Ukrainian drone strike ignites major fire at Russian airfield

Ukrainians have launched another attack on the Russian Morozovsk airfield, where Su-34 strike aircraft equipped with highly dangerous FAB bombs with UMPK modules are stationed. Here are the details of this operation.

The attack, which took place during the night of August 2 to 3, 2024, resulted in a fire at the airfield and caused secondary explosions of bombs or missiles stored there. Fuel tanks are also burning.

Some sources indicate that similar to the June attack, the Ukrainians used a swarm of drones. The Morozovsk airbase is one of the most critical targets as it houses the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment, which flies Su-34 aircraft. These aircraft are among the most valuable for the Russians, and the loss of even a few units, given production shortages, poses a significant problem for the Russian air force.

The tactical bomber Su-34, known under the NATO code name Fullback, is a development of the Su-27 design, specifically designed for ground attacks. This aircraft, significantly larger than its predecessor, is equipped with canard foreplanes and an armored cockpit, increasing resistance to ground fire. Su-34s were intended to gradually replace the older Su-24 models in the Russian Air Force.

A distinctive feature of the Su-34 is its cockpit design, where the pilots sit side by side rather than one behind the other. The Russians believe this arrangement improves their cooperation. Additionally, the cockpit is housed in a titanium capsule, increasing the chances of survival in case of anti-aircraft fire, such as from Gepard systems or shrapnel from nearby exploding anti-aircraft missiles.

As a tactical bomber, the Su-34 can carry up to 17,637 pounds of armament on 12 pylons. The options include S-8 rocket pods, Kh-25 missiles, glide bombs of the FAB family weighing up to 3,300 pounds or 6,614 pounds, and Raduga Kh-59 missiles with a range of over 124 miles. Additionally, the Su-34 is equipped with a GSh-30-1 30mm cannon.

Glide bombs dropped from a distance of over 25 miles are a significant problem for the Ukrainians. Even if they miss by a few dozen yards, their destructive power can obliterate any field fortification that usually protects against artillery fire.

The most effective way to defend against them is to use one's own air force or medium-range anti-aircraft systems such as Patriot or SAMP/T to shoot down the aircraft carrying these weapons before they are released. Unfortunately, Ukraine has significant deficits in both categories of equipment.

This allows the Russians to progress on the front, as detecting Ukrainian resistance points through so-called "meat assaults" and then destroying fortifications with aerial bombs has proven effective. However, this method requires two key components.

While manpower and aerial bombs can still be found in Russia, the situation is more dire with the Su-34/M aircraft, of which Russia has lost at least 31 since the war began, according to Oryx. Given the insufficient deliveries of new units and a combat readiness likely around 50 percent or less (with aircraft also being withdrawn due to wear and tear), Russia now has significantly fewer than the approximately 130 aircraft it had at the start of the war.