Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) reported destroying two Russian Su-27 fighters at Belbek airfield in occupied Crimea, including one fully loaded and ready for a combat sortie.

“One of the planes was on the taxiway with full ammunition and was ready for a combat sortie. It was destroyed,” the SBU said on Saturday, without specifying the date and time of the attack.

According to SBU, the operation was carried out by the SBU’s Alpha Special Operations Center using long-range drones. 

The SBU is relentless. In another deep strike on occupied Crimea, Alpha’s long-range drones destroyed two Su-27 fighters at Belbek airbase, including one armed and ready for takeoff. The hit also damaged the control tower. This follows a major strike on Dec 18 that wiped out… pic.twitter.com/Q9e8jyhw5E

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) December 20, 2025

The Su-27SM is an upgraded variant featuring enhanced avionics and the capability to deploy modern air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Russia uses these jets to patrol Crimea’s coastal zone and to intercept Ukrainian aerial and maritime drones.

The estimated value of both aircraft is around $70 million. 

In addition to the jets, the airfield’s control tower was also damaged in the operation, according to SBU.

Ukraine’s General Staff reported that a Russian RSP-6M2 radar at Kirovskoye Airfield was also hit overnight.

“SBU strikes on key military airfields, as well as the destruction of enemy aircraft and air defense systems in temporarily occupied Crimea, significantly reduce its military potential in the region. This systematic effort will continue,” SBU said. 

The operation marks the second successful SBU strike on Belbek in recent days, following a December 18 attack that destroyed high-value Russian equipment, including radars, a Pantsir-S2 air defense system, and a fully armed MiG-31.