According to an SBU source, "dozens" of aircraft, including Su-34s, Su-25s, Su-27s, and MiG-29s, which are used to attack Ukraine and its armed forces, were stationed at the airfield during the strike. There is currently no information on the extent of damage or casualties, but the Slavyansk oil refinery has paused operations following the attack.

In recent months, Ukrainian forces have intensified drone strikes targeting Russia's oil industry, crucial for sustaining Moscow's war efforts, as well as its military hardware. This marks the second attack on the Kushchevskaya airbase and Slavyansk refinery in recent weeks. A previous drone strike on April 27 reportedly hit key technological objects and damaged several aircraft.

"The SBU continues to effectively target military and infrastructure facilities behind enemy lines, reducing Russia's potential for waging war," an SBU statement said following the April attack.

The creation of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 6. The division aims to enhance Ukraine's capabilities with drones by creating specialized units, ramping up training, systemizing their use, increasing production, and driving innovation.

"This year should be decisive in many aspects – and, obviously, on the battlefield," Zelensky said. "Drones – unmanned systems – have proven their effectiveness in battles on land, in the sky, and at sea. Ukraine has significantly altered the security situation in the Black Sea thanks to drones. Repelling assaults on the ground is largely the work of drones, and the large-scale destruction of Russian occupiers and their equipment is also due to drones." (ILKHA)