A Rusian Air Force Su-27P RF-92406 / 16 red, was damaged after it was set on fire by a saboteur at the Krymsk Air Base, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.
In a significant blow to Russian military capabilities, Ukrainian intelligence agents carried out a successful operation in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, targeting military assets vital to the Kremlin’s ongoing war efforts in Ukraine. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine, the operation resulted in the destruction of a Russian Su-30 fighter jet and the disabling of three railway locomotives.
The primary attack occurred at the Krymsk Air Base, located in Krasnodar Krai, approximately 220 kilometers from Ukraine’s border. The airfield, which houses the 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment under the 1st Composite Aviation Division of the 4th Air and Air Defense Forces Army, was the site of a dramatic incident on December 14.
The HUR shared a video of the aftermath, showing the heavily damaged aircraft at the airfield. The Su-30, a two-seat multirole fighter [NATO designation: Flanker-C], plays a critical role in Russian air superiority and ground-strike operations and has been heavily utilized in Russia’s so-called “special military operation” (SVO) in Ukraine.
The sabotage campaign also extended to civilian infrastructure used for military purposes. On December 13, a fire broke out in Krasnodar, rendering three railway locomotives inoperable. These locomotives had been instrumental in the logistical support of Russia’s war efforts. “The aggressor used these military facilities in its criminal war against Ukraine,” the HUR stated.
This latest operation follows a series of attacks in Krasnodar Krai, highlighting the region’s increasing vulnerability. On November 15, a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes targeted the Krymsk military airfield and surrounding areas. The attack caused damage to multiple locations, including residential properties in the nearby village of Poltavskaya, where debris from downed drones damaged roofs and shattered windows. Russian authorities reported no injuries from the November incident.
On 14 December 2024, a Rusian Air Force Su-27SM, 16 red, was damaged after it was set on fire by a saboteur at the Krymsk Air Base, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. pic.twitter.com/C3F9pcMByI
— The Military Watch (@MarcinRogowsk14) December 14, 2024
The Krymsk Air Base is a strategic hub for the Russian Air Force. It hosts Su-27SM3 air superiority fighters [NATO designation: Flanker] and Su-30M2 fighters, which can perform both air and ground missions. The regiment’s operations are a key component of Russia’s aerial capabilities in the region. Notably, the Su-27SM fighter jet with the tail number “16 Red” was reportedly damaged during the December 14 attack, further compounding Russian losses.
The destruction of the Su-30 fighter jet in Krymsk adds to a growing list of setbacks for Russian military aviation. According to the investigative organization InformNapalm, Russia’s fleet of Su-30SM fighters has been reduced to approximately 130 aircraft, with at least 15 confirmed losses during the ongoing war. Additionally, the Ukrainian military has reportedly destroyed at least 33 Russian Su-34 fighter jets between February 2022 and September 2024, as documented by the Institute for the Study of War in collaboration with the Ukrainian human rights organization Truth Hounds.
Ukraine’s operations in Krasnodar Krai demonstrate a tactical shift toward targeting Russian assets deep within their territory. By striking critical military infrastructure and logistical networks, Ukraine continues to challenge Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort. These operations also showcase the effectiveness of Ukraine’s intelligence and special operations units, further intensifying pressure on the Kremlin as the conflict grinds on.
