Russia

FACTBOX: What we know about foiled attack on military airfield in Rostov-on-Don

TASS English · 2026-07-10

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The FSB thwarted a planned terrorist attack by Ukraine's military intelligence on a military airfield in Rostov-on-Don, which involved the use of AI-equipped drones. A Russian citizen reported the plot to authorities after being approached for recruitment. • Why it matters: The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, showcasing the use of advanced technology in warfare and the potential for significant damage to military infrastructure. • What to watch next: Investigations into the broader network behind the planned attack are ongoing, and further developments may arise regarding Ukraine's intelligence operations and Russia's security measures.

FACTBOX: What we know about foiled attack on military airfield in Rostov-on-Don The FSB identified a Russian citizen in the Rostov Region sought by Ukraine's military intelligence to recruit to carry out a sabotage and terrorist attack in exchange for a monetary reward after blowing up the Rostov-Central military airfield© FSB Public Relations Center/TASSMOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) planned a large-scale terrorist attack on a military airfield in Rostov-on-Don using AI-equipped FPV drones, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said. The suspected perpetrator reported the planned attack to the authorities, and the operation was subsequently carried out under the FSB's control before being thwarted at the preparation stage. TASS has compiled the key facts known so far. Preventing the attack - The FSB identified a Russian citizen in the Rostov Region sought by Ukraine's military intelligence to recruit to carry out a sabotage and terrorist attack in exchange for a monetary reward after blowing up the Rostov-Central military airfield. - After receiving the offer from a GUR representative, the man voluntarily contacted the regional security service and reported the planned terrorist attack, the FSB said. - The subsequent operation was conducted under the supervision of FSB officers. - Instructions for carrying out the attack and the coordinates of a cache containing FPV drones were obtained from the GUR operative. - After the drones were located and deactivated, and after the suspect received an advance payment equal to 20% of the promised reward, contact with the foreign intelligence service was severed, the FSB said. - As a result of the measures taken and the prompt response to the information provided, the planned terrorist attack was prevented at the preparation stage. Kiev's plans - The goal of the large-scale attack was to destroy the airfield's infrastructure, kill military personnel, and damage its aircraft fleet, the FSB said. - The enemy planned to use 13 AI-equipped FPV drones, each carrying more than one kilogram of explosives in TNT equivalent. - According to an FSB officer involved in deactivating the drones, Ukraine's intelligence services intended to attack the military airfield with a swarm of drones equipped with an automatic terminal guidance system. - He said each drone had its own color marking and a designated target square. - Once inside that target area, the drones would lose communications and automatically guide themselves to the target. Investigation - The planned attack was one of a series of unprecedented terrorist attacks prepared by Ukraine's special services that the FSB has thwarted. - Efforts to identify everyone involved in preparing the planned terrorist attack are ongoing. Military operation in UkraineRussia’s appeals over Starobelsk college attack disregarded by OSCE — senior LPR lawmakerFirst Deputy Chairman of the People’s Council Andrey Sopelnik added that the UN Human Rights Council did not respond as wellRead moreIsrael kills head of Islamic Jihad group's production department in GazaAccording to the IDF, the man played a central role in numerous processes within the unit responsible for the production and supply of the entire range of weapons to the military wing of the radical organizationRead moreTechnical talks between US, Iran continue — ReutersThe news agency said, citing a US official, that Washington is still committed to finding a solution with IranRead moreUS to authorize German purchases of Tomahawk missiles, Typhon launchersThe number of missiles and launchers that Germany plans to buy remains a secretRead moreMali finds evidence of Ukraine-trained terrorists operating in countryVice President of the Defense Commission of the country's Transitional Council Fousseynou Ouattara emphasized that all the drones used by the terrorists are of Ukrainian originRead moreEvacuation underway in Russia's Taganrog after UAV attackThe UAV threat remains in effect in the city, Mayor Svetlana Kambulova saidRead moreWestern diplomats call Russia anonymously to discuss human rights reportGrigory Lukyantsev highlighted that outwardly the Western diplomats pretended that the report did not existRead moreRussian regions reliant on northern deliveries require special attention regarding fuelAlexander Novak stressed that all measures aimed at supplying