By DAYO ADESULU
A Ukraine drone strike on Russian airfield Marynivka in Volgograd Oblast destroyed up to four Su-34 fighter-bombers, inflicting massive financial and strategic losses on Moscow.
🚨 Ukraine Drone Strike on Russian Airfield Inflicts Heavy Damage
On June 27, 2025, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), in collaboration with Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, carried out a high-risk drone strike on a Russian military airfield deep within Volgograd Oblast. The target, Marynivka airfield, is located 400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and houses one of Russia’s most lethal bomber squadrons.
According to Ukrainska Pravda and Kyiv Post, the strike destroyed two Su-34 fighter-bombers and damaged two more, dealing a significant blow to Russia’s long-range air strike capability.
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“Military airfields and aircraft located deep in enemy territory are absolutely legitimate targets for Ukraine,” the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in a public statement.
🛩️ Target: Su-34 Fighter-Bombers – Russia’s Strike Backbone
The Su-34 Fullback, Russia’s top frontline fighter-bomber, has been widely used to launch glide bomb attacks on Ukrainian military and civilian targets. Each aircraft is estimated to cost $34 million, according to the Kyiv Post.
🎯 Reported Damage Summary:
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Su-34s Destroyed | 2 |
| Su-34s Damaged | 2 |
| Estimated Financial Loss | $136 million |
| Location | Marynivka Airfield, Russia |
This strike could bring Russia’s operational fleet of Su-34s down significantly. If all four losses are confirmed, it may reduce Russia’s Su-34 fleet by nearly 26%, from 163 to approximately 121 aircraft.
📍 Why Marynivka Airfield Matters
Marynivka is not just any Russian base. It houses key aviation infrastructure, including:
- A technical maintenance area used for refueling, weapon loading, and repairs.
- A runway complex capable of servicing strategic bomber operations.
The Ukrainian strike damaged this maintenance area, crippling repair operations for Su-34 missions—impacting Russia’s ongoing ability to launch sustained attacks on Ukrainian targets.
📸 Visual Confirmation & Oryx Intelligence Report
As of June 28, Oryx, a respected Dutch open-source intelligence platform, has visually confirmed the destruction of:
- 37 Su-34s
- 13 Su-34SMs
- 1 Su-34M
However, Oryx notes that:
“We only count losses with confirmed visual evidence. Actual losses may be significantly higher.”
That means the total Russian Su-34 loss count could be understated, especially in remote or controlled areas like Volgograd Oblast.
🛰️ Ukraine’s Expanding Drone Warfare Capabilities
The success of the Ukraine drone strike on Russian airfield demonstrates Kyiv’s growing long-range drone capabilities, with drones now reaching hundreds of kilometers into Russian airspace undetected.
“This operation shows Ukraine’s ability to strike deep behind enemy lines and degrade Russian strike power at its core,” said a Ukrainian defense analyst quoted by United24.
💰 Financial Blow: Russia Faces $136M+ Aircraft Losses
With each Su-34 estimated at $34 million, the potential cost of this operation to Moscow could exceed $136 million. The loss is even more significant when considering the:
- Strategic importance of the aircraft
- Time needed to replace or repair each bomber
- Impact on Russia’s glide-bomb strike capability
❓FAQs: Ukraine Drone Strike on Russian Airfield
1. Where did the strike happen? At Marynivka airfield in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, 400 km from Ukraine.
2. How many aircraft were hit? Reports claim 2 Su-34s destroyed and 2 damaged, totaling 4 airframes impacted.
3. What was targeted? Su-34 bombers and the technical maintenance area of the base.
4. What drones were used? Ukrainska Pravda reported that long-range drones were deployed, but model types remain classified.
5. Why is the Su-34 important? It’s Russia’s frontline bomber used for high-precision glide bomb attacks, crucial to their air strike doctrine.
6. Is this Ukraine’s first deep strike on Russian airfields? No—but this is among the deepest and most damaging to date, marking a new phase in Ukraine’s drone warfare.
🔖 Hashtags for Social Media Sharing
#UkraineDroneStrike #MarynivkaAirfield #Su34Destroyed #UkrainianSpecialForces #RussianAirForceLosses #DroneWarfare #VolgogradStrike #UkraineDefenseUpdate #KyivPost #OryxIntel
