SBU Hits 13 Russian Military Targets in Week-Long Deep Strike Campaign
AI Analysis
The SBU conducted a week-long campaign of deep strikes into Russian territory, targeting airfields in Crimea housing both manned aircraft and Shahed drones, as well as oil facilities and frontline logistics hubs. These strikes utilized long-range drones as the primary attack vector, aiming to disrupt Russian military capabilities and supply lines.
Key Takeaways
- SBU Alpha Group executed 13 strikes over the past week as part of a 40-day campaign.
- Targets included Saky and Hvardiyske airfields in Crimea, impacting Russian fighter/bomber and Shahed drone operations.
- Multiple Russian oil facilities were struck, located up to 850km from Ukraine.
- Frontline command posts and logistics nodes were targeted, disrupting supply operations.
- The SBU claims significant disruption to Russian logistics, ammunition, and fuel supplies, alongside personnel casualties.
Why It Matters
This demonstrates Ukraine's expanding ability to strike deep within Russia using drones, challenging Russian air defenses and logistical networks. The targeting of both military assets and critical infrastructure signals a shift towards a more aggressive strategy aimed at degrading Russia's war-fighting capacity and potentially influencing political decision-making. The success of these strikes will likely influence future Ukrainian drone warfare tactics and procurement.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Tuesday, July 7, that its Alpha Group special forces carried out 13 long-range and mid-range strikes against key Russian military targets over the past week.
The operations are part of a 40-day campaign approved by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the SBU said.
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Zelensky announced the campaign on June 26 and said the goal is to “[compel Russia] to end the war.”
SBU drones struck hangars at Saky airfield in occupied Crimea, where Su-30SM, Su-30, and Su-24 bombers were stationed. Each aircraft is estimated to be worth $30-50 million, the SBU said.
Alpha Group also hit Hvardiyske airfield, one of the main Russian air bases in Crimea. The strike targeted hangars housing Shahed drones and other aircraft. The base is regularly used by Russian tactical aviation to launch strikes on Ukrainian territory.
SBU forces struck multiple oil facilities deep inside Russia, including:
Ukrainian forces also targeted Russian military infrastructure on the front lines, including:
The SBU said the strikes significantly complicated supply operations for Russian units at forward positions, disrupting logistics, ammunition deliveries, and fuel supplies. Russian personnel at drone units and rear support facilities also suffered casualties, the agency added.
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