Russian Super Flanker lost. Ukrainians are not to blame
2:55 PM EDT, September 29, 2023, updated: 9:09 AM EDT, October 5, 2023
Russian pilots do not have an easy life over Ukraine, because apart from Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems, they have another opponent who is theoretically supposed to be on their side. We explain the circumstances of the Su-35 plane being shot down over Tokmak.
On September 29th, the Russians lost one of their most advanced multi-purpose Su-35 aircraft in the occupied city district of Tokmak in the Zaporozhie region. According to latest reports, it was shot down by its own anti-aircraft defense, which incidentally, has downed quite a few Russian aircraft. Unfortunately, it is not known what caused it to be shot down, but as a result, the Su-35 was destroyed and the pilot did not survive.
The Russians have significant problems with IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems, because the radar signatures of aircraft used by Russia and Ukraine are similar. It's worth noting that even the newest Russian military equipment is mostly upgrades of designs from the USSR, as reported by Wirtualna Polska journalist, Łukasz Michalik.
Currently, the number of Russian losses confirmed by photos by the group oryxspioenkop (actual losses may be higher) amounts to 5 units of Su-35, and in the case of other modern machines such as Su-30SM and Su-34, it is 11 and 22 units respectively.
Su-35 - one of the best airplanes of the Russians
The Su-35, a design derived from the Su-27 fighter, was introduced into service in 2014. Thus, we have here a heavy, twin-engine air superiority fighter with a weight of 19 tons, also designed to conduct attacks on ground targets, and the armament is carried on 12 pylons.
This includes, among others, very interesting long-range air-to-air missiles R-37 capable of destroying targets at a distance of up to 180 miles (transport aircraft or AWACS, because for fighters the range will be lower, but still higher than AIM-120 AMRAAM) or guided cruise missiles. Especially the latter cause a lot of problems for Ukrainians.
A unique feature of the Su-35 compared to its predecessors, often showcased at air shows, is the use of thrust vectoring, which allows for excellent maneuverability at low speeds. In addition, the Su-35 is equipped with a N035 Irbis-E PESA type radar and an IRST OLS-35 system, which, however, falls behind the systems of this class found in Rafale or Eurofighters.
