Summary

  • Russia may have lost nine planes in a week, including key aircraft like the Su-34 and Tu-22 bomber.
  • Ukrainian drones struck Russian Tu-22 bomber from very long range.
  • Russian air force may face tough times ahead with the arrival of Ukraine’s F-16s.

Unofficial reports suggest that the Russian Air Force (VVS) lost almost 10 aircraft within the past week, including one supersonic Su-34 fighter bomber and a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber. The country’s air losses are believed to number between 150-300 since the start of its conflict with Ukraine in early 2022.

Russia may have lost nine planes in a week

As reported by X account @secretsqrl123, the VVS is reeling from several aircraft losses within the space of a week. So far, nine aircraft, including helicopters, are said to have been destroyed or damaged, including:

  • Mi-24p
  • 2x Mi-28
  • Mi-8
  • Su-34
  • Tu-22M3
  • Ka-226
  • 2x Su-30SM
tu-22

Photo: Marinodenisenko | Shutterstock

Many of the aircraft were destroyed while on the ground at airfields, including two Su-30 multirole fighters during a ground attack at Saky air base in Crimea on Friday. As for the Su-34 loss, this is believed to be due to a technical problem during a regular training flight in Volgograd, while the Tu-22 bomber was hit at Olenya air base located in Murmansk, almost 2,000km from Ukraine.

Related

Ukrainian Drones Fly 1,100 Miles To Strike Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 Bombers At Olenya Air Base

Ukraine claims to have hit a Russian bomber in the longest-range drone strike in Russia of the war.

According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, other casualties include three Russian helicopters – an Mi-8, Mi-28 and Ka-226 – destroyed at Kryazh airfield and Tomilino.

How significant are these losses?

Nine aircraft in a single week would be far higher than Russia’s average aircraft attrition rate – for example, February 2024 was considered a bad month for the VVS with 13 aircraft losses. Estimates vary considerably about how many aircraft Russia has lost since the start of its conflict with Ukraine – Ukrainian military sources put the figure at over 350, although intelligence site Oryx – which only counts visually-confirmed “kills” – puts the figure at around 120 planes, plus 138 helicopters.

Russia's Sukhoi Su-30

Photo: Borka Kiss | Shutterstock

According to an Air & Space Forces report, the Russian Air Force had lost around 10% of its fleet by April 2024, leaving its air capabilities largely intact. By and large, Russian aircraft have remained out of range of Ukrainian air defenses, helping the country minimize its losses. Glide bombs have become particularly effective, enabling Russian planes to deliver their offensive payloads without risk of being shot down.

A Dutch F-16 in the sky

Photo: Albert Beukhof | Shutterstock

Things will get tougher for the VVS once Ukraine’s F-16s arrive, though. The first jets are due to arrive within the next few weeks and have been touted for a more defensive role protecting Ukrainian skies from Russian aircraft.

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