Ukrainian forces launched a precise missile strike against a strategic Russian air base in Taganrog, dealing a major blow to Moscow's aircraft maintenance capabilities. The attack, carried out with six ATACMS long-range missiles, severely damaged an aircraft repair facility critical for maintaining Russia's military aviation fleet.
The targeted facility was responsible for servicing and repairing key strategic aircraft, including the A-50 airborne early warning and control planes. Military analysts say the destruction of this repair hub will substantially reduce Russia's ability to conduct air operations and maintain aerial surveillance capabilities.
"This strike will force the Russian Air Force to significantly scale back their combat missions due to limited maintenance capacity," said a defense expert familiar with the operation. "Their ability to provide air support and radar coverage for ground forces will be severely constrained."
The ATACMS missiles, weighing 1,600 kg each and carrying powerful 500 kg warheads, demonstrated devastating effectiveness. Ukrainian forces enhanced the attack's success by deploying Palen drones ahead of the missile strikes, overwhelming Russian air defenses and creating chaos among operators trying to track multiple incoming threats.
The strike on Taganrog was part of a broader Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian military infrastructure. In concurrent operations, Ukrainian forces also destroyed an ammunition depot in Markine and struck a train depot in the Bryansk region, disrupting Russian supply lines and logistics networks.
These precision strikes deep behind enemy lines are expected to hamper Russian offensive operations by creating equipment shortages and delays in frontline resupply efforts. The Russian military now faces the complex challenge of rebuilding damaged facilities while maintaining its operational tempo along the front.
The successful deployment of ATACMS missiles marks a new phase in Ukraine's strategic capabilities, enabling precise strikes against high-value military targets well beyond the immediate battlefield. This enhanced striking power adds another dimension to Ukraine's defensive strategy as the conflict continues.