Ukrainian Drone Hits Fully Armed MiG-31 Fighter Jet

Ukrainian drones carried out strikes on the Belbek military airfield in Crimea, hitting a MiG-31 interceptor fighter jet and components of air defense systems.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) reported that the successful operation was conducted on December 18 by Alpha Special Operations Center forces.

Local residents recorded the strikes, sharing videos on social media showing explosions and attempts by Russian troops to shoot down the drones.

In particular, damage was recorded to two Nebo-SVU long-range radar detection systems, a 92N6 radar station that is part of the S-400 Triumf air defense system, and a Pantsir-S2 surface-to-air missile system.

A MiG-31 aircraft carrying a full combat load that was stationed at the airfield was also hit by a drone strike. The MiG-31 is designed to intercept and destroy aerial targets at medium and high altitudes.

The destruction and damage of these assets significantly weaken the enemy’s air defense shield and limit its ability to control the airspace.

The SSU stressed that such strikes weaken Russia’s military capabilities in Crimea and reduce its capacity to carry out further attacks.