Ukraine has unleashed hell on the occupiers. During the night of 4 August, Ukrainian drones launched a powerful strike on a Russian-occupied airbase in Crimea. One of Russia’s most advanced tactical fighter jets was completely destroyed, and four more aircraft were hit, the Security Service (SBU) reports. 

What did the SBU destroy?

The target of the operation was one of Russia’s main airbases in temporarily occupied Crimea, the Saky military airfield, from which enemy planes take off to strike southern Ukraine and ships in the Black Sea. The base hosts strategic bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. The airfield lies nearly 70-80 kilometers from Ukraine-controlled territory. 

The SBU’s “Alpha” Special Center used drones to deliver precision strikes on Russian equipment. As a result of the special operation:

• One Su-30SM fighter jet was completely destroyed
• One more Su-30SM was damaged
• Three Su-24 strike aircraft were hit

A warehouse containing aviation munitions was incinerated. 

Russian losses: Tens of millions of dollars go up in smoke in Crimea

The Russians lost at least one Su-30SM, valued at $50 million. These fighters can carry up to 8 tons of bombs and missiles and have a combat radius of up to 1,500 km.

Several Su-24 aircraft were also damaged. These are used for precision strikes on ground targets, with a combat radius of around 560 km. Russia’s losses may reach tens of millions of dollars.

“Occupiers will never feel safe”

The Security Service of Ukraine confirmed the strike, emphasizing that the operation is a key part of the strategy to destroy enemy logistics and combat capabilities in Crimea.

“Occupiers must remember they will never feel safe on our land!” the SBU stated.

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The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence reports that Su-27UB combat training jet caught fire overnight on 26 July in Russia. The incident happened at the Armavir airfield in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, which lies more than 850 km from the Ukrainian border.

The training range on fire

The aircraft was a Su-27UB, a twin-seat training version of the Soviet multirole Su-27 fighter. It is intended for training cadets while retaining the combat capabilities of the base aircraft: speeds of up to 2,500 km/h.

The fighter jet can to carry both unguided FAB-250/500 bombs and guided bombs such as the KAB-500-OD and KAB-1500KR. On the front lines, such aircraft are also used for patrols, air cover, and precision strikes on Ukraine.

Industry geared for war

Moscow plans to increase the production of guided aerial bombs by 50%, to 75,000 units in 2025, by upgrading conventional munitions with planning and correction modules. The installation of the modules turns them into high-precision weapons with extended strike range.

Currently, Ukraine does not have a solution against such missiles. The most effective remains the destruction of fighter jects at airfields. 

Sabotage or precision strike?

Following the explosion, local residents reported a loss of communication, which may indicate attempts to conceal the scale of the incident. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reminds: “Every crime against the Ukrainian people will be properly avenged.”