Ukraine strikes Russian air bases in Crimea, damaging aircraft

Ukraine launched a series of overnight strikes against Russian military targets in occupied Crimea and the city of Belgorod. In Crimea, the Security Service (SBU) reported successfully striking two Russian military air bases, Saky and Hvardiiske. These strikes are said to have damaged or destroyed at least seven aircraft, including Su-30SM, Su-30, and Su-24 fighter and bomber aircraft at Saky, and Shahed drones at Hvardiiske. Further strikes in Crimea reportedly hit a ferry terminal near the Kerch Strait and a military airfield in Dzhankoy. Fires at these locations were detected by NASA's FIRMS system, and local residents reported hearing explosions.

In addition to the Crimean operations, Ukraine reportedly conducted an overnight missile attack on Belgorod, Russia. This strike is said to have targeted key infrastructure, specifically an energy equipment plant. Local officials confirmed that the attack resulted in widespread power and water disruptions across the city.

The strikes represent a continuation of Ukrainian efforts to degrade Russian military capabilities and disrupt logistical operations in occupied territories. The targeting of air bases and aircraft aims to reduce Russia's air power, while strikes on infrastructure like the Belgorod energy plant seek to impact Russia's domestic resources and morale. The use of NASA's FIRMS system to detect fires indicates a sophisticated approach to verifying strike effectiveness.