Thread by @MarcinRogowsk14

On 22 August 2024, a Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out a massive OWA UAV strike on the Marinovka Air Base, Volgograd Oblast, Russia. This should be a reasonably short thread.

https://x.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1826554097262068182

Let's start with the obvious losses. A Sukhoi Su-34 was completely destroyed here 48.638819, 43.777684.

https://x.com/MT_Anderson/status/1826657803408404865

This one is a little less obvious. In the sat photo from 25 April 2024 a Su-24M or MR is parked here 48.638739, 43.778199. On 19 August it seems to be still there (@MT_Anderson can you please post a zoom in). On 22 Aug there is a burn mark and debris, I think it was destroyed.

This area was previously used to store decommissioned Su-24 airfames, likely destined for spare parts. The destroyed Su-24 was almost certainly retired and not airworthy.

A light aircraft shelter was substantially damaged here 48.638207, 43.778135, apparently there was no aircraft inside. But we can see that at least some of the OWA UAVs were fitted with warheads filled with ball bearings.

Between November and December 2023, the Russians erected 12 light aircraft shelters on the apron in the eastern part of the base. Thanks to Airbus DS sat imagery from 22 August 2024 published by @MT_Anderson we can see the aftermath of the attack.

https://x.com/MT_Anderson/status/1826643666934661462

Shelters 1 and 2 were completely destroyed. Almost certainly there were no aircraft inside as 19 August imagery show lots of crates blocking the entrances and taxiway. These are most likely UMPK kits and bombs, the explosions of which destroyed both hangars.

To be continued in an hour or two.

Shelter 3 was destroyed by the detonation of bombs that were stored nearby. There is obviously a Su-34 underneath all the rubble. Judging by the shape of the shelter the aircraft inside will never fly again.

https://x.com/cyber_boroshno/status/1826651042744074327

Shelter 4 was also destroyed by the explosion of bombs stored nearby. The back wall fell of and whole structure collapsed to half of its original height. It's hard to be sure but I think there is nose of a Su-34 or Su-24 visible inside. If true the aircraft was surely damaged.

Shelter 5 was severely damaged by the explosion of bombs stored nearby. Here too, the back wall fell off and whole structure collapsed significantly decreasing its height. There is a Su-34 parked inside, certainly damaged (hard to say to what extent).

Shelter 6 was also seriously damaged. The back wall fell off and something pierced the roof, presumably an OWA UAV. A Su-34 is parked inside, certainly damaged (hard to say to what extent).

Shelter 7 was damaged. Here the back wall fell off too. A Su-24 is parked inside, hard to say but possibly damaged.

Shelters 8 and 9 were slightly damaged. The blast partially ripped off the back walls. There is a Su-24 parked in 9, and it's hard to say, but perhaps a Su-34 in 8. Damage to both aircraft was probably minor, if any at all.

Apparently, shelters 10, 11 and 12 remained intact. There is a Su-34 parked in 10.

To sum up:
Su-34 destroyed in maintenance and repair area
Su-24 (retired) destroyed in maintenance and repair area
Su-34 destroyed/damaged beyond repair in shelter 3
Su-34 damaged in shelter 5
Su-34 damaged in shelter 6
Su-24 possibly damaged in shelter 7

And depending on whether there was an aircraft in shelter 4, a Su-24/Su-34 damaged or damaged beyond repair.

https://x.com/MarcinRogowsk14/status/1826746896062578818

No signs of destroyed aircraft on the apron. Check out the Su-24 decoy painted on the first parking spot on the right. A truck tows a real Su-24 on a taxiway.

https://x.com/MT_Anderson/status/1826648675466313830

Another Su-24 decoy is painted here 48.642348, 43.798334. There is a curious pile of debris visible on the tarmac.

https://x.com/MT_Anderson/status/1826646152214970735