SSU: Drones Hit Russian Fighter Jets in Crimea

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has announced the destruction of one Russian fighter jet and damage to four additional combat aircraft at the Saky air base in Russian-occupied Crimea.

According to the agency’s press service, the details of the precision operation were carried out by the SSU’s elite Alpha Group.

In the early hours of August 4, Ukrainian drone operators struck the Saky military air base, successfully targeting a stockpile of aviation munition located on the base.

As a result of the operation, a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet was completely destroyed, while another was damaged. In addition, three Su-24 bombers were hit.

While the SSU has not released footage of the operation, local Telegram channels reported the launch of anti-aircraft missiles near the airfield around 1 a.m.

It’s worth noting that a month earlier, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine used long-range drones to inflict significant damage on Russian radar systems protecting the Saky air base, including the destruction of a Pantsir-S1 air defense system.

Disabling of key elements of Russia’s air defense network around the base allowed several drones, operated by Ukrainian forces, to penetrate and reach the runway.

One of the drones, operated by an operator of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, struck near a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet that was being prepared for takeoff by Russian pilots.

Saky Military Air Base

Saky military air base is one of the key airbases on the Crimean Peninsula for Russian aviation. Until 2014, it served as a base for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Currently, it is home to the 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

This airbase regularly hosts multirole Su-30SM fighter jets, supersonic Su-24M/MR bombers, and other aircraft that, among other roles, carry out strikes against Ukraine. In addition, at least five Russian Orion drones have been repeatedly spotted at the airfield.

Since the full-scale war with Russia began, the Russian base at Saky has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian Defense Forces. One of the most notable incidents occurred in August 2022, when a series of explosions caused by detonations in an ammunition depot destroyed at least 8 to 9 combat aircraft.

Earlier, Dnipro OSINT analyst published satellite images of the airbase showing the appearance of reinforced concrete hangars for aviation equipment, which the occupiers began constructing in response to the increase in Ukrainian drone attacks.