Ukraine's General Staff reported that on November 5, 2025, Ukrainian forces conducted a combined unmanned aerial system and missile strike against russian base used for the storage, assembly and launch of UAS against targets in Ukraine, in the vicinity of Donetsk airport, in temporarily occupied Ukraine. Explosions and a secondary detonation were reported, according to the UK Defense Intelligence.
One building, reportedly used for warhead storage, was destroyed in Ukraine's strike, two further buildings sustained damage, and a fourth sustained minimal damage to its roof. UAS pre-launch infrastructure, a fuel depot and an ammunition warehouse are reported to have been damaged in the strike.
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Open source reporting indicates over 1,000 Geran-2 (Iranian origin Shahed-136 type) UAS were stored at the base. Russia reportedly began constructing UAS infrastructure and launch sites in the vicinity of the airport over the summer to support russia's increased scale of UAS operations against Ukrainian targets.
Ukraine's strike emphasises the difficulties for russian air defense in protecting military locations within range of Ukraine's ever improving UAS capabilities, particularly this close to the frontline. It also highlights Ukraine's continuing ability to conduct effective combined aerial strikes against russian targets, at the same time as russian forces continue to exert pressure across multiple areas of the front line.
As Defense Express previously reported, the russian authorities have been directed to build russian identity and increase the use of the russian language in the territory it temporarily occupies in Ukraine, according to a decree signed by russian President Vladimir Putin, published on November 25, 2025.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: New Strategy Targets Temporarily Occupied Ukrainian Regions
