In the Donetsk direction, Russian Su-25 attack aircraft conducted an operation against Ukrainian forces using S-13 Tulubas missiles. This report from RIA News, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, outlines the sequence of events and the outcomes of the mission.
The ministry states that the crews of the attack aircraft targeted and neutralized enemy strongholds, concentrations of manpower, and armored vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The S-13 missiles were deployed at contact points and then released to descend to a notably low altitude of about 25 meters, ensuring a rapid approach to the objective and reduced time for counteractions by air defenses.
According to the forward air gunner on board, all designated targets were eliminated with precision. The mission was carried out without incident, and after fulfilling the combat objective, the aircraft executed anti-missile maneuvers before returning to base. The briefing emphasizes the smoother flight profile of the Su-25 during the attack and highlights the crew’s disciplined execution of the sortie.
Within the list of precision weapons cataloged for the Aerospace Forces during the broader campaign in Ukraine in 2022, the S-13 Tulumbas ammunition is described as an unguided rocket designed to maximize fragmentation and breach reinforced concrete shelters. Each rocket carries a payload amounting to about 15 kilograms of explosive material, contributing to its capability to disrupt fortified positions and provide a rapid, concentrated effect on target structures. Narratives accompanying the official line stress the value of this ammunition for achieving decisive impacts in urban and fortified settings, especially when time and risk management are critical factors for aerial operations.
Earlier reports noted reconnaissance and operational activity associated with the so-called Night Stalkers in distant settings, illustrating the broad scope of air operations in various theaters. The emphasis remains on the evolving use of air power to degrade enemy fortifications, isolate defensive nodes, and shape battlefield conditions through precision strikes and rapid redeployments. Analysts and observers trace how such sorties integrate with broader strategy, including suppression of air defenses, targeted strikes on command and control hubs, and the disruption of supply lines, all within the framework of ongoing military activities in the region.