Ukraine drone unit claims destruction of 2 Russian Tu-142 anti-submarine patrol aircraft

Ukraine's drone forces claimed another success, reporting the destruction of two Russian Tu-142 anti-submarine patrol aircraft and an Iskander ballistic missile system. The strike reportedly took place overnight between May 29 and May 30 at a military airfield near Taganrog, located on the Sea of Azov coast in Russia's Rostov region.

Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), stated that the attack was carried out by the USF's First Center, which specializes in deep strikes against Russian military targets and energy infrastructure. The destroyed aircraft and missile system were located at an airfield near the port city of Taganrog.

Experts believe that one of the destroyed Tu-142 aircraft may have been a rare Tu-142 MR variant. This specific model plays a crucial role in Russia's nuclear command and control system, serving as an airborne communication relay to transmit orders to underwater ballistic missile submarines. If a Tu-142 MR was indeed destroyed, it would represent a significant blow to the Russian military's strategic capabilities.

In addition to the aircraft and missile system, Ukrainian drones also targeted port infrastructure in Taganrog, reportedly causing a fire on a tanker and at a fuel storage facility. The report includes a social media post from OSINTtechnical confirming the destruction of the two Tu-142 aircraft at the Taganrog airfield.

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Overnight, Ukrainian attack drones struck Russia’s Taganrog airfield, and for the first time, successfully destroyed a pair of Tu-142 Bear-F long-range maritime patrol aircraft.