This is embarrassing for the Kremlin: Deep inland in Russia, explosions occur on two military bases, several people die, some bombers are damaged. London sees this as a major setback for Moscow and expects the consequences.
British intelligence sees the recent explosions at two Russian military airports as a significant setback for the Kremlin. If Russia classifies the explosions, the cause of which is still unclear, as targeted attacks, the Kremlin will probably consider this a serious failure to protect its own troops, wrote the British Ministry of Defense in London.
Russia has blamed Ukraine for the attacks on the military airports "Dyagilevo" in the Ryazan region and "Engels" in the Saratov region on Monday that left at least three people dead. The British also classify the incident as significant because of its geographical location: "Engels" is more than 600 kilometers from Ukrainian-controlled areas.
The secret services suspect that Moscow could now move long-range bombers to other airfields. They are part of the Russian nuclear deterrent and are often used for conventional missile attacks on Ukraine. London also assumes that there will be personnel consequences. The chain of command will likely attempt to "identify and severely punish" Russian officers it holds responsible.
Initially, however, Russia reacted with massive attacks on Ukraine. Despite attempts by the Kiev regime to disrupt the combat operations of the Russian long-range air force with an act of terrorism, the armed forces again attacked Ukraine's military and energy infrastructure on Monday, the Defense Ministry said in Moscow. All 17 targets were hit.
Ukraine, on the other hand, said more than 60 of the more than 70 Russian missiles launched had been shot down. At least two people were killed in the attacks. Most recently, Russia had repeatedly attacked the energy and water supply in Ukraine with rockets after the Russian ground troops had to withdraw from some occupied areas.
