File image.
On April 12, the US-based BlackSky Technology shared a satellite image showing the aftermath of a Russian naval missile strike on the Dnipro International Airport.
The strike, which took place on April 10, targeted components of an S-300 long-range air-defense system that was recently delivered to Ukraine by a European state, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The ministry was likely referring to the S-300PMU system that was recently supplied by Slovakia.
Several Kalibr cruise missiles launched from Russian Navy warships struck the airport’s main hangar, where the air-defense system was hidden.
According to the Russian MoD, the pinpoint missile strike destroyed four S-300 TELs [transporter erector launchers] and killed 25 Ukrainian troops.
The satellite image released by BlackSky Technology shows a cloud of black smoke rising from a severely damaged hangar in Dnipro International Airport. The image corresponds with the information provided by the Russian MoD.
$BKSY images and analytics of #Dnipro, #Ukraine at 3:47pm local (UTC+2) on April 10 show damage to buildings southwest of Dnipro International #Airport. Automated detection algorithms outline group of planes on northern tarmac with two small #aircraft on a ramp near main #runway. pic.twitter.com/T7tgnl1RN9
— BlackSky (@BlackSky_Inc) April 12, 2022
Slovakia shipped its only S-300PMU system along with 45 missiles to Ukraine early on in April in response to Kiev’s repeated appeals for air-defense systems.
The Russian military has already destroyed much of Ukraine’s air defenses. According to the Russian MoD’s most recent briefing, Ukraine has lost 244 short, medium and long-range air-defense systems since the beginning of the Russian special military operation.
