Fighters from the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reportedly have destroyed a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet in the Black Sea using Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS), though the specific system was not disclosed.
“Peak to the depths – intelligence scouts in the Black Sea destroyed the Russian Su-30SM,” reads the caption of a video published by the HUR. Kyiv Post could not independently verify the time and location of the footage.
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According to HUR, the downed jet belonged to the 43rd Separate Naval Aviation Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces, stationed at the Saki airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea.
The report claims Russian forces lost contact with the fighter around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. A search and rescue mission began approximately three hours later, involving an An-26 aircraft and Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters.
“By noon, the invaders reported spotting an aviation fuel slick 70 km [44 miles] northwest of Cape Tarkhankut,” said the HUR. “Shortly after, they found the wreckage of the destroyed Su-30SM.”
The cost of the Su-30SM fighter is estimated at $50 million, according to the intelligence agency.
The Crimean Wind monitoring group reported on Wednesday that the Su-30SM had crashed into the Black Sea. According to its report, the jet, along with a Su-35, launched Kh-31P missiles over mainland Ukraine early on Sept. 11. The Su-30SM fired four out of six available missiles before disappearing from radar.
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Later that morning, Russian helicopters found an oil slick about 3 km (2 miles) wide and pieces of the jet, including a wing, but were unable to retrieve any wreckage.
“It’s hard to say what happened. Maybe an F-16 attacked, or the Russian jet self-destructed in the Black Sea,” Crimean Wind initially speculated.
Later, the monitoring group reported that the Su-30SM had been shot down by a Ukrainian boat using MANPADS.
Crimean Wind also revealed that there were two Russian aircrew on board the Su-30SM, both with the rank of captain: pilot E.V. Stepanyshin and navigator D.O. Fomin. They were part of the 1st Aviation Squadron of the 43rd Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment (military unit 59882, Saki).
The Su-30SM has been repeatedly used by Russian forces to carry out bombings in Ukraine, often targeting civilian infrastructure.
The Su-30SM (NATO: “Flanker-H”), known as the “Serial Modernized” version, is a specialized 4+ generation fighter developed by the Irkut Corporation for the Russian Aerospace Forces. According to open sources, it features thrust-vectoring technology and advanced phased-array radar and avionics systems. The jet can carry up to 8,000 kg (17,637 pounds) of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and is equipped with a 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon.
Designed for both air superiority and ground attack missions, the Su-30SM has in-flight refueling capabilities, allowing it to operate far from its base. It also features electronic warfare capabilities, with SAP-518 electronic warfare pods that help protect it from air and surface-based missile systems by jamming its oponent’s radar and creating false targets.
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