Su-34 downed in Borisoglebsk: Russians demand all aircraft be pulled back 400 km

Russia is calling for no more than a couple of aircraft to be stationed at airfields near the border.

Ukrainian armed forces attacked a military airfield in Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast, with Neptune missiles , hitting six Su-34M aircraft. Satellite images of the aftermath of the strike are already circulating online , showing the aircraft parking lot completely destroyed. At least four Su-34 aircraft have reportedly been destroyed.

Against this backdrop, Russian war correspondents are complaining about the inadequate protection of airfields and claiming that the only solution is to withdraw aircraft hundreds of kilometers from the front line.

For example, the Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber complains that the effectiveness of mobile fire teams and net protection against Ukrainian missiles will approach zero.

He notes that protection with a full-scale, layered air defense system is possible, as well as the construction of concrete and steel aircraft shelters. At the same time, the Russian expert laments that with at least one observer near the airfield, the Ukrainian Armed Forces could easily determine the opportune moment to strike aircraft being rolled out of shelters and prepared for takeoff.

Aerial view of an airport showing damaged structures and military vehicles on runway, with surrounding grassy areas.

So he believes that the only way to somehow protect Russian aviation is to redeploy it hundreds of kilometers deep into Russian territory.

“Besides the temporary solution of withdrawing all frontline, long-range, and military transport aviation beyond a 400-kilometer radius, I don’t see any way to preserve the equipment,” he says.

At the same time, airfields closer to this radius are proposed as operational, with the number of aircraft temporarily located at the airfield that can be prepared for a repeat takeoff at the designated time, as well as ensuring independent taxiing and taxiing of aircraft to shelter.

“Ideally, no more than a couple, and ideally, these airfields should only be used in cases of extreme necessity,” he adds.

The war correspondent also complained that the debris from the strike was not being cleared quickly enough.

“They need to be removed before the enemy photographs the fallen debris from all angles and puts it on display for the whole world to see,” says Fighterbomber.

(C)UNIAN 2026