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Ukrainian Drone Strike Destroys An-72P Aircraft and $5M Spy Drones in Crimea
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian forces conducted a coordinated drone strike on a Russian military airfield in occupied Crimea overnight on April 2, reportedly damaging multiple high-value assets, including a transport aircraft and reconnaissance drones.
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According to statements by the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, the operation was carried out by the 1st Separate Center of Unmanned Systems in coordination with the 9th Department of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). The targets were located at the Kirovske airfield in eastern Crimea.
“Detected and destroyed a transport aircraft An-72P, as well as a two-coordinate circular surveillance radar P-37,” Brovdi stated.
Video of FP-2 strikes by Ukraine’s GUR and Unmanned Systems Forces on hangars with Orion / Inokhodets UCAVs, An-72, and P-37 radar in Crimea. https://t.co/TOsNR7SZ42 pic.twitter.com/6NtagYqgYs
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) April 2, 2026
The strike reportedly also targeted a storage site for Russian Orion reconnaissance drones. Ukrainian officials said at least four Orion UAVs were destroyed.
These drones are capable of long-endurance missions—remaining airborne for up to 24 hours—and can carry guided munitions, with an estimated unit cost exceeding $5 million.
According to Ukrainian military statements cited by local media, the attack involved FP-2 drones developed by the Ukrainian company Fire Point.
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These drones are equipped with warheads weighing between 60 and 100 kilograms and were used in a series of precision strikes across the airfield. Video footage released by Ukrainian sources suggests multiple impacts on both infrastructure and equipment.
The An-72P aircraft targeted in the strike is a maritime patrol platform operated by Russian security services for coastal surveillance. In addition to reconnaissance roles, it can transport personnel and deploy airborne units.
The P-37 radar system, also reportedly destroyed, is a Soviet-designed early warning radar used to detect aerial targets and support air defense operations.
The Kirovske airfield is located near the settlement of Krasnoselske in Crimea, approximately 17 kilometers from Feodosia and within operational range of both land- and sea-based drone approaches.
Ukrainian analysts estimate that the strike distance could range from roughly 250 kilometers over land to around 500 kilometers if routed over the Black Sea.
Within the same week, Russia lost an An-26 military transport aircraft over occupied Crimea, with 29 people reported killed after the plane disappeared during a routine flight and crashed, according to Russian state media. The incident came within 24 hours of the reported loss of a Su-34 fighter jet in the same region.
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-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")