Ukraine's Omega Special Forces Say Drone Strike Hit Russian Su-24 Bomber in Occupied Crimea
Ukrainian officials said the $10,000 drone strike was a three-week operation that tested an upgraded Hornet unmanned system.
- On Thursday, July 16, 2026, National Guard commander Oleksandr Pivnenko announced that Ukrainian special operations forces destroyed a Russian Su-24M bomber at the Saky military airfield in occupied Crimea.
- The three-week operation was coordinated with Ukraine's Air Force and Security Service by the Omega Special Purpose Center, according to Vitalii Kravchuk, commander of the unit's diving detachment.
- Two precision drone hits from an upgraded Hornet unmanned system, costing approximately $10,000 to $11,000, struck the nose and fuel tanks of the Su-24M, destroying it.
- Despite mobile fire teams and electronic warfare systems protecting the airfield, carefully selected flight routes and surprise allowed the Hornet to reach its target, Kravchuk noted.
- The strike may force Russia to move combat aircraft increasingly farther from occupied Crimea, as Pivnenko stated there will be 'no safe place for them there.
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23 Articles
Ukrainian combat divers destroyed Russian bomber at Crimea’s Saky airbase as it prepared to strike
Ukrainian special forces from the National Guard's "Omega" Center destroyed a Russian Su-24M frontline bomber in occupied Crimea, the National Guard announced on 17 July. The unit said the aircraft was preparing for a combat mission against Ukrainian territory when its drones struck. The first drone hit the Su-24M's nose section, the second struck the fuel tanks, destroying the aircraft, according to the Omega unit's account. There was no indepe…
Several Ukrainian attacks put pressure on Russia. According to the military, several bombers were attacked and Russian ships were targeted in the Black Sea.
A Russian Su-24M bomber has been attacked at the Saky Air Force Base in Crimea. Ukraine reports a hit shortly before launch.
Ukraine Tests Upgraded Hornet Drone by Destroying Russian Su-24M Deep in Crimea
Ukrainian special operations forces destroyed a Russian Su-24M bomber at the Saky military airfield in occupied Crimea just as the aircraft was preparing for another combat mission against Ukraine. Oleksandr Pivnenko, commander of Ukraine’s National Guard, announced the strike on July 16 and released footage showing the operation by the Omega Special Purpose Center. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.…
NGU fighters destroyed a Russian Su-24M at the Saki military airfield in the occupied CrimeaCombat divers of the Omega Center destroyed a Russian Su-24M at the Saki airfield in the occupied Crimea. Strike drones hit the the nose and fuel tanks of the aircraft.
On Thursday, 16 July, the unit of the Ukrainian special forces Omega claimed a strike against a Russian bomber stationed at the Saky air base in occupied Crimea.
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