Russian Air Force woes: SU‑34 losses blamed on F‑16s

According to analysts, Russian propagandists are extensively commenting on the downing of the Su-34 by the F-16. However, this inadvertently highlights one of the major issues within their air force: The systematic downing of aircraft that play crucial roles in the war in Ukraine. These losses have already reached significant numbers.

American geopolitical analyst Irina Zuckerman, cited by "The National Interest", highlighted that while Russia's offensive in Ukraine persists, the recent incident marks another challenge for Russia, as Su-34 aircraft are typically deployed to target Ukrainian infrastructure.

The Su-34 (NATO code: Fullback) is a tactical bomber developed in the 1990s to replace the Su-24. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that it remains one of the mainstays of the Russian air force. It measures over 75 feet in length and can reach speeds of up to 1,180 mph. It also has a maximum range of 2,485 miles and can carry weapons considered significant by Russia, including guided aerial bombs, which pose considerable challenges for Ukrainians.

Over 35 Su-34s were destroyed during the war in Ukraine. Analysts point out that this represents almost one-quarter of the pre-war fleet of these aircraft in service with the Russian Federation. They also emphasize that Russian losses at the front are outpacing the production of new units.

The latest Su-34 was destroyed in Ukraine on October 12. One hypothesis suggests it may have been downed by an F-16 fighter jet. Russian propagandists heavily emphasize this theory, which analysts believe is a deliberate tactic. Although there's no confirmed information about F-16 involvement in this incident, pro-Kremlin propagandists have used the F-16 theory to further anti-Ukrainian and anti-American sentiments.

Zuckerman emphasized the significance of mentioning the F-16, noting that pro-Kremlin propagandists are quick to seize any opportunity to criticize U.S. support for Ukraine. They use this as a chance to undermine both American and Western aid, portraying Ukraine as a puppet of intelligence agencies like the CIA or MI6, allegedly using Western equipment to attack Russia.