A flagship Russian long-range bomber has been destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike, according to reports.

Images posted on social media and analysed by BBC Verify show a Tupolev Tu-22 on fire at Soltsy-2 airbase, south of St Petersburg.

Moscow said that a drone was hit by small-arms fire but managed to "damage" a plane. Ukraine has not commented.

Later, Russian air defence downed two attack drones over the Moscow region, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Defence officials said two others were intercepted over the Bryansk region, north-east of the Ukrainian border.

Flights were suspended at Moscow's three biggest airports, according to state media - but the two main international airports at Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo later reopened.

 

The Russian Tu-22 bomber that was destroyed can travel at twice the speed of sound and has been used extensively by Russia to attack cities in Ukraine.

Moscow's defence ministry said in a statement that an attack by a "copter-type UAV" took place at around 10:00 Moscow time (08:00 BST) on Saturday.

It stated the location as "a military airfield in the Novgorod region", where Soltsy-2 is situated.

"The UAV was detected by the airfield's observation outpost and was hit with small-arms fire," the ministry said.

"One airplane was damaged; there were no casualties as a result of the terrorist act."

 

FULL STORY

 

Good salva Ukraine!

Asean"now" is reporting 3 days old news?

Oh dear Mr Putin.

 

Those nasty lying Ukrainians are use their to attack Mother Russia's territory,

 

Just like we have been doing for months.

 

What should we do?

 

Well I have a few suggestions, but I cannot post them here as I would be given a posting holiday.