Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) executed a daring drone strike overnight on August 4, targeting the Saky airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea, a key hub for Moscow’s air operations in the Black Sea region.

The SBU’s Special Operations Center “A” claimed responsibility for the attack, which destroyed one Su-30SM multirole fighter jet, valued at $35–50 million, damaged another, and struck three Su-24 supersonic strike bombers. An aviation weapons depot at the airbase was also hit, dealing what the SBU described as “significant damage” to Russia’s air capabilities.

“The operation in Saky is another step toward dismantling the enemy’s ability to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine,” the SBU stated. The claims, reported by The Kyiv Independent, await independent verification, as Russia has yet to issue an official response.

The Su-30SM, a modern twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter introduced in the 2010s, and the Su-24, a Soviet-era twin-engine, all-weather supersonic strike bomber, are critical to Russia’s combat missions, including airstrikes, reconnaissance, and bomber escorts. The loss of these assets further strains Russia’s air forces, already under pressure from Ukraine’s increasingly sophisticated drone and missile campaigns.

This strike follows a pattern of Ukrainian successes against Russian military infrastructure. On June 1, 2025, Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb saw drones hit four Russian airbases deep inside Russian territory, reportedly damaging 41 aircraft in a single day. In occupied Crimea, Ukraine has also targeted Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, sinking or damaging key vessels like the Caesar Kunikov landing ship, the Sergei Kotov patrol ship, the Ivanovets missile corvette, and several high-speed landing craft.

The Russia-Ukraine war continues to intensify, with Ukraine leveraging advanced drone technology and Western-supplied weapons to target Russian military assets far beyond the front lines. Recent reports indicate Ukraine has received additional shipments of F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies, bolstering its air defenses.

Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, with a barrage on August 3 targeting energy facilities in eastern Ukraine, leaving thousands without power.

On the ground, fierce fighting persists in Donetsk, where Russian forces have made incremental gains but at a high cost. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Russia suffered over 1,200 casualties in the past 24 hours, reflecting the intense attrition of Moscow’s ground forces. Ukraine’s military has also reported successes in disrupting Russian supply lines, with HIMARS strikes targeting ammunition depots near Kursk, Russia, on August 4.

Internationally, diplomatic efforts remain stalled. A proposed ceasefire summit in Geneva was postponed indefinitely after Russia rejected Ukraine’s preconditions for talks, including the withdrawal of troops from occupied territories. NATO has pledged an additional $40 billion in military aid to Ukraine through 2026, while the U.S. announced a $1.7 billion package on August 2, including precision-guided munitions and air defense systems.

The Saky airbase strike underscores Ukraine’s growing capability to project power and disrupt Russia’s military operations, even in heavily fortified areas like Crimea. As both sides dig in for a protracted conflict, Ukraine’s strategic use of drones and long-range strikes continues to reshape the battlefield, challenging Russia’s dominance in the air and at sea. (ILKHA)