Ukrainian drone strike cripples key Russian Su‑34 airbase

A recording has surfaced online showing the wreckage of a Su-34 aircraft destroyed by Ukrainians during a drone raid on the Morozovsk airfield, located in Russia near Rostov-on-Don. We explain why these aircraft are crucial for the Russians.

The Ukrainian attack with dozens of drones on the Morozovsk airfield, carried out on the night of August 2 to August 3, 2024, caused a massive fire and an explosion in an ammunition depot. Furthermore, satellite images indicated that one Su-34 aircraft was hit. Now, a recording from the airfield has surfaced, showing the wreckage of the aircraft, which is a total loss.

Based on the design of the Su-27, the Su-34 is a tactical bomber designated by NATO as "Fullback", specifically designed for attacks on ground targets. This aircraft is larger than its predecessor and equipped with canard foreplanes and an armored cockpit, increasing its resistance to ground fire or shrapnel from anti-aircraft missile warheads. A distinctive feature of the Su-34 is the side-by-side seating arrangement of the pilots, which the Russians claim improves their cooperation.

The Su-34, as a tactical bomber, can carry up to 18,000 pounds of armament on 12 pylons. The assortment includes, among others, S-8 unguided rocket pods, Kh-25 missiles, glide bombs of the FAB family weighing up to 3,300 pounds or 6,600 pounds, and Raduga Kh-59 missiles with a range of over 124 miles. Additionally, the Su-34 is equipped with a GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon.

Gliding bombs, which are released from more than 25 miles away, pose a huge problem for the Ukrainians. Even missing by several dozen yards makes little difference, as they have such a large blast radius that they can destroy any field fortification, even those providing protection against heavy artillery fire.

Wirtualna Polska journalist Łukasz Michalik notes that the most effective method of defending against this weapon is using Ukraine's own air force or medium-range anti-aircraft systems, such as S-300, Patriot, or SAMP/T, to shoot down Su-34 aircraft before they release their bombs. Unfortunately, Ukraine has shortages in both these categories of equipment.

These bombs, combined with the tactic of sending "meat assaults" to identify Ukrainian positions, have proven to be a very effective combat tool. However, Russia needs an adequate number of aircraft to deploy them, and with insufficient supplies, every lost Su-34 is a painful loss.

Russia has currently lost at least 32 Su-34/M units, a significant decrease from its pre-war fleet of about 130 aircraft. It’s also worth noting that logistics is not the Russians’ strong point, so in reality, even less than 50 percent of the aircraft on hand may be combat-ready.