Latest news with #Su-30SM
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
NATO jets scramble three times to intercept Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea
Fighter jets conducting NATO's air policing mission in the Baltic states scrambled three times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft violating flight regulations. Source: Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda Details: The ministry reported that NATO air policing jets were scrambled on 3 June to identify two Su-30SM aircraft. The same day, NATO jets also took off to identify a Su-33 fighter jet and a Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft flying in international airspace from mainland Russia. On 4 June, NATO fighters were again scrambled to identify two Su-30SM jets flying in international airspace from and later returning to Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast. All of the mentioned Russian aircraft were flying without flight plans and without radio contact with the regional area control centre (RFC). Tensions in the Baltic Sea area remain high due to instances of illegal reconnaissance and suspected sabotage activities. Background: In one week alone in May, NATO jets stationed in the Baltic states were scrambled four times to identify and escort Russian aircraft violating flight rules. At that time, it was also reported that Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber over the Baltic Sea in international airspace. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia may expand strategic bomber fleet, analysts warn
Russia has invested heavily in the repair of Tu-95MS strategic bombers, indicating plans to use these Soviet-era aircraft for many years. Source: the private intelligence company Dallas, writes UNIAN Ukrainian news agency Details: In March, the Russian Ministry of Defence approved and funded the overhaul of six Tu-95MS strategic bombers. According to available documents, a contract worth more than US$270 million was signed with the 360th Aviation Repair Plant in Ryazan (Russia) and the Beriev Aviation Scientific Technical Complex in Taganrog (Russia). Given the number of aircraft, the overhaul of one Tu-95MS could cost Russia more than US$45 million. "Meanwhile, at the Kazan Aviation Plant named for S.P. Gorbunov – the main production hub for Tupolev aircraft – the backlog includes seven new-build and repair orders for Tu-160 supersonic bombers, along with two Tu-22M upgrades… Among these aircrafts, four Tu-160s are already deep in modernisation, with completion slated by 2026," said Dallas analysts. "Compiling these initiatives, Russia's strategic bomber fleet could grow by nearly two dozen serviceable aircraft within the next few years, boosting its salvo capacity to over 100 long-range missiles. Such an arsenal poses a significant threat even to nations boasting advanced air-defense systems," Dallas experts emphasised. Background: It was previously reported that Kazakhstani specialists maintain Russian Su-30SM fighters using French equipment from Thales and Safran, despite sanctions. The Kazakh company Analyst Research Consulting (ARC) Group is collaborating with Russian forces and servicing Su-30SM aircraft, which are equipped with French aviation technology from Thales and Safran. As of 2024, Russia has up to 130 modernised Su-30SM fighters. During the war, Russian forces have lost at least 15 such aircraft. It was also reported that China has made thousands of deliveries to Russian companies, including sanctioned ones, which produce rocket launchers, armoured vehicles and strategic bombers. Additionally, Russia has proposed opening US airspace to its airlines as part of a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, facing resistance from the EU. The EU remains uninterested in lifting air sanctions on Russia, and without European cooperation, Russian carriers would struggle to operate flights to the United States. European Pravda reported that Russian civil aviation, a key sector of the Russian economy, has been significantly impacted by unprecedented sanctions, including airspace closures, embargoes on spare parts and refusals to service Western-made aircraft. A notable example is the Sukhoi Superjet 100, which, due to a lack of Western spare parts, faces potential decommissioning. "The pride of Russian aviation" has become hazardous post-sanctions: the number of incidents doubled in two years. On 30 November 2024, five accidents occurred in a single day, leading to the aircraft being dubbed "winged horror". It was also reported that Russian airlines, under the pressure of Western sanctions, have begun losing aircraft. From late October 2023 to 26 June 2024, the number of airliners in the fleets of Russia's 13 largest carriers decreased by 3%, to 693 aircraft. Contrary to predictions, the complete collapse of Russian civil aviation has been averted due to substantial state subsidies. As reported in late December 2023, the Kremlin had allocated RUB 12 billion [US$120 million] to support the industry since February 2022 – twice the amount provided during the pandemic. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Moment Ukraine takes out Russian fighter jet with sea drone in world first
