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Satellite Images from Dzhankoi Reveal Ukrainian Forces Adopting an Interesting Strategy of Missile Strikes

Planet Labs satellite image / Photo credit: Radio Liberty
Planet Labs satellite image / Photo credit: Radio Liberty

Satellite images from Planet Labs reveal the aftermath of strikes on the airfield in the temporarily occupied Dzhankoi, Crimea. What exactly does the strategy of missile strikes entail?

Schemes, an investigative project by Radio Liberty, has published Planet Labs satellite images dated April 19, depicting the aftermath of Ukrainian missile strikes on Dzhankoi, a russian military airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea.

"In the images, we see pinpoint strikes on air defense systems, which disabled them, and damage to the enemy's ammunition depot. It should be noted that after the strikes, most of the aircraft were relocated," aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi explained in a comment to Schemes.

Read more: ​Another S-400 SAM System Likely to Destroy In Result of Ukraine’s Missile Strike on russia’s Dzhankoi Air Base

Khrapchynskyi pointed out that the airfield serves as one of the largest russian helicopter bases and functions as a key military transport hub for the relocation of equipment, ammunition and personnel.

Note that the impact and destruction are clearly visible not only on the launching pads and radar installations of the S-400 systems, but also on the sites where various types of ammunition were stored.

It is also worth noting an interesting detail - it seems that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have shifted to implement a rather intriguing strategy of missile strikes.

The essence of this strategy can be described as targeting (at first glance) secondary objects in order to expedite the disabling of the main target. Ukrainian forces could have specifically targeted the platforms with SAM systems and ammunition dumps, calculating that the secondary detonation could significantly damage the aircraft on the airfield simultaneously.

If such a calculation indeed took place, there were reasons behind it. We can recall, for example, what cassette ATACMS ammunition does to russian helicopters.

Furthermore, the successful missile strike on the Dzhankoi airfield has effectively created a "closed access zone" for the russians, in which they, at least temporarily, do not have the opportunity to use their aviation in the war against Ukraine.

There is evidence that the S-400 SAM system was destroyed during the attack on russian Dzhankoi Air Base in temporarily occupied Crimea, Defense Express
There is evidence that the S-400 SAM system was destroyed during the attack on russian Dzhankoi Air Base in temporarily occupied Crimea

Earlier, Defense Express reported another S-400 SAM system destroyed as a result of Ukraine's missile strike on russia's Dzhankoi air base.

It also revealed what the Fundament-M air surveillance system is, which was destroyed in Ukraine's strike on Dzhankoi airfield.

Read more: What is Known About the Aircraft Factory in Kazan for Producing Tu-22M3 and Tu-160, Where Ukrainian UAVs Struck