Ukrainian Drones Strike Parked Russian Planes in Video

SBU’s Compilation of Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showcasing long-range drone attacks by its Alpha Group special forces unit on Russian military airbases amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The footage, shared on social media, depicts strikes on various Russian aircraft from the drones’ perspective, emphasizing that distance no longer protects Russian assets in rear areas. Many of these strikes were previously claimed and partially documented through still images, highlighting Ukraine’s growing capability to target high-value assets deep within Russian-held territory.

Details of Targeted Aircraft and Damage Claims

The video features attacks on 15 Russian aircraft across multiple types, including 11 fixed-wing combat jets like Su-30SM, Su-27, Su-24, and MiG-31 models; three helicopters such as Mi-8, Mi-26, and Mi-28; and one An-26 transport plane. The SBU claims the total damage exceeds $1 billion, factoring in hits on ammunition and fuel depots, though the valuation is unclear given the age of some aircraft. Footage shows varying degrees of destruction, with examples like an An-26 appearing beyond repair and an Su-24 with significant tail damage, though not all outcomes are verifiable from the videos alone.

Locations and Russian Defensive Responses

Based on open-source analysis, the strikes targeted airfields primarily in Russian-occupied Crimea, including Belbek, Kirovskoye, Saky, and Simferopol. In response to these escalating threats, Russia has begun constructing hardened aircraft shelters and enhancing physical defenses at multiple bases since the full-scale invasion began. This video is part of a broader Ukrainian campaign from last year that also hit Russian air defense systems, radars, and energy infrastructure, with claims of destroying equipment worth $4 billion, including S-300, S-350, S-400 systems, and advanced radars like Nebo-M, Podlet, and Protivnik-GE.

Broader Context and Ongoing Drone Warfare

Notable operations include Ukraine’s 2025 Operation Spiderweb, a massive drone assault on Russian strategic bomber bases, which reportedly prompted discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine’s arsenal has expanded with long-range cruise missiles and diverse drones, enabling strikes like the recent joint SBU-Navy attack on a Russian drone factory in Taganrog, destroying facilities producing Molniya loitering munitions. Meanwhile, Russia has countered with its own drone strikes, such as a BM-35 attack on a Ukrainian F-16 decoy, underscoring the escalating role of unmanned systems in targeting air assets and production sites on both sides. This compilation highlights Ukraine’s priority on such operations, with more expected in the future.