Satellite images confirm Ukrainian drones destroyed Russian Be‑12 and An‑26 aircraft in occupied Crimea

New imagery proves the effectiveness of HUR strikes on airfields near Kacha and Simferopol days ago.
Fragments of satellite images showing damage at the Kacha air base in occupied Crimea. Images via X/avivector.
Satellite images confirm Ukrainian drones destroyed Russian Be‑12 and An‑26 aircraft in occupied Crimea

Satellite imagery, published by defense analyst AviVector, confirm the destruction of Russian military aircraft at the military airbase Kacha in Sevastopol, occupied Crimea, following the recent Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine's HUR military intelligence agency reported its drone strikes on 25 ans 22 September.

The strikes were part of Ukraine’s ongoing campaign to degrade Russian military capabilities in occupied Crimea amid the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion. These operations exploited weakened Russian air defenses, which had been systematically targeted in previous Ukrainian attacks on radar installations and air defense systems across the peninsula.

Satellite images confirm airstrike aftermath in Crimea

AviVector published satellite images taken on 25 September 2025 showing the aftermath of recent Ukrainian drone attacks.

The airbase had been hosting five Be‑12 ("Seagull", NATO: Mail) amphibious aircraft, one An‑26 (NATO: Curl) transport plane, three MiG‑29K (NATO: Fulcrum‑D) fighters, four Mi‑8 (NATO: Hip) helicopters, and four Ka‑27/29 (NATO: Helix) helicopters.

According to AviVector’s analysis, the An‑26 with tail number RF‑46878 (“Blue 30”) was completely destroyed. Only scorch marks remain at its parking area, and debris has already been removed. 

Satellite image showing damage at Kacha air base on 25 September 2029 following Ukrainian drone attacks. Images via X/avivector.
Satellite image showing damage at Kacha air base on 25 September 2029 following Ukrainian drone attacks. Images via X/avivector.

The second An‑26 reported by HUR is no longer visible on satellite imagery and could not be located.

During the same attack on 25 September, HUR's drones also targeted two Russian radars.

Be‑12 amphibious planes damaged or removed

Images show a crater from a strike near one of the Be‑12s, which appears undamaged.

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Satellite image showing damage at Kacha air base on 25 September 2029 following Ukrainian drone attacks. Images via X/avivector.

Another Be‑12, “Yellow 08,” standing in the field, was damaged, missing a propeller, and later removed from the base. A third Be‑12 was also taken away after the attack.

satellite images confirm ukrainian drones destroyed russian be‑12 an‑26 aircraft occupied crimea damage kacha air base 25 2029 following drone attacks x/avivector be-12 disappeared sevastopol imagery published defense analyst avivector
Satellite image showing damage at Kacha air base on 25 September 2029 following Ukrainian drone attacks. Images via X/avivector.

The Mi‑8AMTSh helicopter at Kacha was also targeted during the attack on Be-12s on 22 September, but AviVector notes that no visible damage can be seen in the satellite photos. The helicopter either left the base or was relocated after the strike.

satellite images confirm ukrainian drones destroyed russian be‑12 an‑26 aircraft occupied crimea damage kacha air base 25 2029 following drone attacks x/avivector mi ka helicopters sevastopol imagery published defense analyst
Satellite image showing damage at Kacha air base on 25 September 2029 following Ukrainian drone attacks. Images via X/avivector.
In an earlier Ukrainian strike on Simferopol Airport in central Crimea on 30 August, one Russian Mi‑8 helicopter was destroyed and another damaged on the outskirts of the city. 

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