Ukrainian long-range drones operated by the Special Operations Center “Alpha” by the Security Service (SBU) have struck two Russian Su-27 fighter jets at the Belbek military airfield in occupied Crimea.
The Su-27 is a Soviet heavy all-weather fighter aircraft. Its maximum speed is 2,500 km/h, and its maximum flight range is 3,530 km, as per Militarnyi. It can carry six medium-range guided missiles and six R-73 short-range missiles with infrared homing seekers. It can also carry free-fall bombs weighing 500 kg or 250 kg each.One of the aircraft was on a taxiway with a full combat load and ready for a combat sortie, and it was destroyed.
Russian losses and damage to infrastructureThe estimated value of the two damaged aircraft is approximately $70 million.
Additionally, a strike on the air traffic control tower has been confirmed, which significantly complicates the organization and control of flights at the airfield.
Repeat attack: systematic destruction of air defense and aviationThis marks the second successful SBU attack on the Belbek airfield in recent days.
On 18 December, drones of the Security Service of Ukraine struck Russian equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars, including:
- two “Nebo-SVU” radar systems;
- a 92N6 radar from the S-400 “Triumf” air defense system;
- a Pantsir-S2 air defense system;
- a MiG-31 aircraft with a full combat load.
Systematic SBU strikes on key military airfields, as well as the destruction of Russian aviation and air defense systems in Crimea, are significantly reducing Russia’s combat capabilities in the region. The SBU emphasizes that this work will continue.
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