Analysts said the attack would be embarrassing for Moscow and a major boost for Kiev.
Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a safe haven for Russians to live and vacation. The Russian military used the Saky air base to launch airstrikes in southern Ukraine.
The attack was carried out by a Ukrainian special forces group, and no Western-supplied weapons were reportedly used in the attack.
It is said to showcase the potential of highly trained Ukrainian soldiers. The exact extent of the damage to the airbase is still unclear. Seven fighter jets were reported destroyed and more damaged.
But Ukrainian defence officials said nine fighter jets had been destroyed. However, it has been reported that Battle Damage Assessments (BDA) can sometimes take days to determine.
Meanwhile, the response to the attack among Ukrainians is said to be difficult to overstate. Social media sites are celebrating it and news sites have widely reported it today.
The momentum in the war has shifted back and forth, but a combination of long-range Western weapons and bold attacks like this one are reportedly helping to turn things in Ukraine's favor.
