Ukrainian forces down another su‑34 bomber in the Kursk region
Ukrainians have destroyed another Su-34 multirole tactical bomber within a few days. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the defending army shot down this unit on the territory of the Russian Federation in the Kursk region.
2:54 PM EDT, August 14, 2024
"Anti-aircraft measures of the Ukrainian air force on the territory of the Kursk region destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter bomber. The aircraft was on a combat mission," reads the communiqué of the Ukrainian military. A recording has also appeared on social media, which is said to show the effect of the attack on the Russian Su-34 – the video shows a column of thick smoke in an unspecified location on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Russians lost another aircraft
The loss of this aircraft is extremely significant for the Russians. This is primarily because there are fewer and fewer of these units in their armed forces. Recently, an expert associated with the aviation industry, Konstantyn Kryvolap, commented on the size of the Russian air force. According to his calculations, the Russians have about 80 Su-34 aircraft. In the past, they have confirmed the destruction of over 30 units.
What is also important is that the Russian Federation's defense industry is currently producing a maximum of 10 Su-34 tactical bombers per year. This number does not allow for covering current losses and essentially illustrates the problems of the Russian industry. In 2022, 20 such aircraft were produced, while in 2023, productivity dropped to 12 units. In 2024, the Russian Air Force was supplemented with only four Su-34 units.
Multirole tactical bomber
The Su-34s are often referred to as fighters, but in fact, they are multirole tactical bombers. The Russian military uses them as versatile machines that can be utilized for various missions, including direct engagement in air combats and bombing enemy units.
In the context of bombing, it's worth noting that the Su-34 can carry up to 18,000 lbs of additional armament (beyond the standard GSz-30-1 30mm aircraft gun). The aircraft can be integrated with various aviation bombs and S-8, Kh-25, or Kh-59 missiles. The space for this ammunition is located on 12 undercarriage pylons.
The maximum speed of the Su-34 is around 1,180 mph, powered by two AL-31F M1 turbojet engines. The maximum range of this aircraft on a single tank reaches around 2,485 miles.
