SBS and HUR Showcase Destruction of AN-72 Aircraft and Heavy Drone Training Base in Crimea
In a significant military operation on April 2, 2026, Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed key strategic assets in Russian-occupied Crimea, including a heavy drone training base and an AN-72 transport aircraft.
In the early hours of April 2, 2026, a collaborative operation conducted by the Forces of Unmanned Systems (SBS) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) resulted in the destruction of strategically important facilities in Crimea, which is currently under Russian occupation. The operation specifically targeted the 'Orion' heavy drone training base, the AN-72P transport aircraft, and the radar system known as 'Mech.'
Commander of the SBS, Robert 'Madyar' Brovdi, reported that the operation utilized advanced strike capabilities. He stated, 'On the night of April 2, 2026, the Birds of 1st Operational Squadron of the SBS and the 9th Department of HUR paid a courtesy visit to the base and pre-flight training point of the latest and high-value strike-reconnaissance UAVs 'Orion'.'
According to the information provided, the base, located in the vicinity of the settlement of Krasnosil's'ke in the Kirovsky district of Crimea, was completely obliterated. The strike confirmed the destruction of four 'Orion' drones, which were crucial for Russian military operations in the region.
Additionally, during the operation, the AN-72P transport aircraft, used for cargo transportation, was also identified and destroyed, along with the Soviet-era mobile two-coordinate radar station P-37 'Mech', which played a significant role in air surveillance.
Brovdi also published a video demonstrating the process of targeting these objectives and provided a detailed description of the characteristics of the destroyed assets. He noted that the SBS forces executed the strikes using middle strike FP-2 systems, which are of Ukrainian manufacture and have a warhead weight ranging from 60 to 100 kg.
This operation serves as further evidence of the active measures taken by Ukrainian military forces in their fight against Russian aggression in Crimea. It underscores the importance of unmanned technology in modern warfare and showcases the capability of Ukrainian forces to conduct successful operations in occupied territories.
It is important to note that the destruction of such strategic assets represents a significant step in the broader context of the frontline situation and could substantially impact the operational capabilities of Russian troops in the region. Amidst the ongoing escalation of the conflict, similar actions by Ukrainian forces may prove decisive in the struggle to regain control over occupied territories.