Russian forces may have lost as many as three military aircraft during efforts to intercept Ukrainian drones near St. Petersburg on the night of November 10–11. Reports from Russian military-linked channels suggest that several aircrews were killed, although the exact aircraft involved and the causes of the losses have not been independently established.
The incidents reportedly occurred during a Ukrainian drone attack targeting the Leningrad region, including the area around Ust-Luga, a major Russian port on the Gulf of Finland.
Russian military blogger Fighterbomber, followed by other pro-war channels, reported the loss of three aircraft and seven crew members. The accounts raised questions about whether the aircraft had been brought down by Russian air defenses or were involved in accidents during operations against the drones.
Some initial reports identified a MiG-31 long-range interceptor, a Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter and a Mi-8 helicopter among the losses. However, other accounts described two Ka-52 helicopters and one Mi-8, without mentioning a MiG-31.
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Neither version has been independently verified, and there is insufficient evidence to establish that a MiG-31 was destroyed.
Possible friendly fire under investigation
The possibility of friendly fire emerged from accounts circulating among Russian military commentators, who suggested that the aircraft may have been struck by their own air defenses during the response to the Ukrainian raid.
Other explanations, including collisions or operational accidents, have also circulated. The available information does not establish whether the incidents occurred in flight, during interception attempts or under different circumstances.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) acknowledged reports of possible Russian aviation losses in its November 11 assessment but noted that it had not identified verifiable imagery confirming the incidents. Its account referred to the possible loss of up to three helicopters.
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The reports of seven fatalities also remain unconfirmed by independently verifiable evidence. Russian military-linked sources have discussed the deaths of experienced crew members, but the identities and circumstances have not been conclusively established.
Ukrainian attack targeted strategic port region
Ust-Luga is one of Russia's principal maritime export facilities, handling substantial volumes of oil and other cargo through the Baltic Sea. The surrounding Leningrad region has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian long-range drones.
The November 10–11 attack prompted Russian defensive operations around the region. The reported aviation losses would represent an unusual consequence of such a raid, particularly if the aircraft were destroyed during attempts to counter relatively inexpensive unmanned systems.
The MiG-31 is a high-speed, long-range interceptor used by Russia for air defense missions. Some aircraft of the related MiG-31K variant are also configured to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, although there is no evidence that such a variant was involved in the reported incident.
Ukraine has previously attacked Russian military aviation at airfields using drones, but the circumstances described in the latest reports differ: the aircraft may have been lost during the defensive response rather than while parked on the ground.
