Russian military aircraft plunges down.
In a series of recent incidents, the Russian armed forces have suffered significant losses of their Su-34 fighter jets, a crucial element in their warfare against Ukraine. Last week, Ukraine destroyed two Su-34 fighter jets at a military airbase in the Volgograd region, and another four were destroyed in a drone strike on June 27 at the Marinovka airbase in the same region.
The latest incident occurred on July 1, 2025, when a Su-34 fighter jet crashed near the town of Kulebaki in the Nizhny Novgorod region during a training flight. Remarkably, both pilots were able to eject safely and are reported to be alive.
The Russian Aerospace Forces have been operating the Su-34 since the mid-2000s. This twin-seat fighter-bomber is capable of firing cruise missiles, rockets, and dropping guided bombs, making it a formidable asset in strike missions.
However, the exact number of Su-34s remaining in service after these incidents is not officially confirmed. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the crew of the crashed jet was unable to extend the landing gear during the approach.
These losses, particularly at the key tactical aviation base in Marinovka, represent a notable reduction in available operational Su-34 jets. The crash in Nizhny Novgorod and the damage sustained at the same airbase last week have clearly depleted Russia's Su-34 tactical bomber strength in the Volga region.
These events underscore the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with each side employing advanced military technology in their conflicts. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these losses will impact Russia's military capabilities in the region.
- The loss of several Su-34 fighter jets, a key element in Russia's warfare against Ukraine, has been a recurring theme in general news, highlighting the ongoing war-and-conflicts and the politics involved.
- The sports world, however, took a different turn as the Russian Aerospace Forces experienced a tragic incident on July 1, 2025, when a Su-34 fighter jet crashed during a training flight, leaving the sports community relieved that both pilots managed to eject safely.
- Despite the Russian Defense Ministry's report on the Nizhny Novgorod crash, accidents like these, along with the damage sustained at the Marinovka airbase, have raised concerns about the number of operational Su-34 jets available, potentially affecting sports events that require air support should the need arise.
