Zelenskyy claims jets hit: Ukraine says Su-34s struck with Neptune; vows long-range attacks continue

Zelenskyy also said Ukraine had struck a facility in Russia’s Oryol region used to store and launch attack drones. He added that another target had been hit in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday claimed that Ukraine had destroyed four Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers and damaged two others in an overnight strike on the Borisoglebsk airfield in Russia’s Voronezh region. Ukraine’s military said it had confirmed damage to all six aircraft, while Zelenskyy said the attack was carried out using a Neptune missile. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the aircraft were loaded with aerial bombs and ready to launch fresh attacks on Ukraine. He shared a photo alongside his statement. "The Russians used them to terrorize our people. These very warplanes were ready to launch new attacks on Ukraine and were loaded with aerial bombs," Zelenskyy said. "Our Long Neptune missile was used to strike the target. I thank the warriors of the Ukrainian Navy for their precision!" Ukraine’s military general staff said on Telegram that it had confirmed varying degrees of damage to all six Su-34 aircraft in the overnight operation. The Su-34M is a fighter-bomber frequently used by Russian forces to drop glide bombs on Ukrainian cities near the frontline. Each aircraft costs tens of millions of US dollars.

Ukraine claims further strikes on Russian targets

Zelenskyy also said Ukraine had struck a facility in Russia’s Oryol region used to store and launch attack drones. He added that another target had been hit in the Black Sea. "Our long-range sanctions also reached a site in the Oryol region used to store and launch attack drones. A target was also hit in the Black Sea," he said. Describing the operations as a response to Russian attacks, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would continue its long-range strikes as Moscow was prolonging the war. "These are our justified responses to all of Russia’s terror against Ukraine. Russia is dragging out the war, so our long-range operations will continue."