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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Luke Harding

Strikes deep inside Russia highlight Ukraine’s tactical ingenuity

A satellite image showing the aftermath of an explosion at the Dyagilevo airbase on 5 December.
A satellite image showing the aftermath of an explosion at the Dyagilevo airbase on 5 December. Photograph: ImageSat International (ISI)

Ukrainian officials have recently been hinting at developments in the country’s grinding war with Russia. A long-range rocket, perhaps? Or a homemade modified drone? The apparent evidence of a new and unexpected weapon was visible on Monday morning, when mysterious explosions hit two Russian airbases.

Both took place a long way from the frontlines. Video from Russian social media showed a blast at the Engels-2 airbase in Russia’s Saratov region. Another happened at the Dyagilevo military airbase near Ryazan, a city just 150 miles from Moscow and Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin. According to Russian state media, three people at the base were killed and five injured when a fuel truck went up in flames. At least two planes were reportedly damaged.

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