Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said Monday that its special operations forces carried out a drone strike on Russia’s Saky military airfield in occupied Crimea.
In a statement, the SBU said the overnight attack, conducted by its Special Operations Center “A,” destroyed one Su-30SM fighter jet, damaged another, and struck three Su-24 bombers. “The enemy suffered significant losses, as a single Su-30SM aircraft can cost between $35 and $50 million on average,” the agency noted.
The strike also hit an aviation munitions depot located within the airfield, according to SBU.
The SBU described the strike as part of its broader strategy to erode Russia’s military capabilities in occupied territory. “The successful SBU operation in Saky is another step toward weakening the enemy’s ability to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine. The occupiers must remember: they will never feel safe on our land!”
Saky airbase, located near Novofedorivka in western Crimea, is home to Russia’s 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment and houses Su-30SM fighters, Su-24 bombers, and Orion drones. Prior to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, the airbase was operated by the Ukrainian military.
The base has been targeted repeatedly since 2022. In August of that year, blasts at an ammunition depot destroyed at least eight Russian combat aircraft.
The strike on the Saky airfield follows a major Ukrainian drone operation in June that targeted four Russian airbases.
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, the operation caused an estimated $7 billion in damage and disabled 34% of Russia’s cruise missile carrier fleet. More than 40 aircraft were damaged in the attack, including Tu-95 “Bear” nuclear bombers, Tu-22M3 “Backfire” bombers, and A-50 “Mainstay” airborne early warning aircraft.
