Ukraine's SBU claims drone strike on Russian military airfield in occupied Crimea

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said it had carried out a drone strike on the Saki military airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea, targeting infrastructure used to house Russian fighter aircraft.

In a statement, the SBU said the operation was conducted as part of a broader 40-day campaign ordered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at striking Russian military targets, Caliber.Az reports.

According to the agency, Ukrainian drones hit hangars at the airfield five times. The SBU said the hangars were used to shelter fighter jets.

The agency added that preliminary information indicated Su-30 and Su-30SM fighter aircraft were present in two of the hangars at the time of the strike. It said a fire broke out in the hangar housing the Su-30SM aircraft after the attack, which it described as evidence that the target had been successfully hit.

The SBU estimated the value of each aircraft at between $30 million and $50 million, depending on its configuration.

By Sabina Mammadli