A long range Ukrainian drone strike has targeted the Russian Migalovo airfield in the Tver region, deep inside the Russian Federation, more than 500 kilometres from Ukraine’s border. The airfield is home to key units of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ military transport aviation, including the 196th and 8th Regiments, which operate heavy transport aircraft such as the Il-76MD and An-124.
The attack, which took place on 25 May 2025, was confirmed by video recordings shared online by local residents. These videos show drones approaching the facility, with Russian troops attempting to shoot them down using small arms and other light weapons. In one of the clips, a drone successfully reaches the airfield before exploding on impact, followed by heavy smoke and flames.
The governor of the Tver region, Igor Rudenya, acknowledged the drone attacks but insisted that five drones were intercepted and that no damage to infrastructure had occurred. However, eyewitness reports and visual evidence from the scene contradict his statement, showing a significant fire and large plumes of smoke rising from the base.
Migalovo is a strategic facility for the Russian military, acting as a hub for transport aircraft that are used to resupply front line units, move troops, and deliver weapons. The airfield also supports nearby military infrastructure and logistics operations.
This is not the first time Ukrainian drones have hit Migalovo. A previous strike occurred in September 2024, with residents reporting drone activity and explosions. That attack was also confirmed by visual footage showing Russian air defences in use.
The attack follows a pattern of increased Ukrainian activity against critical military infrastructure inside Russia. Earlier in May, drones destroyed an ammunition depot in Perevalnoye, Crimea, along with four military buildings belonging to the 126th Coastal Defence Brigade. That operation also caused secondary explosions and a major fire.
