Ukraine Hits S-300 Division and Aircraft at Russia’s Baltimore Airfield

Ukraine’s strike on the Russia’s Baltimore airfield disabled a Russian S-300 air defense division and likely damaged two Su-24 bombers, according to satellite analysis.

The findings were reported by geointelligence researchers from CyberBoroshno, who examined fresh imagery of the site.

The overnight attack on August 16-17 targeted the military airfield in Russia’s Voronezh region, home to the 47th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment and the 108th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment.

Analysts identified damage to the positions of the 76N6 radar station and the 30N6 radar. The destruction of these systems would render the entire air defense division inoperable.

Researchers also noted the disappearance of two Su-24 aircraft that had been present for at least a month. Burn marks consistent with fire damage were visible at their positions.

Su-24M bombers are largely retired from the Russian Aerospace Forces, replaced in recent years by Su-34 jets. Only Russian naval aviation continues to operate them in combat, raising the possibility that the destroyed planes were either decommissioned or specialized Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft, which are used for radar and signals intelligence, according to Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat.

Researchers also pointed to a 2019 Russian TV report that showed the same anti-aircraft system being upgraded to the S-300PM2 version, allowing them to compare the damaged positions to earlier footage.

The 76N6 radar was responsible for detecting targets at medium and high altitudes, while the 30N6 radar provided tracking and target illumination.

Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Security Service used drones to hit the Saky airfield in Crimea, damaging or destroying five Russian aircraft, including a Su-30SM fighter jet and three Su-24 bombers.