06/05/2026
The 1st Separate Center of Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that it had taken control of Donetsk Airport. The military reported on the results of the operation on Friday, emphasizing that this is the first case of such an operation in modern history.
This was announced by the 1st Separate Center of the BfS SBS on its Facebook channel. The unit noted that the occupiers have turned the Donetsk airport into one of the key elements of their military logistics.
“Our unit is systematically burning down enemy infrastructure, making the operation of the airfield impossible,” the report says.
According to the fighters, Russian troops used the airport territory as a military-logistics hub and a launch pad for Shahed-type strike drones. Ukrainian drone operators are striking the facility’s infrastructure and making its further operation difficult.
The unit said that strike drone operators are destroying enemy launchers, vehicles, and personnel directly on the airfield. At the same time, work is underway against mobile fire groups and air defense systems.
The military claims that such actions are forcing Russian forces to cancel sorties. Engineering equipment, refueling tankers, and logistics hubs are also under attack.
“Our strike drone operators are destroying launchers, transport vehicles, and eliminating crews directly on the runway. At the same time, we are systematically hunting for enemy mobile fire groups and air defenses, which is forcing the enemy to cancel sorties,” the 1st SBS OC said.
Result of the operation
According to the military, among the targets hit were installations for launching “Shaheeds“, construction cranes, automotive equipment and warehouses. The unit believes that this allows for the gradual destruction of the entire airfield operation support system.
Serafim “Falko” Gordienko, the officer responsible for planning the operation at the 1st Separate SBS Center (14th Regiment), called the operation an example of asymmetric actions.
“The fire control of the DAP, which was carried out by the 1st OC, is an example of an asymmetric operation in which the enemy’s operational-strategic plans were disrupted by exceptionally small forces. This is what makes us who we are,” he said.
The unit also stated that previously the Russian military felt relatively safe at the airport and used it to prepare attacks on Ukrainian cities.
“From now on, we have turned Donetsk airport into a trap for the enemy. There is no safe rear for the occupiers. It is impossible to hide and defend ourselves,” the military emphasized.
Previously, OBOZ.UA reported how the first battle for control of Donetsk Airport began on May 26, 2014. During this confrontation, assault groups of Russian forces were forced to retreat, suffering significant casualties.
After the battle on May 26, the militants refrained from activity for several months and did not try to storm the airport, but in the fall of 2014, fighting in the Donetsk airport area resumed on a much larger scale.
Let us remind you that every year on January 20, Ukraine honors the memory and feat of the soldiers who, at the cost of extraordinary efforts, held the international airport in Donetsk for 242 days. Over 100 Ukrainian Heroes died in the battles for the DAP, and almost 500 more were injured.
Good job, AFU. This airport is an important target and having fire control over it is vital.
“At the same time, we are systematically hunting for enemy mobile fire groups and air defenses, which is forcing the enemy to cancel sorties,” the 1st SBS OC said.”
Lifesavers.
The term “sortie” was a dignified term often used in military aviation in WW2 to describe a combat flight.
The putinaZis don’t do sorties, they only do murder and genocide. They are vermin.