Ukraine’s Navy struck six Russian Su-34M fighter-bombers at a military airfield overnight into the morning of Thursday, 15th October.
The attack, which targeted Borisoglebsk airfield in Russia’s Voronezh region, saw Neptune missiles used to destroy the bombers and equipment used to support flight operations.
Sukhoi Su-34 Heading Into the Sky. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-34 Fullback Fighter-Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The strikes occurred within hours of a Ukrainian strike on a Ryazan oil refinery, ending an energy ceasefire that Kyiv had observed alone.
Four Destroyed, Two Damaged
The six Su-34M bombers were struck overnight into Thursday morning, with four destroyed and a further two damaged, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine’s Navy confirmed the attack on Thursday, noting that it had used the Neptune coastal missile system to strike the military airfield. Further explosions and a fire were also reported at the airfield.
Neptune is Ukraine’s domestically produced, ground-launched anti-ship cruise missile with a range of approximately 620 miles.
Before upgrades were unveiled in 2025, the system sank Russia’s Black Sea flagship, the Moskva.
In a post on social media, President Zelensky said: “The Russians used [Su-34Ms] to terrorize our people. These aircraft were ready for new strikes on Ukraine, and were equipped with aerial bombs.”
Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
He added: “Russia is dragging out the war; therefore, our long-range operations will continue.”
Russia Confirms Regional Damage
Eyewitness footage showed the strike on Borisoglebsk airfield and the subsequent fire.
While he did not explicitly share details regarding the strike at the military airfield, Regional Governor Alexander Gusev confirmed an attack on the region in which air defenses had destroyed 33 drones and “several jet-powered aerial targets,” with damage to several homes and a vehicle due to falling debris.
Oil Refinery Strikes Resume
On the same evening, Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan oil refinery days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” between the two warring nations. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed a fire at the Ryazan oil refinery on Thursday morning.
“Our region was subjected to a massive drone attack this morning,” he wrote in a Telegram post. “A fire broke out at an oil refinery. A warehouse and vehicles at another Ryazan enterprise were damaged.”
Malkov said there were no casualties as a result of the drone strikes.
The Ryazan refinery is Russia’s third-largest by processing capacity, producing 17.1 million metric tons of crude oil every year.
It’s a key fuel supplier to Moscow, handling more than 2 million metric tons of gasoline and over 3 million metric tons of diesel annually.
Ryazan was last attacked on Sunday, 6th September, and was forced to suspend operations due to major damage to the refinery’s CDU-6 and CDU-4 units.
Energy Ceasefire Ended
Trump has increasingly voiced frustration with Russia and Ukraine over continued attacks on oil refineries in the face of a worldwide shortage of diesel which, in part, is fueled by the Iran war and Tehran’s ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to a ceasefire on energy facilities on the condition that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed to the same.
Still, the two warring nations have continued to exchange strikes.
With the U.S. President under pressure at home to reduce living costs ahead of next month’s midterm elections, Trump has pushed for a ceasefire on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine – something that was reportedly agreed over the weekend.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” he added.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum over the weekend, Zelensky said that his country “immediately supported the idea of an energy ceasefire,” but questioned whether Russia would comply.
“Our offer is honest and clear; we are ready to respect an energy ceasefire if Russia is ready to do the same,” Zelensky added. “We agree if they agree. And we have already shown that we mean it.”
However, the Kremlin remained silent on the issue, offering no comment either way following Trump’s announcement before striking six separate energy facilities on Monday.
While Kyiv had refrained from retaliating at Washington’s request, the restriction was lifted just three days after the energy ceasefire was announced.
“The block is out. We’re done,” Zelensky said on the truce in an interview with the Financial Times.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
