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A $100 Million Hit: Ukrainian Intelligence Sabotages Russian Fighter Jets at Home Base
Ukrainian military intelligence carried out a covert sabotage operation deep inside Russia, disabling two frontline fighter jets at a heavily guarded air base and inflicting up to $100 million in losses on Moscow’s air force.
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During the night of December 20–21, 2025, a fire broke out at a Russian military air base near Lipetsk, engulfing two high-value fighter aircraft—a Su-30 and a Su-27, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported on December 22.
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According to HUR, the operation was carried out by an agent linked to the resistance movement opposing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Both aircraft were rendered inoperable while parked inside a protected aviation hangar.
Ukrainian intelligence estimates the combined value of the destroyed fighters—identified by tail numbers “12” and “82”—at up to $100 million. Russia had used the aircraft in air operations against Ukraine.
NEW: Ukraine’s military intelligence says two Russian fighter jets (Su-30 and Su-27) were disabled in a sabotage operation at a military airbase near Lipetsk.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 22, 2025
The aircraft were set on fire inside a hangar after weeks of planning, with estimated losses of up to $100 million. pic.twitter.com/j9T05QuylU
HUR said the mission required extensive preparation and precise execution.
“Planning the special operation at the airfield near Lipetsk took two weeks. Studying patrol routes and guard shift schedules made it possible to quietly penetrate the aggressor state’s military facility, strike the Russian ‘Sukhois’ directly inside the protected aviation hangar, and then leave the airfield without obstruction,” HUR wrote.
Lipetsk is home to one of Russia’s key military aviation hubs, including facilities used for pilot training and combat aircraft operations. The incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in Russia’s rear areas, even at heavily guarded military sites.
Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine struck two Russian Su-27 fighter jets at the Belbek military airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea.
One of the jets, fully equipped with munitions and ready for combat, was destroyed in the attack. The estimated value of the two aircraft is around $70 million.
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