December 22, 2025
Ukraine’s intelligence confirmed that a special operation overnight on December 20-21 disabled two Su-30 multirole fighters at russian air base
During the night of December 20-21, 2025, a special operation was carried out against russian military air base located near Lipetsk, resulting in the confirmed damage to two Su-30 multirole fighter jets. The operation targeted aircraft actively used by russia in its air campaign against Ukraine.
The details were disclosed by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, which released updated and clarified information on the outcome of the strike. Earlier reports had indicated a fire at the airfield and the disabling of two enemy combat aircraft.
According to the updated assessment, both affected aircraft were identified specifically as Su-30 fighters. This confirmation is significant, as Su-30 aircraft remains one of the key platforms used by the russian Aerospace Forces for air superiority missions and strike operations in the war against Ukraine.
The Su-30 is a twin-engine, multirole fighter capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, including the launch of guided and unguided munitions. Russia has relied heavily on this aircraft type to conduct missile strikes, escort bombers, and patrol airspace near Ukraine’s borders.
The estimated combined value of the two damaged Su-30 fighters is reported to be up to $100 million, highlighting the material cost of the operation for russia. Beyond financial losses, the damage represents a direct reduction in russia’s available combat aviation assets.
Both aircraft were reportedly part of a combat aviation unit directly involved in air operations against Ukraine. Their removal from service, whether temporarily or permanently, may impact the operational tempo of russian air missions launched from the region.
As Defense Express previously reported, on the Donetsk axis, operators of Ukraine’s Rarog 427th Unmanned Systems Regiment have successfully halted an enemy assault by striking armored vehicles and key engineering equipment critical to the offensive.
The operation disrupted the adversary’s attempt to advance toward Ukrainian forces’ positions and effectively neutralized the assault group’s mobility and protection.
