Ukraine says three Russian aircraft destroyed in strike on military airfield in occupied Crimea

The Ukrainian military struck at least three Russian aircraft in a January 31 attack on Russia’s Belbek military airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea, reported Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat.

Ignat said satellite images and “obituaries in Russian online groups” were the “best confirmation.” “They themselves admit and publish information about the losses. At least three aircraft were there,” Ignat said.

Crimea came under a large attack on January 31. More than six missiles were reportedly shot down over Sevastopol, according to Mikhail Razvozhaev, the governor of Russian-annexed Sevastopol. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that 20 missiles were shot down over the Black Sea and Crimea, with debris falling on a military base. It emphasized that aircraft were not damaged.

The Telegram channel Astra wrote that a missile hit a communication point at the Belbek military airfield. Later, information appeared in online groups that one Su-30 fighter jet and two Su-27 fighter planes were damaged. Images of what was said to be burning military equipment were also circulated online.

The Telegram channel Crimean Wind, citing Russian online groups, said that 10 Russian military personnel, including Lieutenant General Alexander Tatarenko, were killed as a result of the strike. Local authorities and the Russian Defense Ministry did not comment on these reports.