A Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappeared from radar screens amid a drone and missile attack on Ukraine.
Shot Down by F-16?
Ukrainian sources suggest that the aircraft might have been shot down by a Ukrainian F-16, though the exact details remain uncertain. In the area where the plane is believed to have crashed into the sea, an oil slick has been observed, and Russian helicopters are reportedly patrolling the vicinity, according to WP.
The Su-30SM, which was part of a mission to attack Odessa with Kh-31P missiles, was last tracked northwest of Crimea, about 75 kilometers from the Ukrainian coast. The aircraft successfully launched four of the six missiles it carried before its signal vanished.
The final known position was marked by a fuel slick on the water, and Russian Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters are reportedly searching for the aircraft’s two-man crew.
Could Be Mehanical Failure
While Russia has not confirmed the loss of the Su-30SM, Ukrainian reports suggest that it may have fallen victim to an F-16. Ukrainian F-16s, equipped with AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles, are capable of engaging targets at such distances, making this scenario plausible.
Maciej Szopa from Defence24 notes that an F-16 shootdown is just one possible explanation. Another possibility is the involvement of the Patriot missile system, which also has the range to destroy the Russian aircraft.
Additionally, the Su-30SM could have experienced a mechanical failure; after launching four Kh-31P missiles, a malfunction of the fifth missile during firing could have led to the aircraft's loss.
The Su-30SM is a versatile Russian fighter derived from the Su-30MKI, designed for the Indian Air Force. It boasts impressive maneuverability, advanced avionics, and a combat load capacity of up to eight tons. The aircraft features canards and thrust-vectoring engines, enhancing its agility in combat.