A Ukrainian marine drone carrying air-to-air missiles shot down a Russian fighter jet last week in what was described by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Chief as a 'historic moment'. A member of Ukraine's special forces was guiding the Magura V7 sea vehicle in Black Sea waters close to the Russian port town of Novorossiysk on May 2 when it registered a Russian aircraft streaking overhead. Stunning heads-up display footage released by Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency showed the moment the drone unleashed a US-supplied AIM-9 sidewinder infrared guided missile and scored a direct hit on the jet - a Su-30SM multirole fighter. It is believed to be the first time in history that a seaborne military drone has scored a kill on a fixed-wing fighter aircraft. The hitherto unrealised feat was repeated minutes later when a second Magura drone scored a kill on another Su-30. The Magura V7 marine drone is based on the same platform as the Magura V5, which has been used to great effect by Ukraine's armed forces to terrorise Russia 's Black Sea naval fleet, but has been modified for air defence missions. Each drone is reported to cost just over £200,000 - a paltry sum in comparison to the cost per unit of the advanced supermanoeuvrable Su-30SM, which comes in at roughly £37 million. The crew of the first Su-30SM managed to eject and were plucked from the murky waters of the Black Sea by a Russian civilian ship, according to Budanov and Russian military bloggers. The crew of the second jet were not so lucky and went down with their plane, Ukrainian officials said. Stunning heads-up display footage released by Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency showed the moment the drone unleashed a US-supplied AIM-9 sidewinder infrared guided missiles and scored a direct hit on the jet Hours after the shootdowns, the GUR released a triumphant statement commemorating the successful air defence mission. 'On May 2, 2025, the special unit of the GUR of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, in cooperation with the SBU and the Defence Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a Russian Su-30 in the Black Sea – this is the first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone in the world. 'The historic strike was carried out by soldiers of the special forces unit of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry Group 13 with a Magura unmanned maritime platform missile,' the statement read. 'The fighter plane of the aggressor state of Russia, which has an estimated cost of about $50 million, burst into flames in the air and eventually fell into the sea – to the bottom, and into the possession of ruthless Neptune.' Russia's defence ministry did not respond to the incident but a slew of prominent Russian military blogging channels appeared to verify the Ukrainian claims. The downing of the Su-30s came on the night of May 2 as part of a wider assault on Novorossiysk, whose mayor declared a state of emergency on Saturday. While the Magura drones shot down Russian aircraft, airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) battered the port city. Andrei Kravchenko announced his decision on his official Telegram account which showed him inspecting the damage to apartment buildings and giving orders to officials. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv on the attack, but Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched its own attacks on Ukrainian positions overnight with some 183 drones and two ballistic missiles. Astonishing footage, filmed by a GoPro camera, shows the Russian crew of the Caesar Kunikov large landing ship fighting its last battle with Ukrainian marine drones off the coast of Crimea The Caesar Kunikov explodes after being hit by Magura seaborne drones The efficacy of the Magura sea drone as an air defence platform is the latest display of military innovation springing from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In February 2024, the Magura V5 variant was used to sink a Russian ship in the Black Sea. A GoPro video, taken by sailors aboard the doomed Caesar Kunikov, showed in shocking detail how the navy men desperately tried to fight off the oncoming drones in an intense 20-minute sea battle before their vessel was destroyed in a fiery explosion. The hellish, chaotic scene saw a small group of seamen unloading their weapons into the murky water. Explosions rang out around them as the drones one by one slammed into the ship's hull and lit up the night sky. The ship powerless to defend against a flotilla of the high-speed, high-explosive and cheap Magura V5 drones controlled by operators hundreds of miles away.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
CHRIS HUGHES: Putin general's assassination reveals chilling covert ops against Kremlin
