Satellite Images Confirm Destruction of Mi-8 Helicopters and An-12 and An-26 Aircraft in Rostov

Satellite images have documented the complete destruction of two Mi-8 helicopters and An-12 and An-26 military transport aircraft at the airfield in Rostov.

The images were published by the Cyberboroshno community.

The attack took place on the night of September 16–17, 2026. After the explosions, local residents began reporting secondary detonations. NASA’s FIRMS satellite monitoring service detected a fire at the airfield at 1:33 a.m.

Judging by the characteristic footage of the explosion, it is likely that a cargo plane carrying missile weapons was struck.

Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported the “destruction of an An-12, two An-26s, and three more helicopters.” It is likely that the remaining targets were not completely destroyed and were evacuated within the 24 hours that elapsed between the strike and the satellite imagery.

The airfield in Rostov serves as the home base for the 30th Separate Mixed Transport Aviation Regiment, which is part of the 4th Guards Air and Air Defence Forces Army.

The regiment is equipped with An-12, An-26, and An-148-100E aircraft, as well as Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters.