• Ukraine reports a historic military achievement, downing two Russian Su-30 fighter jets with naval drones.
• The operation marks the first successful use of sea drones to destroy crewed aircraft.
• Estimated cost of each downed jet is around $50 million, showcasing the value of the strike.
• Ukrainian intelligence agency GUR has released video evidence of the attacks.
• The incident raises the stakes in the ongoing conflict and demonstrates Ukraine's evolving military capabilities.

Reportedly, Ukraine has successfully downed two Russian Su-30 fighter jets over the Black Sea using missiles launched from naval drones, an operation described as a world first by military intelligence. The strikes were executed by Group 13 of the GUR, utilizing Magura naval drones equipped with missile warheads. This marks the first recorded instance where crewed combat aircraft were destroyed by sea drones in conflict, highlighting a significant evolution in modern warfare tactics, according to SCMP, Newsweek, Business Insider, and Newsweek.

On a recent Friday, the Su-30 jets, each valued at approximately $50 million, were struck near the strategic port city of Novorossiysk, where Russia has predominantly staged its Black Sea Fleet. GUR intelligence released video footage showing one aircraft being engulfed in flames and crashing into the sea. Reports indicated that the crew from one of the jets was rescued by civilians, while the fate of the second crew is not currently confirmed, highlighting the high-stakes nature of these operations, according to SCMP, Newsweek, and Business Insider.

The operation signifies a pivotal moment in Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia, showcasing the country's increased reliance on innovative drone warfare tactics. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion by Russia, Ukraine has effectively turned to its naval drone capabilities, making significant strikes against Russian naval forces and asserting dominance around Crimea. The implications of these strikes could alter the operational landscape of naval combat, as stated by Ukrainian officials who declared a new era of warfare at sea, according to SCMP, Newsweek, and Newsweek.