A drone hit an airfield in Novgorod region, Russia: a fire broke out. Photo

Russia has complained about a new attack, traditionally blaming the "Kyiv regime". The Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukraine used drones to attack a military airfield in Novgorod Region on August 19, where Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers carrying X-22 missiles are based.

The department of Sergei Shoigu confirmed the damage to one aircraft. At the same time, several local channels and some media write that at least two units of aircraft were on fire.

The aggressor state, which has been waging a full-scale war against Ukraine for a year and a half, called the UAV attack on the Soltsy military airfield in Novgorod Region "terrorist action". According to journalist Andriy Tsaplienko, Tu-22M3 strategic bombers are based there, carrying out strikes on peaceful Ukrainian cities.

"Today the Kyiv regime carried out a terrorist attack using a UAV on a military airfield in the Novgorod region around 10.00 Moscow time. The UAV was detected by the settlement airfield's external surveillance post and was hit with small firearms," the occupiers said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that as a result of the attack on the airfield, a fire started in the aircraft parking lot. He even acknowledged damage to one of them.

"As a result of the terrorist attack on the territory of the airfield, a fire broke out in the parking lot of airplanes, which was promptly extinguished by firefighting crews. One airplane was damaged, but there are no casualties as a result of the terrorist act," the department of Shoigu said.

Except that the Russian Defense Ministry has traditionally underestimated its losses. Local channels, as well as some Russian media publications, said at least two airplanes were damaged.

"Two airplanes are on fire on the Soltsy airbase in the Novgorod region, presumably due to a drone strike, local channels report," Ateo Breaking writes.

"Eyewitnesses say that at least two airplanes exploded after the UAV strike on the Soltsy military airfield," VCHK-OGPU reports.

The public cites data from international services indicating that the surviving long-range supersonic missile carrier bombers Tu-22M3 are moving to Olenya in the Murmansk region after the attack.

Footage of smoke rising above the military facility also appeared online.

The news is being updated.