such regions with necessary resources should be closely monitored by the authorities and decisions should be made as quickly as possibleRead moreUkraine will begin Patriot missile production in two years at best, expert saysKonstantin Kosolap noted that prior to production, a new factory should be constructed and the required technology masteredRead moreNew wave of US strikes, Iran's response: situation in Middle EastUS President Donald Trump called the new wave of strikes on Iran retaliation for alleged attacks on vesselsRead moreTurkey's first nuke plant to be commissioned later this year — Rosatom CEOAlexey Likhachev says the project is "a key task" facing Russia’s state atomic energy corporationRead moreWashington kicking Kiev Patriot license is bargaining ploy — Russian MPAccording to Konstantin Basyuk, even if the license is transferred immediately, setting up full-scale production, training specialists, and establishing component supplies will take a long timeRead moreKiev needs to hold Slavyansk, Kramatorsk during NATO summit — expertAndrey Marochko says Vladimir Zelensky needs to show the West that the Ukrainian army is "doing fine and stable"Read morePress review: US, Europe may clash over Ukraine as China missile alarms Pacific regionTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 7thRead moreOil base reservoir in Tver Region catches fire after Ukraine’s drone attackThe fire has been localized, no casualties were reported, Vitaly Korolev saidRead moreOil and gas revenues of Russian budget down 22.7% in 1H year-on-yearNon-oil and gas revenues of the budget for January-June 2026 increased by 16.3% year-on-year to $197 blnRead moreUS strikes Iran bridge on transport corridor connecting it with Russia, China — FarsThe strike targeted a railway bridge in the Akkala area of Golestan province near the Turkmen borderRead moreRussia’s FIS chief says work underway to clear Russians for int’l competitionsThe Council of FIS didn’t discuss the issue of the return of Russian athletes at its July 7 meetingRead moreTajikistan's oil production rises 9.3% in H1 2026 — Energy MinistryThe country produced 10,013 metric tons of oil in the first six months of 2026Read moreSingle Russian Lancet drone crew destroys 20 pieces of Ukrainian equipment in DPRThe targets hit included a Bogdana self-propelled gun, a T-62 tank, and armored combat vehicles transporting Ukrainian troops and ammunition to the front linesRead moreEurope speculates about Russia's alleged defeat to justify militarization — diplomatThe notion that Russia, suffering defeat, might suddenly strike NATO territory tomorrow is utterly illogical, Anna Yevstigneyeva emphasizedRead moreNetanyahu tells Trump that Erdogan’s anti-Israeli remarks were seriousThe Israeli prime minister emphasized that the remarks were directed against the existence of the State of IsraelRead morePress review: NATO summit pledges 140 bln euros for Ukraine and US ends Iran peace effortsTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 9thRead moreNo hope in human rights situation in Ukraine — Russian Foreign MinistryGrigory Lukyantsev, Russian Foreign Ministry's department director, says the section on this country has become the largest in the joint report of Russia and Belarus on the human rights situation in some countriesRead moreChinese embassy to US expects Kiev to view Beijing’s role in Ukraine context objectivelySpokesperson Liu Chang says dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way out of the crisisRead moreIranian army reports cruise missile attack on US vessels off Bahrain coastAccording to the report, a US destroyer was among those targetedRead moreRussia-Belarus human rights report to be handed over to UN commissioner soonThere has been no official substantive reaction to the reports yet, Grigory Lukyantsev, Russian Foreign Ministry's department director, saysRead moreUkrainian troops abandon weapons, ammunition made in Poland, France, Italy in VasilyevkaCommander Mikhail Knyazkin says "a huge amount" of weapons and ammunition was left behindRead moreRussian, Chinese ships enter Yellow Sea for Joint Sea-2026 drillsThe press service recalled that commanders and officers had previously completed planning for the sea phase of the drills using navigation chartsRead moreAverage gasoline price in US has risen amid escalation in Middle EastThe highest fuel prices are recorded in California where a gallon of gasoline costs an average of $5.38Read moreRussia aims to assist Mozambique in achieving economic self-reliance — LavrovAccording to the Russian top diplomat, the primary task is to secure additional economic projects that will foster Mozambique’s economic independence and uphold its right to choose its own partners on the international stageRead moreSpain 'nobody’s lackey,' Spanish minister says in response to TrumpPablo Bustinduy emphasized that he wasn't ruffled by the US president’s latest remarksRead moreLondon, Stockholm courts issue unlawful rulings on Russian companies — PutinHead of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin stressed that they were politically motivatedRead morePatriot license transfer to Kiev aimed at securing US firms in Ukraine — expertAlexander Stepanov added that the technology transfer implies setting up costly production linesRead moreSerbia not to impose visas for Russians — ministerRussian citizens "are the most welcome guests in our country," Nenad Popovic saidRead moreRussia’s Mnogotochie special rounds effective against drones — RostecAccording to Bekkhan Ozdoyev, industrial director of Rostec’s Armament Cluster, board member of the Union of Russian Machine-Building Enterprises, combat operations in the special military operation zone in Ukraine are called a "drone war" because drones attack both equipment and soldiers from all sidesRead moreDiplomat reveals number of Russian civilian casualties from past week’s attacks by Ukraine38 Russian civilians, including one child, were killed, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saidRead moreKiev doesn't consider consequences of continued attacks on nuke sites — Russian diplomatAnna Yevstigneyeva emphasized that there was no military logic in those attacksRead moreRussian troops strike Ukrainian army’s logistics centers, energy sites in past dayThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,385 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreRussia has sufficient potential to continue special military operation — KremlinRussia is ready for a peaceful resolution but has enough capability to act independently, Dmitry Peskov stressedRead moreCzech president says West has two-month 'window' to restart Russia talks — The TelegraphPetr Pavel also called for further militarizing EuropeRead moreDeath toll from Venezuela earth quake climbs to 3,88916,740 people were injured and 17,907 were left homeless, said Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the National AssemblyRead moreIgla shotgun cartridges can pierce toughest drones — RostecThe cartridges are being mass-produced and supplied to Russian Armed Forces units performing combat missionsRead moreIN BRIEF: Five injured in car accident involving Kursk Region top officialFirst Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Kursk Region government Alexander Chepik was not injuredRead moreUS warplanes again detected circling over Persian GulfBesides, two more planes are flying over the Persian Gulf coast and two - over the neutral waters of the Gulf of OmanRead moreUS prepared for potential strikes on Iran, conducting diplomacy for now — TVUS officials told CNN that the situation is dynamicRead moreNATO's aggressive actions and countering Patriot systems: Kremlin's statementsDmitry Peskov noted that the Russian government is doing everything necessary to protect the countryRead moreIran was able to ‘smash’ US, Israel, despite NATO involvement in conflict — MPAlaeddin Boroujerdi highlighted that the Americans saw it as their goal to interfere in the affairs of every independent country and bring war to itRead moreNATO summit sought to draw Trump into conflict with Russia — diplomatRodion Miroshnik emphasized that maintaining strategic uncertainty is one of the main features of European policy, in particular, "against this backdrop, it is very easy to make high-profile statements that have no real outcome"Read moreBritish singer Bonnie Tyler dies at 75The singer passed away in a hospital in Portugal following an illness for which she was undergoing treatmentRead moreNaval base in southeastern Iran comes under attack — news agencyGovernor of the Konarak County Mohammad Younes Haqqani says the attack, which was carried out in two stages, using fighter jets, resulted in two explosionsRead moreLavrov says Russia agreed to US proposals at Alaska summitThe Russian top diplomat said that any other interpretations were irrelevantRead moreState of emergency introduced in Zaporozhye Region from July 9 due to drone-induced firesThe total area of destroyed winter wheat crops amounts to 1,479 hectaresRead moreUAC delivers Su-30SM2, Su-34 fighter jets to Russian Defense Ministry — RostecThe aircraft have completed the entire cycle of required ground and flight factory tests and have departed for their duty stationsRead morePossibility of Putin-Trump conversation, US duplicity — topics of Peskov's briefingRussia believes US President Donald Trump was mistaken in suggesting that an escalation of military operations between Russia and Ukraine could contribute to an early settlement, Dmitry Peskov statedRead moreCoastal phase of Russian-Chinese Joint Sea 2026 exercise starts in QingdaoCultural and sporting events were also held, including several friendly basketball matches, the last of which featured Russian and Chinese sailors participating as part of combined international teamsRead moreRussia’s budget deficit totals 2.5% of GDP in January-June — ministryFederal budget revenue increased by 5.8% compared to the same period in 2025, to 18,622 bln rubles Read morePolitician says Kiev behind Monaco attack over tycoon’s plan to expose Ukraine corruptionViktor Medvedchuk says the uncovering of the schemes "would have spelt a disaster for the Kiev regime ahead of the NATO summit"Read moreMozambique, Russia to hold intergovernmental commission meeting in SeptemberMozambican Foreign Minister Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas says the