The Special Forces unit of the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU), known as ‘Omega’, has successfully destroyed a Russian Su-24M bomber stationed at the Saki airbase in temporarily occupied Crimea, as reported by NGU Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko via his official Facebook page. This operation highlights the increasing capacity of Ukrainian forces to neutralize high-value Russian military assets deep behind enemy lines.
According to the military command, the operation was meticulously planned following the identification of the target. The Russian aircraft was preparing for a combat sortie intended to strike Ukrainian territory. The Omega combat divers and drone operators executed a two-stage strike: the first UAV hit the nose of the Su-24M, while the second strike targeted the fuel tanks, causing the complete destruction of the bomber.
This tactical achievement underscores a broader trend in the conflict: the diminishing safety of Russian air assets in the Crimean peninsula. By systematically targeting the aircraft responsible for offensive operations, Ukrainian forces are successfully degrading Russia’s ability to project power over the Black Sea and mainland Ukraine. The use of specialized equipment and highly trained units reflects a shift towards precision warfare, where high-value targets are neutralized with minimal risk to the operators.
For Russia, the loss of a Su-24M represents a significant blow to its operational capabilities in the region. These precision strikes serve as a clear message that the occupied territories remain within the strike range of Ukrainian defense forces. As the war continues, the ‘Omega’ unit’s professionalism remains a cornerstone of Ukraine’s strategy to dismantle the occupation infrastructure from within, ensuring that Russian military personnel in Crimea can no longer operate with impunity.