The Ukrainian Navy reported that Russian forces likely lost a Su-30SM fighter jet during a mission southeast of Snake Island over the Black Sea.
According to the Navy’s Telegram channel, Ukrainian intelligence intercepted Russian radio communications reporting a loss of contact with a fighter aircraft. Debris was later observed on the sea surface.
Russian military-linked channels later reported that the jet was either shot down or crashed due to technical issues, with both pilots reportedly killed.
“A Su-30SM from the naval aviation of the Black Sea Fleet was lost near Snake Island. The rescue operation to locate the crew was unsuccessful,” Telegram channel Military Informant reported.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet confirmed the aircraft’s loss or the pilots’ deaths.
The Su-30SM, produced by Irkut Corporation, is a twin-engine multirole fighter operated by both Russia’s Aerospace Forces and the Navy’s Black Sea Fleet. It carries out patrol, escort, and strike missions in the Black Sea region.
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has lost 13 Su-30SM jets, according to open-source intelligence group Oryx. Each jet is valued at approximately $50 million.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Security Service carried out a drone strike on Russia’s Saky airfield in occupied Crimea, destroying one Su-30SM fighter and damaging another. The attack also hit three Su-24 bombers.
