Ukrainian special operations forces destroyed a Russian Su-24M bomber at the Saky airbase in annexed Crimea on 16 July, striking the aircraft as it prepared for a bombing run against Ukrainian cities, the National Guard of Ukraine confirmed.
The operation was carried out by combat divers from the Omega special operations centre, who used two kamikaze drones to destroy the bomber. The first drone struck the aircraft's nose, and a second hit near its fuel tanks, causing its destruction, details of the attack show. Ukraine released video footage of the strike on the X social network.
National Guard commander Oleksandr Pivnenko said the operation demonstrated the force's advancing capability in deploying suicide drones.