Neptune strike destroys six Su-34M bombers: Russia strike report for 15 October 2026
Ukraine’s Navy reported destroying six Russian Su-34M bombers with the Neptune missile system at Borisoglebsk airfield in Voronezh Oblast. Equipment used to support flight operations was also destroyed. President Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile announced the resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries after a three-day pause.
Demilitarizator brings together the main confirmed reports of strikes on targets in Russia and Ukrainian defence forces’ combat results available on the morning of 15 October.
Neptune strike on Borisoglebsk airfield: six Su-34M bombers destroyed
Overnight into 15 October, Ukraine’s Navy used the Neptune coastal missile system to strike Borisoglebsk military airfield in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast.
According to the Navy’s official statement, six Su-34M fighter-bombers and technical equipment supporting flight operations were destroyed. Secondary explosions and a fire were reported at the airfield.
The Russian military uses Su-34M aircraft to deliver guided aerial bombs and missiles. They can carry several aerial munitions simultaneously and are a major threat to Ukrainian positions and towns near the front line.
The Navy said the destruction of these aircraft weakens Russia’s tactical aviation and reduces its ability to deploy those aircraft on the relevant sectors of the front.
Zelensky announces the resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries in an interview with the Financial Times published on 15 October.
Ukraine had refrained from striking Russian energy infrastructure for three days, while Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy facilities.
Zelensky said the ban had been lifted and that Ukraine had had enough.
The president’s announcement marked the end of the pause in Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil refining industry.
Drone forces report 1,678 targets hit on 14 October
On the morning of 15 October, Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi published the grouping’s results for the previous day, 14 October.
He reported that its units destroyed or hit 1,678 enemy targets. Russian personnel casualties attributed to the grouping that day totalled 536 killed or wounded.
For 1–14 October, the grouping reported 32,172 targets hit and 7,306 Russian personnel casualties. Brovdi said the results had been verified in the Delta situational awareness system.
Over those two weeks, the grouping carried out 124,500 strike and reconnaissance combat missions. Verified Russian personnel casualties were approximately 24.65% higher than in the equivalent period of September.
These figures cover the Unmanned Systems Forces grouping alone and include different types of combat operations.
Report summary for 15 October
The main confirmed result is Ukraine’s Neptune strike on Borisoglebsk airfield. According to the Navy, Russia lost six Su-34M bombers and equipment needed to support flight operations.
Striking aircraft on the ground reduces Russia’s ability to use aviation against Ukraine. The president’s announcement on renewed refinery strikes also marked the end of the pause in that part of Ukraine’s long-range campaign.
How the figures changed
The data may be revised when official statements or further assessment become available.