Explosions at a Russian base knocked out over half the Black Sea fleet's combat jets, crippling its warfighting ability, Western officials and intelligence say

Over half of the Russian Black Sea fleet's combat jets were knocked out in recent explosions, Western officials have said.

Several Russian warplanes and buildings were destroyed in multiple blasts at the Saki Air Base on August 9.

Over half of Russia's Black Sea fleet's naval aviation jets have been lost due to the damage, Western officials said Friday.

Satellite imagery from last week shows that as many as 13 jets were damaged or destroyed.

In an intelligence update last week, the British defense ministry said that the jets lost only represent a small portion of Russia's total aircraft inventory. The impact on the Black Sea fleet was larger than expected.

According to UK intelligence, the naval aviation capability is now degraded. The Russian military is likely to change its perception of threat. The area has been seen as a secure back-area.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia moved a number of aircraft from the peninsula to bases in Russian territory.

Last week's apparent attack on the Saki Air Base was the first in the occupied peninsula since Russia annexed it.

The Air Force of Ukraine celebrated on social media that it was behind the blasts at the base. Some reports have said that Ukrainian special forces were involved in the attack. Russia tried to downplay the damage caused by the explosion.