Ukraine Drone Strike Damages Pantsir Air Defense System, Aircraft at Russian-Used Crimea Air Base

Satellite imagery appears to show damaged Russian equipment, including a Pantsir air defense system, following a drone strike conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on the Kirovske military air base in Russian-occupied Crimea.

The attack, which occurred on the night of June 28, 2025, resulted in visible damage to aircraft and air defense systems stationed at the facility.

The Dnipro-based Harbuz Telegram channel published satellite photos showing the destruction at the airfield. According to these images, at least one Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system was destroyed along with three helicopters. The exact identification of the helicopters in the images is currently unclear.

In a statement, the Security Service of Ukraine confirmed that the damaged aircraft included Mi-8 and Mi-26 military transport helicopters, as well as a Mi-28 attack helicopter.

The initial indication of the strike’s success came from NASA satellite imagery, which detected large fire outbreaks at the Kirovske base immediately after the attack. These thermal anomalies were consistent with precision strikes and extensive material damage.

Kirovske air base is located in eastern Crimea and is regularly used by Russian forces to support military operations in southern Ukraine. Its targeting marks another Ukrainian effort to disrupt Russian logistics and aviation assets on the peninsula.