Ukraine downs dozens of Su‑34s but Russia's reserves hold strong

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported that Russia has suffered the loss of over 340 military aircraft in the ongoing conflict. The Su-34 tactical bombers, frequently utilized and lost, stand out. In February alone, Ukrainian forces managed to down 10 of these bombers, marking a significant achievement in recent months. This raises the question: How many more Su-34s must be taken down to significantly impact Russia's operational capabilities?

"As of 2022, approximately 140 Su-34 units had been produced by the Russian Federation. Some were exported, others lost in crashes. At the onset of intense conflict activities, Russia had 105 of these aircraft. To date, we have downed 37, leaving them with about 68-72 units," Konstantin Kryvolap was quoted by the Unian agency.

Kryvolap observed that the start of this year has been notably successful for Ukraine, with Russian aircraft losses surpassing their replenishment capabilities. However, maintaining such a pace will be challenging. The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) analysts believe that the Russian command's recent tactical shift—accepting higher losses for potential strategic gains—is only temporary, aiming to advance further into Ukrainian territory.

An analysis in "Forbes" highlights the integral role of the Su-34 in Russian aviation. Since the year's start, escorted by Su-35s, these bombers have conducted over a hundred combat flights daily. The KABs (guided aerial bombs), especially problematic for Ukrainians, can weigh up to 3307 pounds, though those commonly used are about 1102 pounds. The destruction of a Russian A-50 aircraft has only recently led to a slight reduction in such flights.

The Su-34 stands as a pivotal element of Russian aviation. These units, over 75 feet long, can carry up to 8 tons of armament across 12 points. Powered by twin AL-31F M1 engines, they can reach speeds around 1180 mph, with a maximum range of about 2485 miles.