Neptune missiles hit Saky air base in Crimea
21 September, 2023 Satellite image of the Saky air base, Novofedorivka, Crimea. Photo credits: Planet Labs. The SSU and Navy launched the joint air strike on the Saky air base in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Hromadske reports on this with reference to its sources in the SSU. The source claims that at least 12 combat aircraft, including Su-24 frontline bombers and Su-30 fighter aircraft, were located at the base in Crimea. The Pantsir-S anti-aircraft systems were protecting the military facility.
It is reported that the air base was also used as a training base for Mojaher drone operators, which the Russians use as combat drones and to coordinate the air attacks. Ukrainian security forces used drones that overloaded Russian air defenses for the strike and then launched Neptune cruise missiles.
According to the sources, the strikes hit their targets and caused serious damage to the invaders' equipment. However, currently, there is no reliable evidence of damage to Russian military facilities.
Location of the Saky air base, Novofedorivka, Crimea. Photo credits: DeepState map.
This is not the first attack at the Saky air base.
On August 9 last year, the Ukrainian military launched a powerful strike that destroyed and damaged a large amount of equipment. It is reported that the strike triggered the detonation of an ammunition depot, which caused additional damage to nearby facilities.
After the explosions, a massive fire broke out at the airbase, which was clearly visible on satellite images. Recorded losses included:
- Five destroyed Su-24s;
- Three destroyed Su-30SM;
- One damaged Su-30SM;
- Three likely damaged Su-24s.
Russian aircraft at the Saky air base on August 10, 2022, after the explosions. Crimea, Ukraine.
Photo credits: Planet
The Ukrainian troops are increasingly using Neptune cruise missiles to strike remote Russian strategic facilities. It is noted that the Navy is behind all missile strikes. Powerful combined attacks on Russian air defense systems have already been executed twice with these missiles.
Thus, on August 28 and September 14, the crews of the S-400 air defense system were successfully attacked, which resulted in some of the vehicles being destroyed, and the systems damaged.
According to foreign media, citing sources among Ukrainian military officials, the missile design has undergone major changes to allow for attacks on ground targets.
The missile became more powerful and gained a longer range.