CRIMEA – The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a large-scale drone attack on the "Saky" military airbase, one of Russia's key air hubs in the occupied Crimean peninsula. The special operation, conducted on the night of August 4th by the SBU's elite CSO "A" unit, destroyed and damaged multiple high-value fighter aircraft, dealing a significant blow to Russia's military capabilities in the region.
The SBU's press office announced on Monday that the strike inflicted considerable losses on the Russian air force, including:
1 Su-30SM multirole fighter jet completely destroyed.
Another Su-30SM aircraft severely damaged.
3 Su-24 bombers were hit by drones.
An ammunition depot located at the base was also struck and detonated.
The "Saky" airbase is considered a critical nerve center from which Russia launches fighter jets to conduct operations over the Black Sea and carry out attacks on Ukrainian territory. Neutralizing military assets at this location is seen as a major strategic success.
Economic Damage Estimated in the Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
According to open-source data, the estimated cost of a single Su-30SM ranges from $35 million to $50 million. With one aircraft completely destroyed and several others damaged, Russia's total material losses from this attack could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, not including the value of the destroyed ammunition depot.
In its official statement, the SBU emphasized: "As a result of the special operation by the SBU's CSO 'A', an aircraft ammunition depot at the airfield was also hit. The occupiers must remember that they will never feel safe on our land!"
This attack is part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to systematically degrade Russia's military infrastructure in Crimea. In recent months, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted critical radar systems, air defenses, and logistical depots on the peninsula.
"The SBU's successful special operation at Saky is another step toward undermining the enemy's ability to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine," the SBU affirmed.
