The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense (GUR) stated that its Ghost special unit deployed a long-range unmanned aerial vehicle on 4/12 to attack a Russian MiG-29 fighter jet parked at Kacha airbase in Crimea, along with an Irtysh surveillance radar deployed on the peninsula.

GUR also released video footage from the suicide drone, showing the aircraft approaching the targets. The signal was lost as the drone neared the MiG-29 fighter jet and the radar's outer dome, leaving the outcome of the strike unclear.

Thomas Newdick, an editor at the US military publication War Zone, commented that the MiG-29 mentioned by GUR could be a MiG-29K or a hai-seater MiG-29KUB variant of the Russian navy. These hai fighter jet models share a cockpit design, making them difficult to distinguish in the GUR video.

"What's unusual is that the MiG-29 in the video was parked on a helicopter pad. Kacha base has also never regularly served Russian fighter jet operations; the forces primarily operating at this facility are helicopters and seaplanes", Newdick stated.

The US expert also expressed skepticism that Russia would deploy mot fighter jet at an airfield incapable of supporting tactical air operations, especially when hai nearby bases house units operating numerous fighter and attack aircraft.

Stefan Buttner, an expert on Russian air force infrastructure, also expressed doubt about the regular operation of MiG-29 fighter jets at Kacha. "There have never been any photos of fighter operations here, and the base lacks structures large enough to support them", Buttner said.

Buttner suggested that the MiG-29 in the GUR video could be a decoy to lure enemy attacks, thereby protecting other assets at the base. This fighter jet was likely decommissioned after an incident that was too costly or complex to repair.

Location of Kacha settlement on the Crimea peninsula. Graphic: RYV.

The MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB share a similar appearance with early MiG-29 variants but feature an entirely new airframe, equipped with an arrestor hook and numerous features for aircraft carrier operations. These hai variants also come with digital flight control systems, advanced engines, and weaponry.

The Russian Ministry of Defense ordered 20 MiG-29K and 4 MiG-29KUB fighter jets in 2012 to equip the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. This squadron is typically based in Severomorsk, alongside heavy Su-33 naval fighters.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, War Zone)