talks would focus on the economic sphereRead moreTrump’s proposals on Ukrainian airspace closure represent something new for MoscowDmitry Peskov stressed that the proposal voiced by the American president contradicted one of the set objectives of the Russian special military operationRead moreSCO, Laos sign memorandum on Dialogue Partner status for VientianeAccording to SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, Vientiane is ready to play an active part in the SCO’s workRead moreGerman parliament rejects Greens’ initiative to deliver Taurus missiles to KievOnly 79 lawmakers voted in support of the documentRead moreNo direct condemnation from UN of Ukrainian terrorist attacks against Russia — diplomatAnna Yevstigneyeva recalled that the UN Secretary-General had issued two condemnations of Russian strikes allegedly targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine over the past weekRead moreRussia no longer trusts West’s declared readiness to negotiate — LavrovThe Russian Foreign Minister says negotiated solutions were reached back in 2014, 2015, and 2019, but the West’s guarantees were dismantled by the West itselfRead moreAt least million people arrive in Mashhad to attend Khamenei’s funeralApart from Iranians, who arrived from all over the country, people with flags of Pakistan, Lebanon and Palestine could also be seen in the crowdRead moreSome Iranian missiles fired at US bases in Middle East reached targets — WSJUS officials claimed the attacks had caused minor damage and no casualtiesRead moreUkraine to get Patriot missiles soon — ZelenskyVladimir Zelensky also said that Kiev and Washington had reached agreements about producing interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems on the territory of UkraineRead moreMozambique plans to cooperate with Russia on economic development — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister drew attention to the continued dependence of many African countries on their former colonial powers and other Western nationsRead moreEurope openly prepares for war with Russia — representative to OSCEDmitry Polyansky said that only "shock therapy" could potentially shake the West out of its "militaristic psychosis"Read moreUN charter relevant while Germany, Japan, Italy vote against resolution on NazismGrigory Lukyantsev, Russian Foreign Ministry's department director, said that the number of states voting annually for the Russian resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism is stableRead moreRussia develops Skat amphibious drone for underwater logistics"The Skat platform is remotely controlled and designed for underwater, surface, and land use," Executive Director of the Spektr Design Bureau Andrey Bratenkov saidRead moreTrump calls Ukraine's strikes deep into Russia escalation of conflictAccording to the US leader, it is an escalation that could lead to an end to the conflictRead moreNobody going to admit Ukraine to NATO even in a decade, former PM saysNikolay Azarov added that, at the same time, no NATO ally receives as much funding, the same amount of modern weapons, intelligence, and political support as UkraineRead moreIN BRIEF: FSB foils major series of terrorist attacks targeting Russian service membersAs a result of operations conducted by law enforcement officers, a terrorist accomplice, a Russian female citizen, was detainedRead moreCSTO nations discuss details of Interaction, Search, Echelon-2026 military exercisesAccording to the organization, representatives of the defense ministries of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as the CSTO Joint Staff and Secretariat, took part in the staff talksRead moreAist reconnaissance-strike system was demonstrated in KazanIvan Terekhov, Executive Director of Irbis Sky Tech, noted that the Aist has already undergone testing in the special military operational zoneRead moreNo specific plans for political contacts with Russia, senior Japanese diplomat saysTakeshi Akahori added that no contacts were planned on the sidelines of upcoming ASEAN events in Manila in mid-JulyRead moreRussian tech firm Gagaring offers jobs to Volkswagen employees on chopping blockFor those who accept the offer, the laboratory guarantees permanent employment contracts, a competitive salary, and comprehensive relocation support for specialists and their familiesRead moreRussia kills Ukrainian drone commander, border officer in special op zoneThe official also said that the Hawks took part in the invasion of the Kursk Region and terrorized the people of the border areas with dronesRead moreRussia fully aware of US actively supplying weapons to Kiev, has no delusions — KremlinThe decision for the US to transfer a license for the production of Patriot systems to Ukraine was announced yesterday by US President Donald TrumpRead moreIran uses Soviet-era fighter jets to provide security at Khamenei's funeralThe jets conducted patrols to secure the airspace over Mashhad as part of heightened security measuresRead moreQatar suspends ramp-up of LNG production following attack on tanker — BloombergOperations at the facility will be scaled back to a minimum, with the number of vessels being loaded reducedRead moreForeigners