The Russians Keep Parking Helicopters On the Same Undefended Tarmac In Crimea. The Ukrainians Keep Blowing Them Up.

Ukrainian drones and missiles range freely across Crimea.

On or just before Sept. 1, the Ukrainian defense intelligence agency flew fixed-wing attack drones at least 120 miles over Russian-occupied Crimea and blew up two Mil Mi-8 helicopters parked at Simferopol International Airport.

Unbothered, the Russians parked at least three more of the Mi-8 transports on the same tarmac. On or before Sunday, the Ukrainian intel agency struck again—and blew up those three Mi-8s.

“The aircraft fleet of the Russian invaders in the temporarily occupied Crimea has again decreased,” the agency crowed.

It should be clear, as Russia’s wider war on Ukraine grinds into its 43rd month, that no Russian forces are safe in or near Crimea. The Ukrainians have steadily ground down Russian air defenses on the peninsula—and now they can fly their drones and launch their missiles with relative impunity, striking at will.

It may not matter for Ukraine’s outnumbered, outgunned ground forces, however.