Ukrainian strike cripples key Russian assets in Crimea

"This is one of the operational airports used by Russia to control the airspace, particularly the Black Sea, and to carry out airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. The consequences of the attack are still being determined," the General Staff of Ukraine reported shortly after the attack in a statement on Facebook.

The Ukrainians struck in the morning on July 26, using ATACMS ballistic missiles. Depending on the variant, they are capable of hitting targets up to approximately 100 miles or even approximately 190 miles away. Information quickly emerged that two Russian Su-30SM aircraft were hit. Based on satellite images, analysts concluded that Russian losses are greater and also include radar systems.

Comparing images of the Saki airport before and after the attack allowed analysts to estimate that the Ukrainians also hit the Nebo-M radar system. As noted on the defenseromania portal, this is a significant blow for the invaders, as the estimated cost of the Nebo-M is up to $100 million.

This is an advanced radar system used to monitor airspace traffic. It has a range of 370 miles (in all-around mode) and can exchange collected data with Russian anti-aircraft missile systems, including the Pantsir-S1, S-300, and S-400 used in Ukraine.

Su-30SM aircraft, the damage to which was confirmed much earlier, are multi-role fighter jets. They are among the newest aircraft used by the Russian army. They are also valuable equipment, with the cost of producing one unit exceeding $40 million.

These are twin-engine, single-seat machines capable of reaching over 1,240 miles per hour and operating at an altitude of over 55,700 feet. They come standard with a 30 mm GSz-30-1 aircraft cannon but can also carry several tons of suspended armaments.

As Norbert Garbarek, a journalist from Wirtualna Polska, explained, these Su-30SM could be the main opponents of Western F-16 fighters, which Ukraine will start receiving as early as this summer.