Air war over Ukraine - Another Russian Black Month
The period covered in this part of the series (December 1 to December 31) can easily be described as yet another black month for Russian aviation. During Ukrainian drone attacks, acts of sabotage, and also due to accidents, it lost at least 10 aircraft, and air personnel also suffered casualties. Unfortunately, Ukraine cannot take much joy in this. It too failed to avoid losses. Although significantly smaller, they are very painful for a defending country.
Footage of the first successful attack of
the month was released by the Ukrainian
military intelligence service GUR on Thursday,
December 4, although it may have occurred
earlier. The video comes from the camera of
an FPV drone that attacked a Russian naval
aviation MiG-29K at the Kacha airbase in
Crimea during the night. The fighter jet had its
cockpit canopy open, indicating that it was an
operational aircraft undergoing maintenance
or flight preparation. According to the video,
the drone struck the aircraft in the area of the
lower front part of the engine nacelles. Later,
a satellite image of the Kacha base was also
released, and at the spot where this MiG-29K
had previously stood, a clearly visible burn
mark could be seen.
Just one day later, on Friday, December 5,
another video appeared, this time showing
a Ukrainian FPV drone attack on a Su-24M
bomber at the Saky airbase in Crimea. This
was again an operational aircraft, as evidenced
by a ladder positioned at the cockpit and
camouflage netting used to conceal it. Despite
these concealment measures, the Su-24M was
hit from the side in the fuselage.
On Thursday, De-
cember 11, another
blow followed. At
the Kacha base in
Crimea, a drone
struck an Antonov
An-26KPA from the
318th Mixed Aviation
Regiment with the
tail number “Blue
54” and registration
RF-46873. The air-
craft was standing on
the runway with its
engines running, meaning that a crew was
on board – not only pilots, but also operators
of special equipment. The An-26KPA version
(Kontrol'no-Poverochnaya Apparatura) is used
to test and calibrate radio-navigation systems
at airfields. In its cargo cabin it carries Stan-
dart KPA
-
ES-1 equipment and operator work-
stations. Russian sources reported dead and
wounded after the destruction of this aircraft.
Next, the Belbek airbase, also in Crimea,
came into the sights of Ukrainian drone
operators. First, on Thursday, December 18,
the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) released
footage of an attack on a MiG-31. The aircraft
had both cockpit canopies open and a tow bar
attached to the front landing gear, clearly
indicating that it was operational. Then, on
Sunday, December 20, the SBU released
images of an attack on two Su-27 fighters, also
at Belbek airfield. In addition to the aircraft,
Ukrainian drones struck several radars and
a Pantsir-S2 air defense system.
A footage from a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian
naval aviation MiG-29K at the Kacha base in Crimea.
An older image released by the Russian Ministry of Defense shows Su-30SM “Red
12.” This was most likely the aircraft that became the target of an arson attack
at the Lipetsk base during the night of December 20–21.
Attack on a MiG-31 at the Belbek base.
A Russian Su-24M hit at the Saky base in Crimea.
Images from the attack on two Su-27 fighters at the Belbek base.
An-26KPA “Blue 54” struck by a Ukrainian drone
at the Kacha base.
Miro Barič
Another Russian Black Month
The period covered in this part of the series (December 1 to December 31) can
easily be described as yet another black month for Russian aviation. During
Ukrainian drone attacks, acts of sabotage, and also due to accidents, it lost
at least 10 aircraft, and air personnel also suffered casualties. Unfortunately,
Ukraine cannot take much joy in this. It too failed to avoid losses. Although
significantly smaller, they are very painful for a defending country.
Air war over Ukraine
UKRAINE
INFO Eduard38
February 2026