Ukrainian F‑16 downs Russian Su‑34: First Western aerial victory

The information about the Su-34 being shot down is currently reported mainly by Russian sources, including Telegram accounts that have, until now, relayed information consistent with facts rather than Kremlin propaganda.

As reported by the Milmag service, the first to post this information on Telegram was former Russian military pilot Ilja Tumanow, who runs the Fighterbomber account. The brief post features a black-and-white photograph of the Su-34 with the caption, "The earth is the sky, brothers…".

Other, slightly later sources provide more details. According to the published information, the downed Su-34 was on a mission, dropping an FAB glide bomb with a UMPK module about 48 kilometres from the frontline. To increase the bomb's range, the Russian aircraft was said to have ascended to about 8,000 metres.

Despite being distanced from the opponent, the Russian aircraft was reportedly shot down by an F-16 operating over territory controlled by Ukraine. The two-person crew in the downed bomber was killed. Ukrainian sources have not yet commented on these reports.

Ukraine has so far received at least two batches of F-16A. The first, delivered between late July and early August 2024, consisted of 6-10 aircraft, of which at least one was lost. Although not officially confirmed, a Ukrainian F-16 was reportedly accidentally shot down by Ukrainian air defence.

The second batch of Western aircraft (the number remains unknown) arrived in Ukraine in early October from the Netherlands, which committed to delivering 24 aircraft in total.

The shot-down Su-34 is a bomber based on the Su-27 fighter. It is distinguished by its characteristic cockpit with two side-by-side seats and can carry the heaviest bombs used by the Russians during the war, such as the 3-tonne FAB 3000 with an UMPK module.