helped Kiev make drone for attempt on life of senior Russian officer — FSBThis follows from an audio recording of a telephone conversation between a Russian detained in Krasnodar and his Ukrainian handlerRead moreInternational Modern Pentathlon Union lifts sanctions against Russia — sports chiefThe International Olympic Committee earlier recommended lifting restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes in all international tournamentsRead moreRussia’s appeals over Starobelsk college attack disregarded by OSCE — senior LPR lawmakerFirst Deputy Chairman of the People’s Council Andrey Sopelnik added that the UN Human Rights Council did not respond as wellRead moreRussia as long-term threat and obligations to Ukraine: NATO summit declarationIn the final declaration, the NATO countries declared their commitment to Article 5 on collective defenseRead moreOrganizers announce Eastern Economic Forum’s theme for 2026The forum will take place in Vladivostok on September 1-4Read moreMuhammad most popular boys name for newborns in England, Wales for third straight yearThe second and third most popular male names were Noah and LeoRead moreSerbia's economy open to Russia, China — ministerNenad Popovic explained that economic openness was a priority for Serbia, as "the results of such cooperation benefit our citizens and contribute to the country's prosperity"Read moreWest does not care how many people killed in Russia, Ukraine — Russian diplomatRussia's Acting Permanent Representative to the UN Anna Yevstigneyeva stated that "deaths of innocent civilians, killings of women, children and the elderly will not stop them"Read moreJapan supports anti-Russian sanctions, but maintaining ties is important — senior diplomatAccording to Takeshi Akahori, Tokyo "will act accordingly, based on what serves its national interests"Read moreRussian stocks close in the red on ThursdayThe ruble-denominated MOEX Index dropped by 1.53%, the dollar-denominated RTS Index decreased by 0.92%Read moreIsrael ready to resume campaign against Iran — defense ministerThe United States and Israel started a war with Iran on February 28Read moreSound of explosion in Bushehr caused by air defense engagementA military base on the outskirts of the city was attacked, Bushehr Province Deputy Governor Ehsan Jahanian saidRead moreFrance wins quarter-final match against MoroccoThe team beat Morocco 2-0Read moreFACTBOX: What we know about terror attack on senior Russian general in MoscowA parked car exploded at 12, Yasenevaya Street at around 7:00 a.m. Moscow timeRead moreKey statements from President Putin's meeting with Cabinet on fuel situationThe president noted that Russia's current fuel difficulties are temporary, adding that the country's energy sector possesses a high margin of safetyRead moreIran’s late Supreme Leader Khamenei laid to rest in MeshhedKhamenei was buried at the Imam Reza Holy Shrine, alongside his family members who were also killed as a result of US-Israeli bombingsRead moreRussia waits for OPCW to react to Kiev’s use of toxic chemicals — permanent representativeFor instance, Russia informed the organization about the discovery of smoke grenades with chloropicrin at Ukraine’s positions in the DPR, as well as about a Ukrainian drone attack carried out with improvised munitions containing the same substance on a school building in the DPRRead morePress review: NATO summit sets Ukraine support as EU resists sanctions critics in EU blocTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 8thRead moreRussian forces advancing simultaneously in two areas in DPR — expertAndrey Marochko added that Russian troops are also advancing southwest of Kutuzovka along the Byk RiverRead more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Russian troops using newest Zavarukha counter-battery system in special op zone — NPO Alfa

• What happened: Russian troops have deployed the new Zavarukha counter-battery system in the special military operation zone in Ukraine, designed for detecting...

Russia

Up to 11 parties to appear on federal ballot in Russian parliamentary elections — official

• What happened: Up to 11 political parties will be on the federal ballot for Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections, as announced by Central Election C...

Russia

US finds itself in strategic dead end in situation with Iran — expert

• What happened: The United States is facing a strategic dead end in its conflict with Iran, as stated by diplomat Richard N. Haass, with military actions faili...

Russia

Russian stock market declines at start of trading

• What happened: The Russian stock market experienced a decline at the start of trading, with the MOEX and RTS indices falling by 0.54% to 2,174.85 and 901.22 p...

Russia

Turkey sells Russian-made S-400 systems to Gulf nation — newspaper

• What happened: Turkey has reportedly sold Russian-made S-400 missile systems to a Gulf nation, with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar mentioned as potential ...

Russia

Ukraine Strikes Oil Refinery in Southern Russia

• What happened: A Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar and led to evacuations in Taganrog due to strikes on a seaport. ...