In a striking development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, one of Russia’s advanced fighter jets, the Sukhoi Su-30SM, was reportedly shot down over the Black Sea. This incident, confirmed by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (DIU), has sparked significant interest, especially with a video that appears to show the dramatic moment of the jet’s destruction.
The Ukrainian DIU has stated that its forces successfully used a man-portable air defense system (MANPAD) to intercept the warplane, which is valued at around $50 million. The Su-30SM was reportedly part of the 43rd Separate Naval Aviation Regiment, operating from the Saky airfield in Crimea, a region currently under Russian occupation. According to the DIU, the aircraft vanished from radar around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, prompting a comprehensive search and rescue operation involving An-26 aircraft along with Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters.
A DIU statement mentioned, “The invading forces reported a visible slick of aviation fuel approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Cape Tarkhankut, followed by the discovery of the wreckage of the downed Su-30SM.” This revelation has intensified the ongoing discourse about the conflict’s impact on military resources and strategies.
Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
Footage captured in the aerial surveillance shows the aircraft soaring across the sky before abruptly transitioning to an explosion, eliciting strong reactions on social media platforms. An X user under the handle C4H10FO2P shared, “Destruction of Su-30SM jet by a MANPADS missile from GUR boat in the Black Sea near Crimea-2 drilling rig,” alongside a brief 53-second video clip.
Another user, OSINTtechnical, noted, “Ukrainian special forces successfully shot down a Russian Naval Aviation Su-30SM multirole fighter while raiding a Black Sea oil platform Tuesday. It appears one Ukrainian MANPADS team scored a hit on the Russian fighter with assistance from a circling Ukrainian drone.” As discussions circulated, Rod Francis, another X user remarked, “Another huge loss for the Russian Air Force as an Su-30SM fighter jet went down near Crimea. It’s one of Russia’s finest aircraft and a severe financial loss at $50 million for Putin. Tough break!”
Prior to this, Russian-language channels had reported on the disappearance of the aircraft, which, according to the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, had launched four Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles directed at mainland Ukraine during its mission. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its forces had countered Ukraine’s attempts to reclaim the Krym-2 drilling rig in the Black Sea, although it remains unclear if these incidents are linked.
This incident adds to a series of recent aviation-related mishaps involving Russian military assets. Just last month, an Mi-8 helicopter with approximately 20 personnel aboard went missing. In another incident in June, a Russian Su-34 warplane crashed during a training flight in North Ossetia-Alania, resulting in the death of its crew.