Ukraine intensifies strikes on Russian military assets as Christmas attacks loom

CNN reported the information.

Over the past three weeks, Ukraine has executed a series of precision attacks on Russian military installations across occupied Crimea and southern Russia, destroying multiple fighter jets and crippling key military assets. The operations represent a strategic shift aimed at disrupting Russia's offensive capabilities at their source.

In one of the most daring operations, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence reported that two Russian Su-30 fighters were destroyed during a sabotage mission at Lipetsk airfield in western Russia on Saturday night. The agency said planning for the operation took two weeks, with operatives monitoring Russian patrol patterns before executing the strike and departing without detection.

The same night, long-range drones hit two Su-27 aircraft at Belbek airfield in Crimea, according to the Ukrainian Security Service. One plane was loaded with weapons and prepared for combat when it was destroyed. Modernized Su-27s are capable of carrying guided bombs that have inflicted severe damage across Ukraine.

Belbek has emerged as a priority target, suffering multiple strikes within days. Ukrainian forces claim they first destroyed radar equipment and air defense systems at the base on December 18, leaving it vulnerable to follow-up attacks. A MiG-31 fighter was also destroyed in subsequent raids.

Beyond aircraft, Ukraine has targeted Russia's naval capabilities. A sea drone attacked a Russian Kilo-class submarine at Novorossiysk last week, with Ukrainian security services claiming the vessel suffered critical damage. These submarines have been used to fire cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities.

While Russia maintains hundreds of strike aircraft, Ukrainian officials view each destroyed plane or submarine as reducing the threat to their cities and front-line positions. Analyst David Axe noted that Ukrainian operations are achieving steady attrition of Russian air power, with the number of combat aircraft at Crimean bases now less than half their 2022 levels.

The military campaign comes as Ukraine braces for potential Russian retaliation during the Christmas period. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Monday that Russia may launch massive strikes between December 23 and 25, calling on the military and intelligence services to heighten their alert status.

"We understand that precisely on these days they may — this is in their nature — carry out massive strikes on Christmas," Zelenskyy said, acknowledging Ukraine's shortage of air defense systems to counter such attacks.

Zelenskyy's warning followed a Ukrainian delegation's return from Miami, where officials held talks with American counterparts about ending the war. The president said working drafts of a peace plan have been prepared jointly by Ukraine and the United States, though significant disagreements remain on both sides.

"The core document is ready," Zelenskyy stated, while noting there are provisions Ukraine cannot accept and elements Russia will likely reject. He said Ukraine expects feedback from Washington about ongoing American negotiations with Russian representatives.

In Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov offered cautious praise for the Trump administration's skeptical stance toward NATO expansion, calling it a step in the right direction. However, he emphasized that Russia still has serious concerns about the U.S. position on resolving the Ukrainian war.