Drone strikes in Crimea: SBU destroyed a total of 15 Russian military aircraft in 2025

In 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) destroyed a total of 15 military aircraft belonging to the Russian armed forces in Crimea with drone strikes. This is documented by drone videos that have now been published.

The footage shows approaches by day and by night, carried out with an unknown type of drone. The agility and speed conveyed by the images point to quadcopters.

5 аеродромів, мінус 15 авіабортів та $1 млрд: далекобійна «математика» від «Альфи» СБУ
На унікальних кадрах підтверджені ураження:
▪️ Су-30СМ, Су-34, Су-27, Су-24, МіГ-31
▪️ Мі-28, Мі-26, Мі-8
▪️ Ан-26
Разом із технікою на аеродромах згоріли склади з боєприпасами та пальним. pic.twitter.com/lr3cJdRgUO— СБ України (@ServiceSsu) January 28, 2026

Which targets the drone strikes hit

The list of hits includes the combat aircraft types MiG-31, Su-34, Su-30SM, Su-27 and Su-24, as well as Mi-26 and Mi-8 transport helicopters and an Mi-28 attack helicopter. An-26 transport aircraft were also hit.

Quadcopters do not reach far beyond the front – which suggests the use of carrier systems. Exactly what was used is still unclear. Because many military airfields in Crimea are located directly on the coast, however, Sea Baby unmanned surface vessels (USV) were very likely involved in at least some of the missions.

According to their own statements, the Ukrainian armed forces have such systems in their inventory and have repeatedly made their use public.