Video reveals Russian Air Force’s defeat in Ukraine.

Dark Day for the Russian Air Force – Four Aircraft Lost in Single Day

On Saturday, the Russian Air Force suffered its worst day in decades, losing four aircraft in a single day. According to reports and videos on social media, two Mi-8 transport helicopters, a Su-34 fighter/bomber, and a Su-35 air superiority fighter were shot down over the Bryansk region of Western Russia by air-to-air or surface-to-air missiles launched from within Ukraine. The pilots and aircrew of all four aircraft were reportedly killed.

Losses of Russian Aircraft to Date

The losses of Russian aircraft have been significantly smaller in number than that of tanks and other ground vehicles. However, as of March, the Kremlin’s forces had lost more aircraft than Ukraine – with Russia’s losses exceeding 70 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, compared to an estimated 60 from Ukraine, according to the top U.S. Air Force commander in Europe.

• Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and NATO’s Allied Air Command, said on March 6 during the AFA Warfare Symposium, Air & Space Magazine had reported.
• “[Russia has] downed over 60 Ukrainian aircraft,” Hecker added. “Ukraine’s downed over 70 Russian aircraft. So both of their integrated air and missile defense, especially when you’re talking about going against aircraft, they’ve been very effective. And that’s why they’re not flying over one another’s country.”

The Kremlin has also seen a number of its aircraft come under attack on the ground within Russia – targeted by Ukrainian drones, while earlier this month, anti-Putin resistance forces reportedly attempted to sabotage an Su-24 supersonic bomber that was located at the Sukhoi aircraft factory at Novosibirsk, located 1,800 miles east of Ukraine in Siberia.

Author Experience and Expertise

Peter Suciu, a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, is a Michigan-based writer with over 20 years of experience in journalism. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites, with over 3,200 published pieces. Peter regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. He is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. Follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.

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