Russian Olenya base was hit by a Ukrainian drone, not by NATO

Context

Social media users are discussing a drone strike on Russia's Olenya airfield in the far north of the country that took place on Saturday, July 27, 2024. One X (formerly known as Twitter) user published a post (archived here) stating that NATO was behind the attack. As of writing, the post has more than 253,000 views. 

However, although there was a drone attack on the base, it was Ukrainian, as confirmed by Ukrainian intelligence. Ukraine is not a member of NATO.

The Olenya air base is located in the Arctic on the Kola Peninsula, more than 1,900 kilometers north of Ukraine and about 200 kilometers from the Finnish border. The airfield has been used to launch Russian cruise missile attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. 

In fact

Ukrainian media Ukrainian Pravda stated, "On Saturday, July 27, Ukrainian reconnaissance drones struck a TU-22M3 long-range strategic bomber-missile carrier at the 'Olenya' airfield in Russia." According to this outlet, this information was provided by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU).

The same day, on July 27, 2024, in his daily address to Ukrainians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, "I want to especially acknowledge our warriors who strike at Russian bases and logistics in the occupied territory. The invader must feel that this is Ukrainian land. And each destroyed Russian airbase, each destroyed Russian military aircraft – whether on the ground or in the air – means saving Ukrainian lives."

Russia has not commented on the attack. The information agency Interfax reported, "Russian troops destroyed 81 Ukrainian drones in the air within 24 hours." The location was not specified in the report.

At the 2008 Bucharest Summit, NATO Allies agreed that Ukraine would join the alliance. In 2022, following Russia's invasion, Ukraine reiterated its membership request. At the 2024 Washington Summit, Allied leaders reaffirmed that they would extend an invitation to Ukraine once conditions are met and the Allies agree. Ukraine is receiving political and practical support from NATO but is not yet a member of the alliance.

The verdict

Ukrainian intelligence confirmed that a Ukrainian drone attacked the Olenya airbase. This was also indirectly confirmed by the Ukrainian president in his daily address. No NATO country was involved in the incident; Ukraine is not a member of the alliance. 

Therefore, the claim that a NATO drone attacked the airbase in northern Russia is false.