Russia loses over 300 aircraft in costly aviation setbacks
The Russian Federation has lost several hundred aircraft during the war with Ukraine. Military analyst Aleksandr Kovalenko estimates that the losses in aviation currently exceed 300 aircraft.
As a result of the war with Ukraine, Russia has suffered significant losses in its aviation capabilities. According to the Ukrainian agency Unian, the aggressor's army has lost over 300 aircraft. Among the lost units are three long-range A-50 aircraft, which are no longer being produced, meaning the Russians cannot replace these specific losses.
Problems with production
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine lists the aircraft lost by the Russians in 2024 as follows:
- A-50 (3 aircraft)
- Su-25 (16 aircraft, not producible)
- Su-27 (1 aircraft, not producible)
- Su-30 (2 aircraft)
- Su-34 (18 aircraft)
- Su-35 (2 aircraft)
- Su-57 (2 aircraft)
- MiG-31 (1 aircraft, not producible)
- Il-22 (1 aircraft, not producible)
- Il-76 (2 aircraft)
- Tu-22M3 (3 aircraft, not producible)
- 2 aircraft of unknown type
Russia no longer produces many of the aircraft types lost during the conflict. Kovalenko emphasizes that each loss is significant, especially considering unique models like the A-50, which serve the Russian Federation in aerial observation. The production of new aircraft in Russia cannot compensate for these losses.
Production rate declines
The best year for the Russian aviation industry was 2014, when 101 aircraft were produced, according to expert estimates. Since then, production has declined, dropping to 20 units in 2019 and 2021. In 2022, after the invasion of Ukraine began, the Russian defense industry increased its output, producing 29 new and modernized fighter jets.
However, since 2022, the situation has not improved. In 2023, Russia delivered only 26 aircraft, including 2 Su-57s and 10 Su-35s. Despite ongoing losses, Russia is unable to return to a production level of 100 aircraft per year. This suggests serious technical and technological challenges within the Russian aviation industry.
Valuable Russian aircraft
Among all the Russian aircraft destroyed in 2024, two stand out due to the high number of losses. These are the Su-25, which can reach a speed of 590 mph and carry over 4 tons of weapons. It is a small aircraft designed for frontline combat and supporting ground forces.
The Su-34, of which the Russians have lost at least 18 in recent months, is a crucial component of their local forces. It is a tactical bomber capable of performing fighter missions. The Su-34 can accelerate to 1,180 mph and carry up to 8 tons of additional weapons (missiles, cruise missiles, and aerial bombs). During the war with Ukraine, the Russians have employed this aircraft, among others, to deploy glide bombs from the KAB family.
