The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced this Sunday (August 4) the destruction of a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet and damage to four other combat aircraft during a drone strike on the Saki airbaselocated in Russian-occupied Crimea.
According to the official statement released by the SBU’s press office, the operation was carried out by operators of the Special Operations Center “A” on the night of August 4. Ukrainian forces used drones to target an aviation weapons depot within the base.
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As a result of the strike, one Su-30SM was completely destroyed and another of the same type was damaged. Three Su-24 bombers were also hit.
Although the SBU has not released footage of the operation, local Telegram channels reported heavy Russian anti-aircraft activity around 1 a.m., with missiles being fired near the military facility.
This attack follows a similar long-range drone operation conducted a month earlier by the Ukrainian Defense Intelligencewhich caused significant damage to Russian radar stations protecting the Saki base and led to the destruction of a Pantsir-S1 air defense system.
The elimination of these radar systems opened a path for Ukrainian drone operators to guide the UAVs directly onto the airstrip. One of the drones struck a Su-30SM that was being prepared for takeoff by Russian ground crews, increasing the strategic impact of the mission.
The operation highlights Ukraine’s growing ability to strike strategic targets in occupied territories and disrupt Russian air operations in the Black Sea region.
Source and images: ssu.gov.ua | Flickr. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
