Ukraine Claims Destruction of Russian Su-27UB Jet in Krasnodar Amidst Russia's Massive Navy Day Drills
Ukraine has claimed a significant military success, stating that a Russian Su-27UB fighter jet was destroyed in a fire at the Armavir airfield in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region on the night of July 25-26. This incident occurred as Russia concurrently held its annual Navy Day, marked by the massive "July Storm" naval exercises involving over 150 warships and 15,000 personnel.
Ukrainian Claim of Su-27UB Destruction:
Location and Aircraft: Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported on July 26 that the Su-27UB combat trainer aircraft was destroyed at the Armavir military airfield. This airfield is primarily used for training cadets from the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School.
Cause Unspecified, but Sabotage Hinted: While HUR did not explicitly detail the cause of the fire, it hinted at an act of Russian sabotage, stating, "Resistance to the Kremlin regime inside Russia is growing." Some reports, citing video footage released by HUR, suggest a Molotov cocktail or similar incendiary device may have been used, indicating an inside job rather than a drone strike.
Local Reports: Ukrainian intelligence cited local residents near the airfield who reported communication disruptions following the incident.
Russian Silence: Russian authorities have not yet publicly commented on the reported fire or Ukraine's claims.
Su-27UB Capabilities: The Su-27UB is a twin-seat variant of the Sukhoi Su-27, a fourth-generation, all-weather, supersonic air superiority fighter. While primarily designed for training missions, the Su-27UB retains full combat capability and serves as a platform for developing more advanced Su-30 series aircraft. The Su-27 family is known for its high speed (Mach 2.35), impressive maneuverability (including the "Pugachev Cobra"), and significant armament, typically including a 30mm cannon and air-to-air missiles.
This alleged incident in Krasnodar Krai is notable as the region, situated just east of occupied Crimea and separated by the Kerch Strait, has become an increasingly frequent target of Ukrainian drone attacks in recent months. Earlier in July, Russian authorities reported downing dozens of Ukrainian drones over Krasnodar and other western/southern regions, with some strikes causing damage to infrastructure and even casualties.
Russia's "July Storm" Naval Exercises:
On July 27, Russia celebrated its annual Navy Day with the large-scale "July Storm" naval exercises, personally observed by Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin via videoconference.
Scale and Scope: The drills, which commenced on July 23 and concluded on Navy Day, were described as the largest naval maneuvers Russia has conducted in recent years. They involved:
Over 150 warships and support vessels.
120 aircraft.
10 coastal missile batteries.
950 pieces of military and special equipment.
More than 15,000 personnel.
Geographic Reach: The exercises spanned multiple Russian naval theaters, including the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Baltic and Caspian Seas. This multi-front exercise aimed to test the readiness of Russia's Northern, Pacific, Baltic, and Black Sea Fleets, as well as the Caspian Flotilla.
Objectives: The primary objective, as stated by President Putin, was to "thoroughly train actions needed to repel a sea-based assault." The drills also tested the integrated employment of long-range precision weapons, unmanned systems (including a new strike sea drone unveiled in the Baltic Sea), and both next-generation and current military hardware. Approximately 550 combat exercises were conducted, with weapons employed in over 450 of these scenarios.
Notable Omission: Significantly, the Black Sea Fleet was notably absent from the main "July Storm" exercises. This is unsurprising given the substantial losses and operational limitations the fleet has experienced in the ongoing war with Ukraine.
Cancelled Parade: For the first time since its inception in 2017, Russia cancelled its main Navy Day parade traditionally held in St. Petersburg, citing security concerns. This decision followed recent reports of hundreds of Ukrainian strike UAVs targeting military facilities across Russian territory on July 27. Despite the parade's cancellation, Putin visited St. Petersburg to meet with senior Navy officials.
The simultaneous occurrence of a claimed Ukrainian success deep within Russian territory and Russia's show of naval force on Navy Day highlights the continued intensity and asymmetric nature of the conflict.
