Ukraine’s SBU Destroys 3 Russian Copters in Crimea

During the night of June 27-28, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) attacked the Kirovske military airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea with drones, the SBU reported on its Telegram channel.

As a result of the attack, three Russian helicopters – Mi-8, Mi-26 and Mi-28 – as well as a Pantsir-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun complex were destroyed.

Fire damage was inflicted on the manned aircraft, air defense systems, ammunition storage depots, and reconnaissance and strike UAVs, the message says.

Early in the morning hours, secondary detonations were reported at the airfield.

“The SBU is systematically working to reduce the Russian Federation’s capabilities to carry out air and bombing strikes on the territory of Ukraine,” the SBU wrote. “The invaders should realize that their expensive military equipment and ammunition are not protected anywhere: neither on the line of combat contact, nor in temporarily captured territories, nor deep in the enemy’s rear.”

Earlier in June there were reports that a civilian airport in the Russian-occupied city of Kerch – about 100 kilometers from the Kirovske military airfield – was being converted into a military base likely for launching drones at Ukraine, according to a new investigation by Schemes, a project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Satellite images from Planet Labs showed ongoing construction and military-style activity at the Kerch airport. The photos, compared between February and June 2025, revealed new fortifications and camouflage structures around the runway.

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