Camilla Jessen
New satellite images show Ukraine successfully targeted a major Russian drone base.
New satellite images reveal that Ukraine successfully hit Russia’s key Shahed drone launch site, bypassing advanced air defenses and crippling key infrastructure.
Ukrainian Drones Hit Russia’s Shahed Base
Ukraine’s military appears to have successfully broken through one of Russia’s most sophisticated air defense systems, dealing a serious blow to a critical drone operations hub.
According to Ukraine’s Kyberboroshno geospatial intelligence project, satellite images show major damage to the Primorsko-Akhtarsk airbase, a key launch site for Iranian-designed Shahed drones used in long-range strikes against Ukraine.
The attack, which took place overnight between August 1 and 2, hit at least three key structures used for storing and deploying UAVs, and critically damaged a separate facility where aerial munitions were stored and prepared.
Satellite Evidence Shows Fires and High Activity
Analysts studying satellite photos noted unusual fires and increased vehicle activity in multiple parts of the airbase.
The targeted areas included launch pads and storage buildings, with evidence suggesting that the droneport—a designated area constructed specifically for UAV operations—suffered serious damage.
The droneport is made up of three compact zones for drone storage, preparation, and launch. Eight fixed launch systems were previously identified there by analyst Dnipro, with mobile vehicle-based launch platforms also observed.
S-400 Defense System Fails to Intercept
The most striking element of the attack is that it happened despite the presence of Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air missile system, which includes six launchers and two radar stations.
Although local media reported air defense activity during the strike, the S-400 system failed to stop the drones, allowing them to hit multiple high-value targets.
This suggests a possible gap in Russia’s radar coverage or interception capabilities against low-flying, precision-targeted drones.
Primorsko-Akhtarsk
While Primorsko-Akhtarsk plays a major role in launching attacks on Ukraine, it’s not the only base doing so.
Satellite analysis has revealed two more “droneports” in the Russian regions of Oryol and Bryansk.
One key site is near Tsymbulovo village in Oryol, about 175 kilometers from Ukraine’s border. It is considered Russia’s largest known UAV launch complex and features eight fixed launchers, a 2.8-kilometer vehicle launch strip, and at least 15 hardened bunkers, including one destroyed earlier by Storm Shadow cruise missiles
Another Launch Site Found Near Bryansk
The second drone hub is located near Navlya village in the Bryansk region. Although smaller, the site copies much of the infrastructure found at Tsymbulovo.
Unlike the other two, Navlya relies entirely on vehicle-based launches and contains three bunkers for drone storage, but lacks fixed platforms.
Recon Drone Factory in Occupied Luhansk
In addition to these launch sites, Ukrainian sources earlier reported that Russian forces have established a drone manufacturing facility in occupied Luhansk, intended for reconnaissance drone production.
This expansion of drone-related infrastructure suggests that Russia continues to invest heavily in unmanned warfare, despite increasing vulnerabilities to Ukrainian deep strikes.
