n n n ‘. concat(e. i18n. t(“search. voice. recognition_retry”),’n
Unsurprisingly, no major details about the sabotage operation have been revealed. It is not known how many other people were involved. Several sets of footprints in the snow leading to the Su-34 and the exit may also have been made by the same user in the video, or through other people, but they may have also been presented by the Russian floor team.
Regardless, it appears to have been a bold incursion, especially since Shagol airbase is located just 1,600 miles from the nearest Ukrainian border. On the other hand, it is conceivable that a corps of Russian and non-Ukrainian workers participated, having been recruited through the GRU. Still, the inherent threat of placing a piece of equipment, as well as its mandatory equipment, on the perimeter of the air base and getting close enough to a Su-34 to set it on fire is considerable. So, presumably, they will. He should have escaped unscathed.
However, this is not the first time Ukrainian or Ukrainian-related sabotage attacks have been carried out on air bases in central Russia.
In November 2022, The War Zone reported on an obvious sabotage attack on the Ostrov air base in the Pskov region in the far west of the country. Explosives placed on attack helicopters destroyed two Ka-52s and one Mi-28N, according to the Ukrainian GRU. . This base is about 400 miles from the Ukrainian border.
https://twitter. com/UAWeapons/status/1587182889002827780
Then, in September 2023, reports emerged that one of Russia’s most vital air bases, Shkalovsky, less than 32 kilometers from Moscow, had been attacked by saboteurs. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, two planes and a helicopter were “blown up” by explosives. fees imposed on them.
Ukrainian Military intelligence says 2 planes and a helicopter were damaged at Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow as result of saboteur attack https://t.co/OiKsdUoutg pic.twitter.com/gEz88gPSLo
— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) September 20, 2023
In addition to the attacks on air bases, we already know that since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, the GUR and other special operations elements of the Ukrainian security facilities have been carrying out attacks on the Russian borders. with attacks on targets in Crimea, as well as raids on Russian-owned offshore platforms in the Black Sea.
https://twitter. com/LucasFoxNews/status/1509842477137727491
Interestingly, in reaction to the sabotage attack in Ostrov, the pro-Russian Fighterbomber Telegram channel, which broadcasts data on the activities of Russian army aircraft over Ukraine, noted that “the appearance of this video was only a matter of time and, personally, I was not interested. “Surprised at all. The same source also pointed out an alleged poor point of defensive preparation at the base point and, more often than not, around the Russian army’s infrastructure.
The lack of security around Russian air bases is a new revelation. Today, Russia faces a glaring risk from special forces groups and other saboteurs operating deep within its own territory; however, with the influx of military and security resources into Ukraine, those vulnerabilities have been well taken into account. Staffing shortages have severely affected Russia’s protective stance in some areas.
The possible sabotage attacks introduced against Russian air bases in occupied Crimea are a bit more obscure. Here, the odds of infiltration are higher, as are the odds of acting with Americans or pro-Ukrainian cells on the peninsula.
It should also be noted that there has been at least one incident in which Russian saboteurs attacked aircraft at their bases.
In May 2023, Russian guerrillas claimed responsibility for the burning of a Su-24M aircraft at an aircraft plant in Novosibirsk in southern Siberia. They said the action was taken to show that “this war will have to end. “, the aircraft was at a non-military facility and was also unfit to fly, either of which likely facilitated access.
https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=W3D4M1stEwQ
On the other hand, an attack on what appears to be an operational Su-34, assigned to a front-line unit, at an active Russian army air base worries Russian army authorities.
Ukraine has already used repurposed ballistic missiles, long-range drones, short-range drones, and reconnaissance drones as opposed to Russian aircraft stationed at its bases. The vulnerability of these Russian aircraft, which rarely have reinforced shelters, has led to ad hoc defensive measures. measures of dubious value.
Following a Ukrainian drone strike on the Kresty base in the Pskov region that destroyed two Il-76 Candid heavy transport aircraft and destroyed two others, a “citizens’ squad” was formed to protect the base and other army facilities in the region. Since the corps of army workers is very limited lately, similar civilian patrols may simply be an option to bolster security around air bases in general, although this would be a primary task in itself in terms of manpower and equipment.
https://twitter. com/Feher_Junior/status/1697624912851091880
While there have been apparent GUR sabotage raids on Russian airbases before, there is no question that targeting a Su-34 — one of the most important tactical aircraft in the Russian campaign — has both a significant military value and deals a major propaganda blow to Russia.
This is especially vital to Ukraine’s long-standing preference to “bring the war home” in Russia, as well as to offer a chosen means of retaliation while the scenario on the front lines remains deadlocked.
War Zone senior editor Howard Altman contributed to this report.
Contact the author: thomas@thedrive. com