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Russian sources report the first downing of a Ukrainian F-16 against a Russian manned aircraft, a Su-34 bomber

Russian sources report the first downing of a Ukrainian F-16 against a Russian manned aircraft, a Su-34 bomber

On October 12, conflicting reports emerged about the loss of a Russian Su-34 fighter jet. Some sources claimed it was shot down by a Ukrainian F-16 jet. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported these claims but said it could not independently verify them.

“ISW cannot independently confirm the Telegram channel’s claim, but if confirmed, this incident would be the first Ukrainian downing of a Russian manned aircraft using a Western-supplied F-16 fighter jet.” wrote the think tank.

According to ISW, on October 12, a Russian miblogger closely associated with Russian aviation posted a tribute to a lost Su-34 aircraft without providing further details about the incident. A prominent Russian miblogger confirmed the death of the Su-34 crew, but claimed the loss was not related to Ukrainian activity.

In addition, a Russian Telegram channel purportedly managed by Russian airborne officers (VDV) and employees of the Russian Armed Forces Group “Dnepr” claimed that a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet was believed to have shot down the Russian Su-34. The channel stated that the incident occurred when the Su-34 dropped FAB glide bombs with unified planning and correction modules (UMPK) at a distance of about 50 kilometers from the front.

The same Telegram channel later addressed claims that the Su-34 may have crashed due to a technical malfunction or human error. It was noted that such scenarios would still highlight problems with wear and tear on Russian aircraft, pilot unprofessionalism and pilot fatigue.

The Telegram channel accused Kremlin-aligned Milbloggers of lying about the Su-34 crash and preventing Russian forces from developing plans to counter the Ukrainian F-16 threat. The channel claimed in March 2024 that Russian federal censor Roskomnadzor had filed a complaint against it for “discrediting” a Russian military commander.

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