh-22 and Kh-32 missiles at Russia’s Shaikovka airbase.

The airbase, home to Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, was targeted by drones during the night of March 31, 2025.

The strike significantly damaged the base’s infrastructure, particularly a facility for preparing Kh-22/32 missiles, where fueling and launch configuration occurs.

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