Russia still parks its best bombers in the open. Ukraine has spent a year knocking out the air defenses that were supposed to protect them
The Russian air force parked six Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers out in the open at a base within reach of Ukraine's Neptune cruise missiles. Now at least four are wreckage.
On 14 and 15 October, Ukrainian naval forces launched a series of Long Neptune cruise missiles at the Borisoglebsk air base in western Russia, resulting in the destruction of four Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers. The aircraft were parked in exposed positions on the tarmac, making them vulnerable to attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the precision of the Ukrainian navy, stating that four Su-34s were destroyed and two were damaged.
Analysts noted that the Su-34 is the Russian air force's most advanced fighter-bomber, often carrying KAB precision glide bombs to target Ukrainian forces and civilians. The cost of just four of these aircraft to Russia is estimated around $200 million. Despite the heavy losses, Russia continues to receive new Su-34s from Sukhoi, helping maintain their inventory.
However, the continued open parking of Russian aircraft at vulnerable airfields raises concerns about their susceptibility to Ukrainian attacks, given the limited effectiveness of Russian air defenses.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
