Russian Oreshnik ballistic missiles may have been used in a strike on the airfield in Belaya Tserkov in the Kiev Region, according to military analyst and retired Captain 1st Rank Vasily Dandykin.

He said the site plays an important role in supplying Ukrainian forces. Weapons could be unloaded there, ammunition distributed, and drones transferred for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Dandykin noted that Oreshnik is designed to hit military targets, which could include plants and command posts. He said strikes were also reported on Belaya Tserkov, describing it as a major transport hub with an airfield, where weapons, ammunition and unmanned aerial vehicles could be handled. He also pointed to the presence of a thermal power plant there and said energy facilities had also been hit.

The analyst added that before the missile strikes, Russian forces launched large numbers of drones across Ukrainian territory. In his assessment, this tactic helped overload Ukraine’s already weakened air defense system and made it harder to intercept the main targets.

According to Dandykin, the attack was carried out alongside Iskander-M missiles, Kinzhals and Zircons. Hundreds of drones were launched first to overwhelm enemy air defenses. He said Patriot air defense systems were used, but, in his view, with very low effectiveness, while Ukraine’s air defense is now seriously depleted.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Russian forces carried out a massive strike on military facilities in Ukraine on the night of May 24. According to the ministry, Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal and Zircon missiles were used in the attack. The ministry said the operation was a response to Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on civilian facilities.