Tsymbulova UAV base in Russia targeted by Ukrainian forces

Ukrainian defense forces have reportedly struck the Tsymbulova UAV base located in Russia’s Oryol region, approximately 180km from the Ukrainian border. Satellite imagery has indicated signs of fire at the site, which is used for launching Geran-series jet drones.

Military analysts suggest that while ATACMS ballistic missiles with cluster warheads are ideal for such targets, the scale of the Tsymbulova complex presents significant challenges. The facility covers an area exceeding 2.5 square kilometers, spanning over 3.5km in length.

Technical assessments indicate that the standard M39 Block I ATACMS variant lacks the necessary range to reach the base. However, the long-range M39A1 Block I variant, which has a range of approximately 300km, could be utilized. Due to the vast size of the complex, theoretical estimates suggest that up to 250 M39A1 missiles would be required to cover the entire 2.5km² area with cluster munitions, though targeting specific launch sites could reduce this number significantly.