Ukraine hits Russian Orion drone control station at Saky airfield

The station was hit near Novofedorivka, where the Saky airfield is located.

The Orion, also known as Inokhodets, is a Russian medium-altitude, long-endurance, or MALE-class, reconnaissance and strike drone system.

It can remain airborne for up to 24 hours, conduct electro-optical reconnaissance and target designation at altitudes of up to 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles), and carry guided missiles and aerial bombs with a total payload of up to 200-250 kilograms (440-550 pounds), according to the General Staff.

“Striking the ground control station significantly limits the enemy’s ability to use these systems in the relevant operational sector,” the military said.

Ukraine also strikes Russian drone site and depots

Ukrainian forces also struck a facility used to store, prepare and launch Russian attack drones near occupied Donetsk.

The General Staff additionally confirmed strikes on a Russian ammunition depot near Dovzhansk and a logistics depot near Kypuche in occupied Luhansk Oblast.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian military aviation and drone infrastructure in occupied Crimea and other Russian-controlled territories.

On Sept. 15 and overnight into Sept. 16, Ukrainian forces struck several other Russian military targets.

Among them was a Russian Su-24 tactical bomber at the Saky airfield, the General Staff said. The extent of damage to the aircraft was still being assessed.