Russian forces face mounting losses as fourth Su‑25 downed in two weeks
The Russian Federation Army continuously attempts to breach Ukrainian defence lines, resulting in the loss of more valuable machines. One of these losses is at least the fourth destroyed Su-25 attack aircraft in two weeks, as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ukrainians report the shooting down of another Russian Su-25 in Donetsk Oblast, where some of the most intense fighting in Ukraine is taking place. The aggressor's army attempts to break through the Ukrainian defence and advance the front line. However, it turns out that defenders put up significant resistance, as they have added another downed aircraft to their list of destroyed planes.
The destroyed Su-25 is at least the fourth unit removed from the Russian Federation's arsenal in the last two weeks. This means that the Russian air force's total losses are becoming increasingly significant, exceeding the previously estimated approximately 350 destroyed machines. At the same time, it is worth adding that according to military analyst Oleksiy Hetman, the Russian Federation army currently has just under 200 Su-25 aircraft, which the Ukrainians are increasingly destroying.
Aircraft that supports ground troops
The number of eliminated Su-25s continues to rise because they are mainly attack aircraft that operate on the front line and support allied ground forces from the air. Another essential aspect for the Ukrainian armed forces is that they are machines with relatively weak performance compared to more prominent and efficient air superiority fighters.
The Su-25 can accelerate to a maximum speed of approximately 950 km/h (590 mph) and fly at an altitude of up to 7,000 metres (23,000 feet). This combination of performance characteristics makes the attack aircraft a relatively easy target for Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems—easier than fighters, which often exceed speeds of over 1,930 km/h (1,200 mph).
The machine measures over 15 metres (49 feet) in length and can carry weapons weighing up to approximately 4,300 kg (9,500 lbs) on its under-wing hardpoints. For basic attacks, it uses the standard GSz-30-2 aircraft cannon with a calibre of 30 mm.
An essential technical parameter of the Su-25 is its range, approximately 500 km (310 miles). This means the aircraft must operate close to allied units and bases during attacks and is usually not used for deep strikes into enemy positions. The manufacturer allows the range to be increased to even 1,770 km (1,100 miles), requiring additional fuel tanks.
