Kyiv, Ukraine

Ukraine on Friday (Apr 5) claimed to have killed or injured at least 20 Russian officials during an attack on the Morozovsk military air base in the Rostov region. Kyiv also said that it destroyed six Russian warplanes and damaged around eight others. 

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A Kyiv intelligence source told the news agency Reuters that the joint operation was conducted by the SBU security service and military. 

The sources stated that Russian tactical bombers like the Sukhoi Su-24 and Su-24M use the Morozovsk air base. These bombers are mostly used by Russian air to fire guided bombs at the Ukrainian military and frontline towns and cities. 

Russian defence officials claimed they intercepted more than 40 Ukrainian drones, and said that only a power substation was damaged. 

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Also read: NATO chief weighs in on ‘multi-year’ commitments to support Ukraine for ‘long haul’ 

Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russian targets 

In recent days, Ukraine has significantly stepped up its drone attacks on targets in Russia, particularly on oil refineries in an effort to reduce Russian oil revenue. 

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Ukraine has often asked the allies for long-range missiles but they are unable to produce them rapidly with limited access to those made by Western allies. 

A senior government official told Reuters earlier this year that Kyiv hoped to produce thousands of long-range drones in 2024. 

Kyiv has also focused on developing long-range uncrewed vehicles to strike back at Russia in the ongoing war, which started in 2022. 

Also read: Ukraine lowers army draft age to 25 to generate more fighting power 

Watch: Putin warns any F-16s donated to Ukraine will be shot down after Ukraine attack on oil refineries 

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Ukrainian forces try to hold Russians 

Meanwhile, news agencies reported that the fighting raged on Friday between Ukrainian and Russian forces near the town of Chasiv Yar, which is a Ukrainian stronghold in the east. However, Kyiv has denied such claims and said that Russian troops had not reached the suburbs. 

Russian forces are inching forward in eastern Ukraine after capturing the bastion town of Avdiivka in February. Kyiv's soldiers are trying to dig in, facing long-term shortages of artillery shells with US aid stuck in Congress. 

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

(With inputs from agencies)