In the dead of night in mid-December 2024, Ukrainian drones pierced Russia’s layered air defenses over occupied Crimea, striking the Belbek military airfield near Sevastopol. This precision operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) exposed vulnerabilities in one of Moscow’s most fortified positions, destroying key assets and signaling a shift in the aerial contest over the peninsula.[1][4]
SBU Alpha Targets Crimea’s Air Defense Backbone
The SBU’s Alpha Special Operations Center executed the raid, focusing on Belbek’s critical role in safeguarding Sevastopol and adjacent bases. Long-range drones, including FP-2 models with 100-kg warheads, evaded detection to hit the airfield’s core defenses. Ukrainian reports indicate the strike crippled radar and missile systems essential for monitoring and repelling incursions across the region. By neutralizing these nodes, Ukraine diminished Russia’s capacity to track incoming threats, opening potential pathways for future operations.[1][4]
Five High-Value Assets Reportedly Destroyed
The attack eliminated two Nebo-SVU long-range radars, one 92N6 radar from an S-400 system, a Pantsir-S2 short-range unit, and a MiG-31 interceptor aircraft. These components form the backbone of Russia’s multi-tiered shield against aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. Nebo-SVU systems provide early warning over vast distances, while the S-400 and Pantsir offer interception layers. The MiG-31, a high-altitude specialist capable of deploying hypersonic weapons, adds rapid response capability. This combination underscores the strike’s focus on interconnected defensive layers.[1][4]
Financial Toll Estimated Near $292 Million
Estimates place the destroyed equipment’s value at around $292 million. Each Nebo-SVU radar costs $60-100 million, the 92N6 radar $30-60 million, the Pantsir-S2 $12-19 million, and the MiG-31 $30-50 million. These figures reflect the high price of Russia’s advanced surveillance and interception hardware. Losing such assets not only inflicts material damage but also strains operational readiness, as replacements are scarce and production limited.[1][4]
Belbek’s Strategic Importance to Russia
Belbek anchors Russia’s air operations in Crimea, hosting fighters, interceptors, and defenses for Sevastopol and the Black Sea Fleet. It coordinates regional air coverage, making it a prime target in Ukraine’s campaign to erode Moscow’s peninsula stronghold. Repeated hits, including this one on the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment, indicate a deliberate effort to disrupt secure basing and force resource reallocation. Dispersing aircraft and systems has followed, complicating logistics and exposing assets during movement.[1][4]
Impact on Crimea’s Air Defense Coverage
The losses create gaps in radar coverage over western and southern Crimea, reducing early detection and interception. Without full Nebo-SVU and S-400 functionality, Pantsir units face overburdened roles. This vulnerability heightens risks for Russian positions amid Ukraine’s advancing drone tactics, which have extended range and evasion in 2024. Strikes have also rippled into civilian life, with frequent alerts, evacuations near sites, and waning tourism eroding perceptions of security. Russia downplays damage, while Ukraine shares imagery to highlight precision and morale.
The operation exemplifies asymmetric warfare, where low-cost drones challenge multimillion-dollar defenses, prompting Russia to adapt postures and question exported systems’ reliability. Ukraine’s sustained Crimea campaign—targeting airfields, radars, and logistics—aims to curb power projection. As drone capabilities evolve, Belbek’s breach foreshadows intensified pressure on Russia’s defenses, with each success depleting reserves and testing resilience in prolonged conflict.[1][4]
Sources
Defence UA (en.defence-ua.com)Article Title: “Ukrainian Drones Strike Belbek Airbase for Second Time in a Week, Damaging Two Su-27 Fighters”Published Dec 19, 2025. Details second SBU Alpha strike hitting two Su-27 jets, control tower, plus prior radars, Pantsir-S2, and MiG-31 at Belbek’s 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
Article Title: “SSU Strikes Belbek Airbase with FP-2 Drones, Taking Out Radars and MiG-31 Fighter Jet”Published Dec 17, 2025. Specifies FP-2 drones with 100-kg warheads destroyed Nebo-SVU, 92N6 (S-400), Pantsir, and MiG-31.
UkrinformArticle Title: “Explosions reported at Belbek, Saky airfields in Crimea (social media)”Published Dec 17, 2025. Confirms SBU Special Group Alpha long-range drones hit Russian air defense at Belbek on night of Dec 17-18.
Ukrainska Pravda (pravda.com.ua)Article Title: “Ukrainian drones strike Belbek airfield in Crimea, hitting equipment worth hundreds of millions – photos”Published Dec 17, 2025 (article dated Dec 18). Lists destroyed assets: two Nebo-SVU radars ($60-100M each), 92N6 radar ($30-60M), Pantsir-S2 ($12-19M), MiG-31 ($30-50M); includes SBU photos.
Mezha MediaArticle Title: “Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Air Defense at Belbek Airbase in Crimea”Describes special forces’ long-range drone strikes damaging key Russian air defense systems at Belbek.