In the Avdeevka direction, Russian Su-25 attack aircraft, known by some as Rooks, reportedly carried out strikes that affected military personnel and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine within a designated special operations zone. The information was released by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation via TASS, outlining the operational context of the engagement.
According to the ministry, these attack aircraft conducted missions on behalf of the Center group of troops under conditions characterized by strong electronic countermeasures employed by Ukrainian forces. The narrative emphasizes how electronic warfare shaped the timing and routing of the mission, with the aircraft navigating the terrain to minimize exposure before engaging the assigned targets.
The crews reportedly traversed terrain at very low altitude, approaching the objective and initiating fire at the point of optimal accuracy. They allegedly employed unguided S-8 missiles against the enemy and then executed anti-missile maneuvers, deploying heat traps and abruptly changing course to complicate pursuit and minimize the chance of interception.
State sources stated that the firing sequence involved a deliberate shooting maneuver. Warplanes reportedly gained altitude sharply, lifting their noses above the horizon prior to launching the missiles, a tactic described to maximize trajectory control and impact on the designated targets.
Additionally, officials noted that frontline supersonic fighter-bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces, including the Su-34, were engaged in operations toward the South Donetsk direction. The statement positions these aircraft within broader air operations conducted to support ground forces and validate capability in contested airspace.
In a related report, Russian aviation was described as having previously released FAB-500 aerial bombs targeting Ukrainian formations, underscoring a pattern of air-delivered ordnance in support of ground operations across reported sectors.