Russian troops accidentally shoot down own aircraft, confirms Ukrainian Commander
Over the past weekend, Ukrainians attacked a Russian air base that houses bombers. The Russians have now lost another plane, this time as a result of friendly fire. The Unian agency reported that on December 17, the Russian armed forces inadvertently shot down one of their own Su-25 attack aircraft. The leaders of the Ukrainian forces have verified that it was not due to an attack by their troops.
11:07 AM EST, December 18, 2023
I can confidently confirm that it was not a Ukrainian air defense that shot down the Russian Su-25 attack aircraft. These were, without doubt, coordinated actions by Russian anti-aircraft units, and for that, the Ukrainian nation is extremely thankful," wrote Mykola Oleshchuk on his Telegram profile.
It's worth mentioning that this friendly fire incident associated with the Su-25 is not a standalone case. As early as May, their army had lost five aircraft - the Mi-28, Mi-8, and Mi-24N helicopters due to similar circumstances.
Later in August, the Russians imploded one of their own T-72B tanks, making it appear to be set off by a Ukrainian unit. In September, journalist Lukasz Michalik from Wirtualna Polska reported that the Russians had fired at their own troops enclosed in trenches using a heavy TOS-1 flamethrower.
Su-25 Air Support Aircraft Defined
The Su-25 aircraft, which dates back to the 70s, first took to the skies in 1975, and serial production began in 1978 - finally ending in 2017. This aircraft is a significant target for Ukrainians, as it primarily supports Russian ground troops.
The role of the Su-25 on the front includes maintaining support in air battles' front line and providing additional safety for ground units. This is reflected in its optimal operational altitude, around 23,000 feet, and a maximum speed of roughly 590 mph.
The Su-25, over 49 feet long and weighing 22,046 lbs, can carry more than 9,480 lbs of weaponry, fitted onto 10 under-wing nodes. The basic weapon on board is the GSz-30-2 gun with a 30 mm caliber. Coupled with a standard fuel tank capacity, the aircraft has a range exceeding 311 miles.
