'First such operation in modern history' — Ukraine destroys Russia's drone base at occupied Donetsk Airport

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) 14th regiment executed a series of preemptive strikes on Russia-occupied Donetsk Airport, rendering the facility inoperable as a military drone base. The airport, converted by Russian forces into a strategic hub for Shahed-type drone launches, had become a key node for Russia’s elite Rubikon drone unit, which deploys hundreds of drones to target Ukrainian cities. The USF’s campaign systematically dismantled launch pads, transport vehicles, and engineering equipment while targeting crews and fuel stations. Ammunition depots and Shahed launch infrastructure were also destroyed, forcing flight cancellations by degrading the airport’s ecosystem. The operation, described as the ‘first such operation in modern history,’ employed asymmetric tactics to maximize impact with minimal strikes, according to USF officer Serafym ‘Falcon’ Hordiienko. The strikes follow previous Ukrainian attacks on the airport using long-range SCALP missiles and U.S.-made ATACMS in March 2026, as well as drone and missile strikes in November and December 2025. The facility, originally seized by Russian forces in 2014, had been repurposed as a logistics hub for Russian military operations. Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted Russian-occupied infrastructure to disrupt supply lines and drone capabilities. The USF’s report highlights the broader ‘middle strike’ campaign, aimed at crippling Russian logistics near the front line. The airport’s destruction underscores Ukraine’s focus on degrading Russia’s ability to launch drone attacks on civilian areas. The USF emphasized that the campaign was driven by a strategic imperative: reducing Russia’s capacity to conduct terrorist drone strikes on Ukrainian cities. While the Kyiv Independent could not independently verify all claims, the strikes align with Ukraine’s broader efforts to counter Russian drone warfare.