- Ukraine’s General Staff reported that on 05 November 2025 Ukrainian forces conducted a combined uncrewed aerial system (UAS] and missile strike against a Russian base used for the storage, assembly and launch of US against targets in Ukraine, in the vicinity of Donetsk airport, in illegally-occupied Ukraine. Explosions and a secondary detonation were reported.
- 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. US pre-launch infrastructure, a fuel depot and an ammunition warehouse are reported to have been damaged in the strike.
- Open source reporting indicates over 1,000 GERAN-2 (Iranian origin Shahed-136 type) UAS were stored at the base. Russia reportedly began constructing AS infrastructure and launch sites in the vicinity of the airport over the summer to support Russia’s increased scale of US operations against Ukrainian targets.
- Ukraine’s strike emphasises the difficulties for Russian air defence in protecting military locations within range of Ukraine’s ever improving US 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 frontline.