The Alpha special unit of the Security Service of Ukraine struck the Belbek airbase in temporarily occupied Crimea for the second time in three days. It is reported that this time long-range drone strikes destroyed two Su-27 fighter jets.
One of them was hit right on the taxiway. Fully armed, it was supposed to carry out a combat sortie, but was destroyed. Along with the fighter jets, the control tower was also targeted by drones. According to the SSU, this could complicate flight operations and control at the airbase.
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A previous strike on Belbek airbase occurred on the night of December 18. The FP-2 drones were likely used for the strike. As a result, a number of valuable targets were destroyed.
The targets included several radars, the Pantsir surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery system, as well as a MiG-31 interceptor.
The 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment is based at the Belbek airbase. In December 2022, it was reported that it was armed with Su-27SM/SM3 fighters. It is known that russians have about fifty Su-27SMs and more than 20 Su-27SM3s.
In the fall of 2023, it became known that russia had secretly deployed MiG-31s in Belbek.
It should be noted that since 2024, russians have taken measures to strengthen the protection of Belbek airfield, including building shelters and camouflaging aircraft.
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