DIU burns Su-27 interceptor in Krymsk

14 December, 2024 A Su-27P "16 Red" interceptor during a training exercise. Photo credits: RIA Novosti The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine set fire to a Russian Su-27P interceptor at the Krymsk airfield in the Krasnodar region.

A video of the arson was published on the official DIU Telegram page. The torched aircraft is a Su-27P (RF-90709) "16" red interceptor from the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment stationed at the Belbek air base. It was last spotted in January 2022 during flight exercises in the Krasnodar region.

It should be noted that the Su-27P interceptor is a specially designed version of the Su-27 multi-role fighter for the USSR Air Defense Forces and is not capable of using air-to-ground weapons. The Su-27P's exterior features include green keel tips and an optoelectronic search system mounted in the center of the nose.

Today, fighters of this type are being decommissioned by the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment, which is the only user of the Su-27P. They are being gradually replaced by newer Su-30M2s. Probably due to active attacks on the military infrastructure of Crimea and military bases with airfields, the aircraft was moved to Krymsk, where it was located until the arson attack.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense has repeatedly demonstrated the vulnerability of Russian airfields, which house military equipment, including fighter aircraft and helicopters.

A Su-27P "16 Red" interceptor at the Krymsk airfield. Photo: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine had burned down a Russian Mi-24 combat helicopter at the Klin-5 airfield in the Moscow region. The helicopter was set on fire at the Klin-5 airfield, where the 92nd Instructor and Research Helicopter Squadron is based, which is engaged in retraining and training helicopter pilots.

In addition, the airfield is the home base for Mi-24, Mi-8, and the new Mi-8AMTSh helicopters, as well as Ka-52 and Mi-28 helicopters, which are used for crew retraining and training.

Due to its importance for army aviation, the airfield is home to a significant number of the helicopters that are likely to be used in combat operations in Ukraine.