In a covert operation orchestrated by Ukraine’s military intelligence, two fighter jets were destroyed near Lipetsk in western Russia overnight on 20–21 December 2025, according to a report published by HUR on 22 December. The sabotage, carried out by a member of Ukraine’s resistance movement, disabled a Su-27 and a Su-30, with their combined value estimated at up to $100 million. Militarnyi identified the airbase as Lipetsk-2 and says those were two Su-30SMs.
HUR claims successful strike on Lipetsk airbase
Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) said it carried out a successful sabotage operation targeting a Russian military airfield near Lipetsk. In a statement released on 22 December, HUR confirmed the destruction of two expensive Russian fighter jets — a Su-27 and a Su-30 — during the night between 20 and 21 December.
The attack was reportedly conducted by "a representative of the resistance movement to the criminal Russian regime" who penetrated the military base undetected. The aircraft were ignited inside a protective hangar at the airbase and rendered inoperable, HUR said.
The agency released footage showing a point-of-view perspective from inside the cockpits, followed by scenes of the saboteur setting the jets on fire.
HUR emphasized that the mission required two weeks of detailed planning, including the study of patrol routes and guard rotation schedules. This preparation enabled the operative to strike the aircraft and leave the facility undetected.
Ukraine destroys two more Russian jets at Belbek after hitting radars and MiG-31 days earlier
Fighter jets used in Russia's war effort
The two aircraft — with tail numbers “12” and “82” — were involved in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Their combined cost may reach up to $100 million, according to HUR.
HUR credited the success of the mission to the “cold-bloodedness and professionalism” of the operative and the detailed preparation that preceded the strike.
Militarnyi identifies aircraft as Su-30SMs
According to the Militarnyi, both aircraft destroyed at the airbase were Su-30SMs, not a mix of Su-27 and Su-30 as originally claimed. Militarnyi pointed to visual evidence, including canard features visible in the footage, to identify the aircraft with red tail numbers “12” and “82” as Su-30SMs RF-95838 and RF-81740, respectively.
The jets reportedly belonged to the 14th and 31st Fighter Aviation Regiments. The 14th Regiment is based at Kursk-Vostochny airfield, while the 31st is stationed in Millerovo, Rostov Oblast. The Lipetsk-2 airbase also hosts the 4th Center for Training Flight Personnel and Field Testing of Russia’s Aerospace Forces. It houses various aircraft, including Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31.
