The drone strike reportedly compromised Russian air defenses, making future fighter jet operations from Savasleyka difficult. The airbase’s defenses appeared limited to a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun and machine guns. NASA images suggest the attack may have targeted fuel storage, potentially destroying T-6 kerosene, a unique fuel critical for MiG-31s.
Without this fuel, MiG-31 fighters could be limited to using standard RT kerosene, which prevents them from launching the Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles. Additionally, the lack of protective shelters for the aircraft leaves them vulnerable to further strikes.
Earlier reports from Russian Telegram channels indicated that the airbase suffered about ten hits, further raising concerns about the operational capacity of the MiG-31K fighters based there. Savasleyka is located approximately 660 km from the Ukrainian border.