The killing of Russian Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik today came in the wake of a string of covert operations missions serving Ukraine's military aims. Just days ago a Russian Su-30SM fighter bomber was blown up 700 miles deep inside the border from Ukraine- massively exposing Moscow's security apparatus. Both major hits represent a huge undermining of Putin's defence security and seriously undermine any thought that Russia's internal intelligence network is fit for purpose. Strategically the loss of such a military figure and any major military warfare equipment such as a bomber whittles down Moscow's capability, which is already significantly depleted. But this latest killing in a Moscow suburb is huge for other and perhaps more hamrful reasons - it has sent shock waves through Russia's hierarchy and will foment paranoia, diverting from the war effort. This seriously eats away at confidence in Putin's regime. It is likely whoever planted the bomb will have been paid for the operation, hired at arm's length by anti-Putin groups, possibly working on behalf of Ukraine. The manhunt will be huge so this is a high-risk assasination as it is also likely a person will have had to physically witness the bombing to report back. Only in December Kremlin nuclear and chemical warfare chief Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was blasted to death by a bomb placed in an innocent-looking scooter outside his Moscow home. So far nobody has claimed responsibility for today's assasination but Moskalik was a senior officer within the strategy unit of the Russian armed forces. This will force others like him to watch their backs, be on high-alert and nervous, undermining their confidence and ability to move at will even in their own city. Psychologically the effect will be devastating - if Putin cannot keep them safe far from the front line then questions will be asked. It appears the Volkswagen containing the bomb blew up as he walked past near his home so, again, at least one person involved in the plot may have been there as no timer was used. There is also a possibility it was detonated remotely using a phone signal if a live camera had been placed near the Volkswagen but we may not know for some time. It is possible nobody will claim the bombing, even if Ukraine did directly arrange it because the mystery further undermines Putin's apparatus. Perhaps it will benefit Kyiv to let people think there is a growing anti-Putin movement in Russia, which does also seem to be the case. It is possible some of these operations are carried out by Ukrainians but more likely they are done by disenchanted Russians or Russian speakers, trained and hired for this purpose. They could have been trained outside Russia or Ukraine, ammunition and explosives caches hidden months before in preparation for a major mission. It is also possible it was a joint operation conducted by Ukraine and special forces or intelligence operators working for outside countries allied to Ukraine. No matter how arm's length it was - the finger of suspicion will be directed towards Kyiv - but it comes in the wake of three years of atrocities against Ukrainian civilians. Hours before today's Moscow blast Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate reported the blowing up of a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet following what it described as a 'successful sabotage operation.' The agency showed on Telegram the jet burning in the distance, accompanied by the message: 'An enemy Su-30SM fighter jet was destroyed in Russia - resistance to Putinism is growing.' It was claimed the sabotage incident occurred at the Rostov-on-Don Central airfield, 700 miles from Ukraine, where the aircraft caught fire and burned down. According to the intelligence agency, saboteurs successfully infiltrated the site and destroyed the plane. In mid-December 2024, Ukrainian intelligence carried out a successful sabotage operation in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, a region in the North Caucasus bordering the Black and Azov Seas. That mission resulted in the destroying of an Su -30 fighter and blowing up of three locomotives, another of many major sabotage missions by Ukrainian special operations units. All of this is a blow to Putin's security and image as the big strongman protector of the motherland.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Su-30SM fighter jet destroyed in Russia's Rostov-on-Don, reports Ukraine's intelligence
A Russian Su-30SM multirole fighter jet with tail number 35 has caught fire and burnt out at the Rostov-on-Don Central airfield. Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) Details: The estimated cost of the destroyed aircraft is US$50 million. Quote: "The scale of forces ready to resist the Kremlin and carry out acts of demilitarisation against the aggressor state is growing! Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reminds everyone – every war crime committed against the Ukrainian people will be justly punished." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
