Ukraine downs Russian Su‑25 as combat losses mount in Donetsk
The Ukrainian army reports shooting down another Russian Su-25 aircraft in the Donetsk region. This is the third aircraft downed in a week. We recall the capabilities of these ground support aircraft.
The total aircraft losses on the Russian side are estimated at approximately 350 units. Ukrainians continue to report further destruction in a short period. This time, similar to recent days, the defending army eliminated a Su-25 – reports the Ukrainian agency Unian.
Russia loses another aircraft
The Russian Federation Army is estimated to have just under 200 Su-25 aircraft – military analyst Oleksij Hetman assessed recently. However, it's crucial to emphasize that this number is consistently decreasing due to the ongoing conflict. The Su-25 was designed as a ground attack aircraft operating on the front lines and is characterized by relatively poor performance compared to air superiority fighters.
This means that the Su-25 is not only an essential asset for the Ukrainians, as it supports ground troops from the air, but also an easy target. A machine flying at a maximum altitude of around 7,000 meters and a speed below 950 km/h (approximately 590 mph) is much easier to shoot down than more prominent fighters, which operate at altitudes over 30,000 feet and fly at supersonic speeds.
Online comments also suggest that by destroying more Su-25s, Ukrainians are preparing to integrate F-16s into their ranks. However, it's essential to acknowledge that due to differences in the specifications of both aircraft, the Su-25 is not a direct air competitor of the F-16.
Aircraft for air support of ground troops
The Su-25 is an aircraft whose history began in the 1970s. Its first flight occurred in 1975, and three years later, Russia commenced mass production. The Su-25 was never intended as an air superiority fighter – it was designed for a different role.
Measuring over 15 meters long, the Su-25 weighs 10,000 kg and can carry ammunition weighing up to 4,300 kilograms on 10 underwing hardpoints. Its primary weapon is the GSz-30-2 30 mm cannon. The capabilities mentioned earlier, i.e., a maximum speed of approximately 950 km/h (about 590 mph) and an altitude limit of 7,000 meters, determine the Su-25's application. The aircraft must operate at relatively low altitudes and work within a short radius from allied bases – this stems from the basic version's range of the Su-25, estimated at 500 km. The Russian aircraft can contribute to the infantry and mechanized units' combat advantage at this distance from the airfield.
