Half of Russia’s Crimean Air Fleet Destroyed by Ukrainian Drones, Grounding a Key Regiment.

Russian Aviation Regiment Suffers Devastating Losses

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine’s drone strikes on the Saki airbase in Crimea have crippled Russia’s 43rd Independent Naval Assault Aviation Regiment, according to aviation expert Kostyantyn Kryvolap. He reports that only three or four Su-30SM fighter jets remain operational from the squadron, with the rest previously destroyed. Among the Su-24 bombers, more than half of the fleet has been damaged. These strikes are part of a broader Ukrainian campaign to degrade Russian air power in the occupied peninsula, which has been a key staging ground for Moscow’s operations.

Targeting Strategic Infrastructure

On the night of July 3, Ukraine’s defense forces struck a railway bridge over the Krasnohvardiyskyi Canal, along with the Saki and Gvardiyske airfields. Preliminary reports indicate at least seven aircraft were destroyed or damaged. Kryvolap emphasized that if these figures are confirmed, the outcome would be extremely severe for the Russian regiment.

“Under military standards, a unit that loses more than half of its aircraft and personnel effectively becomes combat-ineffective.” - Kostyantyn Kryvolap

Consequently, the situation at Saki airbase points to major losses for the 43rd Independent Naval Assault Aviation Regiment, likely hampering its future operations.

These events highlight the strategic importance of Ukrainian strikes on occupied territories, which could shift the balance in the airspace. The loss of aircraft in the Russian military may also erode overall combat capability, as fewer available planes limit support for ground forces. This could force both sides to reassess their tactics as the conflict continues.