Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says its drones blew up a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet stationed at the Belbek military base in occupied Crimea. The agency released a series of photos showing strikes on the aircraft, radar installations and other key targets.
The successful SBU drone operation took place overnight into December 18, the SBU press service said.
In addition to the MiG-31, the strikes hit a Nebo-SVU complex, a 92N6 radar for the S-400, and a Pantsir-S2 air-defense system. The combined cost of the damaged assets is estimated at around $100 million.
The attack on Belbek was carried out by drones from the SBU’s Alfa Special Operations Center. The SBU listed five targets struck, with approximate valuations and roles.
According to SBU the following equipment was destroyed in the strike:
- Two Nebo-SVU complexes — long-range early-warning radar stations, each costing $60–100 million. They can detect aerial targets at distances up to 380 km (altitudes up to 20 km) and can be deployed and ready within 30 minutes.
- One 92N6 radar station — operates with the S-400 Triumf air-defense system and costs $30–60 million. Detection range is up to 600 km; it can track up to 300 targets simultaneously.
- One Pantsir-S2 surface-to-air missile system — engages targets up to 15 km in altitude and 20 km in range, and can hit objects moving at up to 1,300 m/s. Estimated price: $12–19 million.
- One MiG-31 aircraft — a fighter-interceptor capable of flying at altitudes up to 20 km at speeds up to Mach 2.8 (about 3,000 km/h). It can carry eight air-to-air missiles and one Kinzhal missile. Estimated cost: $30–50 million.
The total value of military equipment destroyed at Belbek in the December 18 strike is put at $192–329 million.
On the morning of December 18, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said air defenses had intercepted all Ukrainian drones.
Russian commanders reported 47 UAVs in the attack between 22:00 on December 17 and 06:00 on December 18 (Kyiv time). In the south, they reported nine drones: five allegedly downed over the Black Sea and four over occupied Crimea. Russia has not commented on the SBU’s account, which included five black-and-white photos of military equipment at Belbek captured just before impact.
The Belbek military airfield sits north of Sevastopol on Crimea’s western shore. It is roughly 300 km in a straight line from the runway to Ukraine’s mainland coast.
In summer–winter 2025, the SBU and Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) reported strikes on other Russian airfields in Crimea. Drones hit the “Kacha” base, destroying or damaging two An-26s, coastal radars, and a MiG-29.
The Saky airfield was also struck, including hits on a hangar housing Orion and Forpost drones, a Su-30SM, and three Su-24s.
