SBU Drones Strike Su-35 and Su-34 Jets at Russian Airfield

Long-range strike drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck advanced Russian Su-35 and Su-34 combat aircraft alongside an ammunition depot at the Khanskaya military airfield in Russia’s Republic of Adygea early Sunday morning, Oct. 4. According to an official dispatch from the SBU, operators from the service’s “Alpha” Special Operations Center carried out the overnight strike against the air base, located approximately six kilometers outside the regional capital of Maykop and roughly 500 kilometers from Ukrainian-controlled territory.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The security service confirmed direct hits on an Su-35 multi-role air superiority fighter – one of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ most advanced frontline combat aircraft, carrying an estimated export valuation of $100 million – and an Su-34 fighter-bomber, which serves as Moscow’s primary tactical strike aircraft for launching standoff guided aerial bombs, valued at approximately $50 million. In addition to targeting the combat aircraft, Ukrainian strike drones detonated an on-site ammunition storage facility within the airfield perimeter. “Last night, the Security Service of Ukraine successfully attacked the military airfield Khanskaya in the Republic of Adygea, Russian Federation,” the SBU stated. “The distance to the target is about 500 kilometers.” The operation confirms earlier reports from regional monitoring channels and eyewitnesses in Maykop, who reported drone engine sounds and active Russian air defense fire beginning around 1:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, followed by loud secondary explosions and large blazes visible across the airfield complex. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine to Deploy Small Missiles, Turrets Against Jet Drones, Zelensky Says Kyiv installs 12 automated turrets and readies domestic interceptor missiles as Merz defies Kremlin threats during Kyiv talks. Deep-strike campaign The Khanskaya facility serves as the permanent home station for the Russian Aerospace Forces’ 272nd Training Aviation Base. Despite its primary instructional designation, Russian military planners have integrated the installation into active combat logistics, utilizing its runways, hangars, and fuel reservoirs as a dispersed forward staging post to support tactical air units. Satellite reconnaissance recorded in recent months showed a substantial concentration of military aircraft deployed across the installation, including Su-24 bombers, Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35S multi-role fighters, L-39 jet trainers, Mi-8 transport helicopters, and heavy military cargo planes. The airfield previously came under Ukrainian deep-strike bombardment in December. The precision strike against Khanskaya marks the second consecutive night of coordinated Ukrainian operations targeting Russian air assets and unmanned aviation nodes. Overnight into Saturday, Oct. 3, Ukrainian strike drones struck the Tsymbulovo droneport in Russia’s Oryol region, sparking multiple fires across workshops and launch pads used to deploy turbojet-powered loitering munitions toward Kyiv. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.