Drones from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) struck Belbek airbase in occupied Crimea overnight on 18 December 2025, according to the spy agency. The raid hit Russian air defense and military hardware, including a MiG-31 with full combat load. Belbek airbase is located just north of Sevastopol city in occupied Crimea about 240 km from the frontline.
SBU confirms destruction of MiG-31 and high-value air defense systems
The SBU says last night, the long-range drones of its Alpha Center "successfully struck components of Russian air defense at the Belbek military airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea."
The agency published thermal drone photos showing the radar systems, a Pantsir, and a MiG-31 in view — a format typically recorded seconds before kamikaze impact.
The SBU listed the destroyed Russian equipment:
- Two Nebo-SVU long-range radar systems, with each unit valued at $60–100 million
- Strike drone footage and reference image of a Russian Nebo-SVU long-range radar system shortly before destruction at Belbek airbase. 18 December 2025. Photo: Security Service of Ukraine
- Strike drone footage and reference image of a Russian Nebo-SVU long-range radar system shortly before destruction at Belbek airbase. 18 December 2025. Photo: Security Service of Ukraine
- One 92N6 radar, part of the S-400 Triumph system, priced at $30 million domestically or $60 million for export
- Strike drone footage and reference image of a Russian 92N6 radar, a component of the S-400 Triumph system, moments before it was hit. 18 December 2025. Photo: Security Service of Ukraine
- One Pantsir-S2 air defense system, estimated at $12–19 million
- Strike drone footage and reference image of a Russian Pantsir-S2 air defense system targeted at Belbek airbase. 18 December 2025. Photo: Security Service of Ukraine
- One MiG-31 jet with full combat load, worth $30–50 million, depending on configuration
“SBU continues effective work on destroying air defense systems in Crimea which protect key military and logistics sites of the occupiers,” the statement read. “Eliminating elements of this echeloned system significantly weakens the defense and military capabilities of the enemy in the Crimean direction.”
