A Ukrainian drone strike targeted a warehouse in Russia that stored fighter jets, bombs and other military assets, Ukraine’s General Staff has said.
The Borisoglebsk airfield in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast was struck overnight, and imagery shared on social media showed the fiery aftermath of the attacks.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/Getty Images
Why It Matters
As Russian increases its drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, Friday night’s attacks by Ukraine on the Voronezh airfield, and several other Russian regions, show its intent to diminish Moscow’s ability to conduct airstrikes.
What To Know
Kyiv said it targeted the Borisoglebsk airfield, which hosts Sukhoi Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM jets that Russia uses in its airstrikes against Ukraine.
Residents in the Voronezh area reported up to 10 explosions around 2 a.m. and NASA Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) detected a fire near the airfield, independent Russian independent outlet Astra reported.
Russian Telegram channels report an attack on a Russian airfield in Borisoglebsk and Progress plant in Cheboksary where EW components are made. pic.twitter.com/UOfSHaqe6I
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) July 5, 2025
Ukraine conducted a broader overnight drone campaign across Russia, with explosions and fires reported in at least six regions, although Russian authorities emphasized the number of devices it had intercepted, rather than damage caused.
The governor of the Voronezh Oblast said several drones had been destroyed, while in the neighboring Smolensk oblast, three drones were downed, according to authorities.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that, over three hours, 42 drones were intercepted in regions close to the border, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk.
Explosions were also heard in Cheboksary, in the Chuvash Republic, where video shared online showed a fire at an industrial site, according to Astra, which said components for electronic warfare [EW] are made.
It comes a night after what Ukraine described as Russia’s largest air attack of the war across southern and central parts of the country, which killed a woman and left tens of thousands without electricity.
What People Are Saying
Anton Gerashchenko, former Ukrainian internal affairs adviser, on X, formerly Twitter: “Russian Telegram channels report an attack on a Russian airfield in Borisoglebsk and Progress plant in Cheboksary where EW components are made.”
Ukraine’s General Staff said the strikes came as it takes “all necessary measures to undermine the potential of the Russian occupiers to strike civilian infrastructure and compel Russia to end its armed aggression.”
What Happens Next
With no peace deal in site and faced by a U.S. pause on weapons provided to Kyiv, Ukraine is likely to continue its drone strikes on Russian territory.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Donald Trump, who said he “didn’t make any progress” on ending the war.