Russian aviation faces critical setbacks in the Ukrainian conflict
The Russian Federation has lost several hundred aircraft during the war with Ukraine. Military analyst Aleksandr Kovalenko estimates that the losses in aviation currently exceed 300 aircraft.
As a result of the conflict with Ukraine, Russia has endured significant aviation losses. According to the Ukrainian agency Unian, the aggressor's forces have lost over 300 aircraft. Among these losses are three long-range A-50 aircraft, which are no longer being manufactured, meaning the Russians cannot easily replace them.
Problems with production
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has listed how many, and which, aircraft the Russians lost in 2024. The list includes:
- A-50 (3 aircraft)
- Su-25 (16 aircraft, no longer produced)
- Su-27 (1 aircraft, no longer produced)
- Su-30 (2 aircraft)
- Su-34 (18 aircraft)
- Su-35 (2 aircraft)
- Su-57 (2 aircraft)
- MiG-31 (1 aircraft, no longer produced)
- Il-22 (1 aircraft, no longer produced)
- Il-76 (2 aircraft)
- Tu-22M3 (3 aircraft, no longer produced)
- 2 aircraft of unknown type
Russia no longer produces many of the aircraft types lost during the conflict. Kovalenko stresses that each lost aircraft is a significant blow because of this. He particularly highlights unique machines like the A-50, which are vital for the Russian Federation's aerial observation capabilities. The production of new aircraft in Russia cannot compensate for the current losses.
Production rate declines
The best year for the Russian aviation industry was 2014 when 101 aircraft were produced, the expert estimates. Since then, production has dwindled, reaching 20 units in both 2019 and 2021. In 2022, following the onset of the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian defence industry stepped up, producing 29 new and modernised fighter jets.
However, since 2022, the situation has not improved. In fact, in 2023, Russia delivered only 26 aircraft, including 2 Su-57s and 10 Su-35s. Despite regular losses, Russia cannot return to a production level of 100 aircraft per year. This points to serious technical and technological challenges in the Russian aviation sector.
Valuable Russian aircraft
Among all the Russian aircraft destroyed in 2024, two aircraft stand out as having been most affected by losses. These are the Su-25, which can reach a speed of about 950 km/h and can carry weaponry weighing over 4 metric tonnes. It is a small aircraft intended for frontline combat and supporting ground forces.
The Su-34, of which the Russians have lost at least 18 in recent months, is a crucial aircraft for the local military. It's a tactical bomber capable of also carrying out fighter missions. It can accelerate to approximately 1,900 km/h and carry up to 8 metric tonnes of additional weaponry, including missiles and aerial bombs, beneath its wings. During the war with Ukraine, the Russians have utilised this aircraft to deploy glide bombs from the KAB family.
