Ukrainian warplane ‘blasts Putin’s command in first direct hit’ on Russia

If confirmed, this would be Ukraine’s air force first hit inside Russia (Picture: Shutterstock)

Ukraine’s first ‘direct hit’ on a target inside Russia has been carried out on a command node, it has been claimed.

A warplane has for the first time fired a weapon on Sunday in the western region of Belgorod.

Reports differ as to what the target of the attack was – and the weapon deployed.

A Ukrainian military source cited by Sky News confirmed this is’ the first Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) air-delivered munition delivered against a target within Russia’.

‘A UAF mission has struck a Russian command node in Belgorod. While damage assessment is still occurring, it is confirmed as a direct hit,’ they added.

Meanwhile, Telegram channels reported that an ammunition depot was hit in a strike.

Footage shows smoke billowing into the sky moments after multiple explosions were heard in the village of Rakitnoye, some 22 miles from Ukraine.

In one video, a woman’s voice is heard, saying ‘I wonder if soldiers lived there?’

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov did not directly comment on the claims, but said that a fire had broken out in a ‘non-residential building’. He confirmed that no one was injured.

Belgorod has been the worst-hit region in Russia during the war as Ukraine hits back against constant attacks on its territory.

This attack comes just days after the US and Germany lifted an embargo on the use of Western weapons on military sites in Russia.

UK foreign secretary Cameron also gave Ukraine the go-ahead to decide how they use British weapons – such as Storm Shadow cruise missiles that can be fired by Ukrainian jets.

The Russian defence ministry said its forces had shot down a number of Ukrainian drones in the region. But it was not clear if the attack on the command node and the depot were part of the same assault.

It came less than 24 hours after three drones hit Belgorod, damaging a power line and blowing out windows. 

There have been multiple attacks on sites in Russia in the last week – and greater speculation about the weapons used – but Ukraine’s government has been wary to comment on them.

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