Ukraine appears to have achieved a noteworthy milestone in its ongoing conflict with Russia, as reports emerge that Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets have shot down a Russian Su-34 bomber.
Circulated in Russia
This incident, if confirmed, would mark the first air victory for Western fighter jets during the war.
The information about the downed Su-34 bomber has primarily circulated through Russian sources, including Telegram accounts previously known for providing accurate reports rather than the Kremlin's propaganda, according to WP.
According to Milmag, the first announcement of the incident came from Ilia Tumanov, a former Russian military pilot who operates the Fighterbomber account on Telegram. He shared a black-and-white photo of the Su-34 with a cryptic caption, “The ground is the sky, brothers…”
Not Confirmed by Ukraine
Additional details indicate that the Su-34 was conducting a mission approximately 31 miles (50 kilometers) from the front line, releasing a glide bomb (FAB) equipped with a UMPK module while flying at an altitude of around 26,247 feet (8,000 meters) to increase the bomb’s range.
Despite the distance from Ukrainian forces, the bomber was reportedly shot down by an F-16 operating in an area controlled by Ukraine. Tragically, both crew members aboard the Su-34 did not survive the incident. As of now, Ukrainian sources have not provided any commentary on these developments.
Since receiving F-16 fighter jets, Ukraine has bolstered its air capabilities. To date, the country has received at least two batches of F-16A aircraft.
The first shipment, delivered in late July and early August 2024, included between six to ten planes, though it was reported that at least one may have been accidentally shot down by Ukrainian air defense.
The second batch of undisclosed quantity arrived from the Netherlands in early October, with the Netherlands committing to send a total of 24 aircraft.
The Su-34, a bomber developed from the Su-27 fighter jet, features a distinctive cockpit designed to accommodate two pilots side by side.
This aircraft is capable of carrying some of the heaviest munitions used by Russian forces during the conflict, including the 6,614-pound (3,000-kilogram) FAB 3000 bomb equipped with the UMPK module.
