Ukraine downs Russian Su-30 aircraft above Black Sea, military intelligence claims.

Editor's note: This story is being updated. Ukrainian soldiers shot down a Russian Su-30SM aircraft during an operation in the Black Sea, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on Sept.

12. The Su-30SM was reportedly destroyed by a man-portable air defense system and belonged to the 43rd Separate Naval Aviation Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which is based at the Saki air base in occupied Crimea.

The fighter jet has an estimated price tag of around £50 million. The Russian military lost contact with the board in the morning of Sept.

11, according to HUR. Soon after, Russia launched search and rescue operations, using an An-26 aircraft, as well as Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters, the agency said.

"The invaders briefed the command about a distinctive stain of aviation fuel in the sea, 70 kilometers northwest of Cape Tarkhankut, and soon saw the wreckage of the destroyed Su-30SM," HUR said. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these reports. The agency did not disclose details of the operation in the Black Sea.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Sept.

11 that Moscow had allegedly thwarted Ukraine's attempt to regain control of the Krym-2 drilling rig in the Black Sea. There is no evidence that the two events are connected.

Ukraine reportedly downs Russian Orlan drone at 'record height' of 3.6 km Soldiers of Ukraine's 3rd Tank Brigade shot down a Russian Orlan reconnaissance drone at a record altitude of 3,620 meters, the Ukrainian military said on Sept.

9.