Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Airbase in Crimea, Damaging Five Aircraft
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said on Sunday that its special forces unit “Alpha” carried out a drone strike on the Saky airbase in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight, damaging or destroying five military aircraft.
According to a source within the SBU, the attack resulted in the destruction of one Su-30SM fighter jet and damage to another, as well as damage to three Su-24 bombers. The operation reportedly took place during the night of August 3 to 4.
There has been no independent confirmation of the reported damage. Satellite imagery and visual evidence of the strike had not yet emerged as of Sunday afternoon. Local residents reported explosions and drone activity in the area overnight, but Russian authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the incident.
The Saky airfield, located on the western coast of Crimea, has been used by Russian forces throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, serving as a base for aircraft operating over southern Ukraine and the Black Sea.
This is not the first time the facility has been targeted. In August 2022, a series of explosions at the airbase destroyed several aircraft, though Ukrainian officials did not formally claim responsibility at the time.
Sunday’s reported strike comes amid a broader pattern of long-range attacks on military infrastructure in occupied Crimea and inside Russia. In recent months, Ukraine has increased the use of long-range drones operated by its military and intelligence services.
The Security Service has occasionally claimed responsibility for such operations when involving high-value targets or significant damage. In this case, Ukrainian officials said the strike was intended to degrade Russian air capabilities in the region.
Russia has not commented on the condition of its aircraft or the extent of any damage at the base.
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 and has since been used to support military operations across Ukraine. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it considers all Russian military assets in Crimea to be legitimate targets. The outcome of the strike is likely to become clearer once commercial satellite imagery or official confirmation becomes available.
