Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Su-27 Jets, Control Tower at Belbek Airfield in Crimea

Drone Attack Targets Belbek Airfield

Ukrainian long-range drones successfully targeted the Belbek military airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea on or around December 20, 2025. The attack, carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)'s Special Operations Center 'A' (Alpha), struck two Russian Su-27 fighter jets and the airfield's control tower.

According to the SBU, one of the targeted Su-27 aircraft was on a taxiway, fully loaded with combat munitions and prepared for a sortie, and was reportedly destroyed. The estimated combined value of the two damaged aircraft is approximately $70 million. Damage to the control tower 'may complicate the organization and control of flights at the airfield,' the SBU stated.

Strategic Importance of Belbek Airfield

The Belbek military airfield, located near Sevastopol, serves as a crucial hub for Russian forces in occupied Crimea. It is utilized for deploying fighter aircraft and positioning air defense assets. The Su-27 fighter jets operating from Belbek are typically employed for patrolling the coastal zone of Crimea and intercepting Ukrainian air and sea drones. The 38th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO of the Russian Federation is reportedly based at this airfield.

Recent Series of Strikes

This incident marks the second successful SBU attack on the Belbek airfield within a few days. An earlier drone strike on December 18, 2025, also conducted by SBU drones, targeted a range of high-value Russian military assets at the same location.

The equipment reportedly hit in the December 18 attack included:

• Two Nebo-SVU long-range radar systems, each valued between $60 million and $100 million.
• A 92N6 radar, a component of the S-400 Triumph air defense system, with an estimated value of $30 million to $60 million.
• A Pantsir-S2 air defense system, estimated to cost between $12 million and $19 million.
• A MiG-31 aircraft carrying a full combat load, valued at approximately $30 million to $50 million.

The total value of the equipment damaged in the December 18 strike was estimated to be in the 'hundreds of millions of dollars' or approximately '$200 million'.

Ukrainian Stance

The SBU has indicated that these systematic strikes on key military airfields and the destruction of Russian aircraft and air defense systems in occupied Crimea are intended to 'significantly reduce the enemy's military potential in the region.' The agency affirmed that 'This systematic work will continue.'