Kyiv, December 29 - In a bold escalation of deep-strike operations amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian special forces executed coordinated attacks that resulted in the destruction of four advanced Russian fighter jets. The strikes targeted key airbases, demonstrating Kyiv's growing capability to penetrate Russian defenses and inflict significant losses on Moscow's air power. These Ukrainian sabotage operations and drone assaults highlight the vulnerability of Russian military aviation assets, even far from the frontline, amid intensifying aerial confrontations in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The primary sabotage mission, conducted by Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), focused on the Lipetsk airbase in western Russia. After weeks of meticulous reconnaissance, tracking guard patrols, and shift changes, an operative infiltrated the heavily fortified facility. Inside a protected hangar, the agent set fire to two multimillion-dollar Su-30 Flanker multirole fighters, valued collectively at up to $100 million. Footage captured during the operation showed flames engulfing the aircraft engines, rendering them inoperable. This daring Ukrainian sabotage deep inside Russian territory underscores the effectiveness of covert tactics in disrupting Russia's fighter jet fleet.
Simultaneously, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) launched a precision drone strike on the Belbek airbase in occupied Crimea. Long-range suicide drones targeted two Su-27 Flanker jets on the tarmac, destroying both aircraft in explosive impacts. These Su-27s, renowned for their air superiority role in Russian aerospace forces, represented a further blow to Moscow's combat aviation capabilities. The combined operations over a single weekend eliminated four high-value Russian fighter jets, estimated at $170 million in total losses, marking a notable success in Ukraine's campaign to counter Russian air dominance.
These strikes come as Ukraine intensifies efforts to degrade Russia's ability to conduct airstrikes and maintain air superiority in the protracted war. By targeting parked aircraft at rear bases, Ukrainian forces exploit gaps in Russian perimeter security and air defense, forcing Moscow to disperse its remaining fleet and divert resources to protection. Such Ukrainian deep strikes on Russian fighter jets not only reduce immediate threats but also erode long-term operational readiness in the Russia-Ukraine war.