CHERNIHIV, UKRAINE – Ukraine forces shot down a Russian Su-34 today, near the city of Chernihiv in Northern Ukraine. The pilot managed to eject, and is detained now, the governor said. The navigator has been killed. The pilot is currently being interrogated.
The aircraft with registration RF-93817 and the pilot, allegedly also served in Syrian operations in the recent past.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations reports that three FAB-500 aerial bombs were found in the yards near Chernihiv. According to preliminary data, they appeared among the wreckage and rubble, as a result of the crash of the Su-34 aircraft.
Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback
The Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback is a Soviet-origin Russian twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter bomber/strike aircraft, initially intended for the Soviet Air Force. It made its first flight in 1990 and entered service in 2014 with the Russian Air Force.
The Su-34 is based on the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, has an armoured cockpit for side-by-side seating of its two-person crew. The Su-34 is designed primarily for tactical deployment against ground and naval targets on solo and group missions in daytime and at night, under favourable and adverse weather conditions and in a hostile environment with counter-fire and electronic warfare counter-measures deployed, as well as for aerial reconnaissance.
The Su-34 will eventually replace the Su-24 tactical strike fighter and the Tu-22M long-distance bomber.
☆☆☆
Head photo: Source unkown
Aviation News, Videos and More!