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It includes a staggering 1500 tanks.
It includes a staggering 1500 tanks.
What is happening?
Ukraine’s Alpha special forces, part of the Security Service (SBU), have destroyed more than £4 billion worth of Russian military equipment since the full-scale invasion began.
Their impact includes over 1,500 tanks, underscoring the unit’s tactical prowess and central role in Ukraine’s defence.
A Celebrated 31-Year Legacy
Marking its 31st anniversary, the Alpha unit was honoured by President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.
The celebration acknowledged the group’s legacy and vital contributions, with state honours awarded to recognize their battlefield excellence.
War Trophies: A Growing Arsenal of Destruction
In addition to tanks, Alpha forces have eliminated nearly 3,000 armoured vehicles and 2,655 artillery systems.
They’ve also taken down four helicopters, showcasing their versatility and effectiveness across various battlefronts.
Zelensky Applauds Unparalleled Battlefield Performance
Speaking at the anniversary event, President Zelensky highlighted the unit’s staggering record: over US$5.5 billion in Russian military assets destroyed.
He praised their operations, adding this figure doesn’t even include the damage from covert missions like ‘Spiderweb’.
Top-Tier Military Effectiveness
Alpha isn’t just elite in name. According to Ukrainian leadership, the SBU’s special forces rank consistently among the top three most effective units in terms of enemy equipment and personnel neutralized.
A Devastating Fortnight on the Front
In just the last two weeks, Alpha forces have dealt further damage: 39 tanks destroyed, 14 air defence systems neutralized, and 17 ammunition depots obliterated.
Strategic Strike on Crimea’s Kirovsk Airfield
Over the weekend, Alpha-led drone strikes targeted the Kirovsk airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea.
The operation destroyed multiple helicopters including Mi-8, Mi-26, and Mi-28 models, along with a Pantsyr-S1 anti-aircraft system.
Explosions Rock the Airbase
Local reports described five to six powerful blasts followed by a rapidly spreading fire.
The blaze consumed much of the base, lighting up the sky and causing extensive damage to its infrastructure, as seen in dramatic footage shared online.
Flames Engulf Kirovsk in Broad Daylight
By midday, the fire at Kirovsk had spread to the airfield’s central zone, according to Telegram channel Crimean Wind.
Eyewitnesses described a growing inferno, signaling a major blow to Russian air operations in the region.
Ukrainian Drones Hit Another Target in Russia
Alpha wasn’t finished. Ukrainian drones also struck Marinovka airfield in Russia’s Volgograd region early Saturday.
Initial intelligence suggests two SU-34 fighter-bombers were destroyed and two more seriously damaged, marking another successful cross-border hit.
