08/21/2026
On the night of August 20, 2026, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Akhtubinsk airfield near the settlement of the same name in the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation. The attack damaged a Su-34 front-line bomber, which, based on camouflage analysis, may be an export version of the Su-34E.
Satellite images showed at least two impact points on the airfield and damage to the aircraft with visible fuel spillage. The information was first disseminated by OSINT monitoring channels, which also published data on the consequences of the attack.
Attack on the airfield
On August 20, around 00:30–01:00, an attack by unknown drones occurred at the Akhtubinsk airfield. The Exile+ channel reported that a heat signature was recorded in the area of the air defense facility of the airfield, and the consequences of the attack were being clarified at that time.
Another monitoring channel, Exilenova+, reported the destruction of a front-line Su-34 bomber. According to its data, after the hit, a fuel spill occurred, followed by a fire, and the aircraft itself received significant damage.
Satellite images
Satellite images show at least two impact points. A damaged Su-34 with a noticeable fuel spill was also captured.
According to OSINT monitoring channels, other aircraft at the airfield were moved around the airport or evacuated to other locations. Analysis of the camouflage of the damaged aircraft indicates that it was the export version of the Su-34E that was damaged.
The estimated cost of such an aircraft is 33–50 million US dollars, depending on the modification.
The Su-34 is a front-line bomber capable of using KAB and FAB of various calibers, launching Kh-59/69 and Kh-31/35U air-to-surface missiles, and carrying suspended reconnaissance or electronic warfare containers.
The General Staff confirmed the defeat
The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of the Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia and the damage to the Su-34 aircraft.
“Based on the results of the attack on August 20, 2026, on the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, damage to the Su-34 aircraft and a fuel spill on the territory of the facility were confirmed,” the General Staff noted.
What is known about the Akhtubinsk airfield?
Akhtubinsk Airfield is the base of the 929th State Flight Test Center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation – one of the main centers for testing and evaluating new models of military aviation equipment and weapons.
It is used by the enemy to base Su-34 aircraft, which are used to launch guided bomb strikes on the territory of Ukraine.
The airfield is located approximately 650 km from the front line.
As OBOZ.UA reported, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the successful downing of an enemy Su-35 over Russia. The combat aircraft of the Russian occupation army was destroyed in the Kursk direction on June 7.
A video, which you can watch here, shows a downed Russian plane burning on the ground. There has also been information about a Russian pilot who died in the recent crash of a Su-34 bomber.