Ukraine's Military Intelligence Reports Destruction of Russian MiG-29 at Belbek Airfield, Claims Aircraft Was Ukraine's Pre-2014 Jet

Kyiv — Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) says its Unmanned Systems Department carried out a drone strike on Belbek Airfield near Sevastopol in occupied Crimea during the night of June 25–26, 2026. According to the agency, the operation destroyed a MiG-29 fighter jet and a ground support vehicle that was servicing the aircraft at the time.

The GUR released video footage of the strike and estimated the damage at tens of millions of dollars. The reported losses have not been independently verified, and Russia has not publicly commented on the incident.

Aircraft Reportedly Originated From Ukraine's Pre-2014 Fleet

While the GUR identified the destroyed aircraft as a Russian MiG-29, information from historical records indicates the fighter was originally part of the Ukrainian Air Force before Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The aircraft was identified as a MiG-29 Izdeliye 9-13 that had served with Ukraine's 204th Tactical Aviation Brigade, which was based in Crimea before the peninsula came under Russian control.

According to available information, the fighter was among several aircraft seized by Russian forces after the annexation. The aircraft, along with three L-39 trainer aircraft, was never returned to Ukraine.

Reports indicate the MiG-29 had remained grounded for approximately 12 years. At the time it was seized in 2014, the aircraft had reportedly been on Quick Reaction Alert duty and was still armed with two R-27ER1 air-to-air missiles.

Some reports have suggested that many of the Ukrainian drone operators involved in today's Unmanned Systems Forces were children when Crimea was annexed in 2014 and therefore may not have known the aircraft had originally belonged to Ukraine's own air force.

Belbek Remains a Key Russian Air Base

Belbek Airfield is one of Russia's main military aviation bases in Crimea. It is home to the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment, which primarily operates Su-27SM and Su-27SM3 fighter aircraft. Since late 2023, the base has also hosted MiG-31 interceptor aircraft.

Located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Ukraine's mainland coast, the airfield has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian long-range drone and missile strikes despite Russian efforts to strengthen its defenses through hardened aircraft shelters and camouflage.

The MiG-29, known by NATO as the Fulcrum, is a Soviet-designed twin-engine fighter that remains in Russian service for air defense and patrol missions.

Part of a Continuing Campaign Against Military Targets in Crimea

The latest strike is part of Ukraine's continuing campaign targeting Russian military infrastructure across occupied Crimea.

Previous reported attacks on Belbek include:

• December 17–18, 2025: Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said it destroyed a weapons-loaded MiG-31, two Nebo-SVU early-warning radars, a 92N6 radar, and a Pantsir-S2 air defense system. Ukraine estimated the damage at around $300 million, although the figures were not independently verified.

• December 19–20, 2025: The SBU reported another strike on Belbek that damaged two Su-27 fighters and destroyed one aircraft that was fully armed while positioned on a taxiway before a planned combat sortie.

Other Operations Across Crimea

Belbek is one of several military sites targeted by Ukrainian forces in Crimea.

In December 2025, the GUR reported striking a MiG-29 at Kacha Airfield together with an Irtysh radar complex near Simferopol. However, independent aviation analysts questioned that claim, noting that Kacha has historically operated helicopters and amphibious aircraft rather than MiG-29 fighters. Some analysts suggested the aircraft may have been a decoy placed to attract attacks, although this has not been confirmed.

Unlike Kacha, Belbek has long served as an operational fighter base, although the exact extent of damage from the June 2026 strike has not been independently verified.

Continued Pressure on Russian Military Infrastructure

Ukraine has continued targeting military facilities across Crimea throughout 2026.

Satellite imagery released in early July showed damage to six of seven hardened aircraft shelters at Saky Airfield. Ukrainian strikes have also targeted bridges linking Crimea with mainland Russia and fuel infrastructure, contributing to reported fuel supply disruptions on the peninsula.

Russian forces have responded by conducting military exercises that simulated a possible Ukrainian amphibious landing in Crimea. However, many military analysts consider a large-scale amphibious assault unlikely because of the significant personnel, equipment, and logistical support such an operation would require.

The latest operation at Belbek reflects Ukraine's continuing effort to target aircraft, radar systems, air defense assets, and support infrastructure at Russian military bases in Crimea. Ukrainian officials say these operations are intended to reduce Russia's ability to conduct air operations from the peninsula, while independent verification of specific battlefield damage remains limited.

Source: defence-blog / pravda

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