Russia in panic as vital military pipelines in Far East explode
Ukraine has claimed a successful strike on a Russian air base, as well as a gas pipeline and water pipeline
Ukraine has reported a successful strike on a Russian air base, as well as hitting a gas and water pipeline, while Russia ramped up its aerial attacks with an overnight drone onslaught, dampening any hopes for headway in resolving the conflict that has now exceeded three years.
Ukraine managed to damage a gas pipeline and obliterate a water pipeline in Russia's Vladivostok, which served military installations in the vicinity, according to an intelligence source who spoke to the Kyiv Independent on July 5. Post-explosion fires ravaged sections of the Vladivostok gas pipeline near the Sea of Japan, the source indicated.
Additionally, the Ukrainian military's General Staff announced that their forces struck the Borisoglebsk air base in Russia's Voronezh region, which is known to host Russia's Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM fighter jets. The General Staff shared details of the attack on Facebook, noting the damage inflicted on glide bomb storage, a training aircraft, and "possibly other aircraft."
These blasts took place in the early hours of July 5, between 1-2 a.m., with Russian special services and repair crews arriving soon after. The explosions coincided with the city of Vladivostok's 165th anniversary celebration on July 2.
Russian authorities have not yet issued a response to the allegations of the attack. These assaults on Russian air bases represent strategic efforts by Ukraine to diminish Russia's military capabilities and demonstrate their capacity to hit major targets deep within Russian borders.
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Ukraine had previously declared that it had destroyed more than 40 Russian aircraft at multiple airfields far inside Russia through a surprise drone offensive. During the night leading into Saturday, Russia deployed 322 drones and decoys targeting Ukraine, according to Ukraine's air force. Of these, 157 were shot down and eliminated, while 135 went missing, likely due to electronic interference.
The air force reported that the western Khmelnytskyi region experienced the heaviest bombardment. Governor Serhii Tyurin confirmed on Saturday that no damage, injuries, or deaths had been reported.
Russia has escalated its long-distance attacks on Ukraine, with a major aerial campaign striking Kyiv overnight into Friday, representing the most extensive such assault since the Russian invasion began. On Saturday, Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that the death count from the strike had climbed to two, with an additional 31 people wounded.
This recent bombardment comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Friday that he had engaged in a "very important and productive" discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump. During their conversation, the leaders discussed strengthening Ukrainian air defenses, potential joint weapons manufacturing between the U.S. and Ukraine, and wider U.S.-led initiatives to end the conflict with Russia, according to Zelenskyy's statement.
When pressed by reporters on Friday evening about the phone call, Trump responded, "We had a very good call, I think." Addressing questions about resolving the hostilities, Trump stated: "I don't know. I can't tell you whether or not that's going to happen."
The United States has temporarily suspended certain military aid deliveries to Ukraine, including crucial air defense missiles. Ukraine's main European partners are assessing methods to offset this gap.
Zelenskyy has suggested that plans are underway to strengthen Ukraine's domestic weapons manufacturing, though scaling up will take time.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted 94 Ukrainian drones overnight into Saturday, with another 45 drones destroyed Saturday morning and early afternoon. While no fatalities were reported, local authorities in the Saratov region said that 25 apartments in the city of Engels sustained damage from Ukrainian drones.
Moscow's Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, declared that four Ukrainian drones were intercepted and shot down as they neared Moscow on Saturday. In response to this, air traffic was briefly halted at one of Moscow's airports, Sheremetyevo, as per the Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsiya.
