Ukrainian special forces known as the “Ghosts” carried out a massive attack on Russia’s Hvardisk Air Base near Sinferopol, occupied Crimea, destroying two Mi-8 helicopters and also destroying the Russian tugboats of the BUK-2190 project.
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According to a spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the attack took place on the morning of August 30th, where reconnaissance and attack drones managed to break through the defenses of the Russian base. One drone hit the rear of the Mi-8 helicopter, while another damaged the same model.
Tugboats and massive fires
In addition to the helicopter, the third drone was directed at a vessel that was identified as a tugboat, increasing the scope of the attack. This shock caused a large-scale fire at the base, which was confirmed on satellite images. The images also showed at least one Mi-8 being destroyed, and another aircraft being misidentified as a Mi-24.
At the time of the attack, the base had three more Mi-8s, three Mi-24 attack helicopters, an An-26 transport plane and a Tu-134UBL.
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Radar destruction paved the way
Prior to the operation on Hvardiisk, the 91N6 Radar Bureau, belonging to the Russian S-400 Air Defence System, was destroyed in Crimea, paving the way for the intensive use of long-range drones against strategic targets.
Throughout 2025, Ghosts has launched systematic operations against Russian radar and air defense systems on the peninsula, enabling new precision attacks. In the last month alone, a joint operation between the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency and the Security Agency (SBU) has damaged up to six Russian fighter jets at Saki Airfield.
Source and Images: Militarnyi | Telegram @DIUkraine. This content was created with the cooperation of AI and has been reviewed by the editorial team.
