Satellite images show Russia’s got a new front-line drone launch site that cuts Ukraine’s reaction time but puts the base at risk

• Satellite images show a new Russian drone launch site at a key airport in the occupied Ukraine.

• An analyst said Russia began to build the site at Donetsk airport, which was destroyed a few weeks ago.

• The location near the front lines poses a threat to Ukraine – but it also makes it more vulnerable.

The new satellite images show that Russia builds several drone launchers on the runway at an airport near the front lines in a occupied area of ​​Ukraine.

Russian long range drone launch sites Conflict analysts say that it can pose a major threat to Ukraine near the façades, and that Kiev can reduce the time to respond to attacks and defend against attacks. However, short distance can make sites more vulnerable to strikes.

An image that was captured by Maxar Technologies on Sunday and examined by Business Insider shows launch rails and drone storage huts. Donetsk Main AirportA region to the east of Ukraine.

Russia occupies about 75% of Donetsk, including the airport. The image also shows a comprehensive destruction to the airport terminal and other facilities from years of war.

Located just northwest of Donetsk City, the airport is less than two dozen. Russia’s Eastern Ukraine Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Donbas has seen some of the most violent fights since Russia began in full -scale occupation of Ukraine in February 2022. PokrovskA city where the war under the control of Kiev in Donetsk is one of the hottest and most ruthless sectors of the front lines.

Ukraine open source intelligence group Cyberboroshno reported At the beginning of August, Russia built infrastructure on the track in Donetsk Airport. HAHED style one -way attack dronesLoitering ammunition designed by the destructive Iran that Moscow has been brutally trying to attack Ukraine for three years.

According to Maxar information, the construction of the launch positions at Donetsk Airport began between late May and early June, and since then, this infrastructure has continued to expand.

Researcher at Kyle Glen, England -based Information Strength Center, followed by Russian drone operationsBusiness Insider told Insider to be so close to the base. front -facing. Other known drone launch areas are much deeper in Russian territory.

“Long -range drone launch areas close to the façade will reduce the reaction time for Ukraine air defenses.” He said.

“Russian forces will be launched by long -range strike drones from the occupied Ukraine, and Russia will continue to use Ukraine for such strikes more and more. written.

Reporting It shows that Russia has transformed other civilian airports in the occupied Ukraine region into drone launch areas, including the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow seized from Kiev in 2014.

Although there are some advantages, the proximity of Donetsk Airport to the front can recoil for Russia. Glen said the Russian base was more vulnerable Ukrainian strikesIt does not necessarily require sophisticated weapons.

Brady Africk is an open -source intelligence analyst It was closely followed And the investigated drone base developments have initiated a combination of explosive attack drones and traps in waves that can emphasize the already limited air defenses of Ukraine. ” Ukraine has to take them to the ground if she doesn’t want to face the air.

“This is difficult to encounter on the launching ramp of drones, because Russia can hide them until they plan to start.”

Many drone launch sites are far more

Russia has a series of drone launching spaces in Russia, some of whom have relatively new infrastructure – far from Donetsk airport and the front lines. Access of Ukraine.

These include Primorsko-Akhtars in Krasnodar Krai, Navlya in the Bryansk region, Tsimbulova in the Oryol region, Smolensk in Smolensk and Millerovo in Rostov.

The latest satellite images taken by Maxar and examined by Business Insider shows the infrastructure to support drone operations that look like drones that look like HAHED -style drones on asphalt.

Despite the distance on the front, Ukraine proved that it could attack these bases. For example, at the beginning of August, Kyiv said that drones hit Primorsko-AkhtarskAbout 150 miles away.

Ukrainian DRONE STRUCTURES Hundreds of miles are reaching Russian territory. Closing areas may be less difficulty for Ukrainians. If Donetsk launch site is not sufficiently defended by Russia, it can be an easy target.

“The installation of launching from Russia to drones from Donetsk Airport to Donetsk Airport, newly built storage areas and launch rails protected by Berms, mirrors seen on other sites.” He said.

The construction of the new Donetsk airport launch site comes in the midst of a wider Russian investment in one -way attack drone skills. Produces thousands of drones modeled after bad fame Designed by Iran shahed Every month. And Moscow constantly showed that he could launch hundreds of people in Ukraine on one night.

A recent assessment by the British Ministry of Defense said that Russia launched a 6,200 uniform attack plane in Ukraine in July. New monthly high during the war. The strike scale decreased in the first three weeks of August.

However, on Thursday, Russia carried out the biggest bombardment of the month and launched more than 614 missiles and drones in Ukraine. Kyiv said that 574 drones used in the attack came from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Bryansk, Oryol, Shatalovo, Millerovo and other regions.

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