Ukraine targets airfield in south Russia with drones, over 700km from front line
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A screenshot from a video posted on social media of a drone hitting a military airfield in North Ossetia.
SCREENSHOT: X/@YAROTROF
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MOSCOW - Ukraine on June 8 targeted the south Russian region of North Ossetia with drones for the first time, causing minor damage, local authorities said.
The drones were aimed at a military airfield near the town of Mozdok, more than 700km from the front line, according to North Ossetia governor Sergei Menyailo.
“The attack was foiled by the Russian Defence Ministry’s air defence forces. Minor damage and fires were recorded. No one was injured,” Mr Menyailo said.
Three drones were shot down, he added.
A source in Kyiv told AFP that Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence service was behind the attack.
“Today’s drone attack on the airfield in North Ossetia is a special operation of the GUR,” the source in Ukrainian military intelligence said, without elaborating.
Social media videos purportedly filmed in the region showed drones flying overhead, while pictures showed what appeared to be drone fragments scattered on the ground.
The damage from the attack was unclear, but Governor Menyailo urged residents not to share images of the drones online.
“All services have been put on high alert. For the safety of citizens, we have decided to cancel all mass events in Mozdoksky district,” he said.
Ukraine often targets military and energy facilities in Russian territory in drone attacks, sometimes hundreds of kilometres from the front line. AFP
