Russia Reports Loss of Su-34 Crew

Russia reports the death of pilots of a Su-34 twin-seat fighter-bomber.

The Fighterbomber telegram group reported that the dead pilots were on a Su-34 with the number “21”.

The aircraft could be shot down in combat. The Russians did not provide details on the battle, and it is likely that the fighter-bomber was hit by air defense systems.

“Zhenia and Volodia. Experienced, trained, combat crew. They died in battle, died like warriors,” the Fighterbomber telegram group wrote.

Another Russian source, Voevoda Veshchaet, added that the pilots were performing combat missions in an unnamed African country.

“They provided assistance in the training of personnel, in one of the African countries they also fought against local terrorism,” the Russians said.

It is known that the Su-34 with the number “21” previously performed combat missions in the Middle East in Syria.

In Syria, it was a part of the 47th Aviation Regiment of the 105th Guards Mixed Aviation Division of the 6th Air and Air Defence Forces Army.

The Dosye Shpiona Telegram group insisted that the fighter-bomber crashed due to engine failure in the Belgorod oblast.

In 2015, it was used to drop KAB-500S guided bombs from the Bassel al-Assad (Khmeimim) air base near Latakia.

This aircraft was built in 2012 at the JSC Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association Plant named after V.P. Chkalov. The Su-34 is designed to carry out precision missile and bomb strikes against enemy ground targets in operational and tactical depth, as well as to engage enemy air targets.

As previously reported, Russian military servicemen recently entered an airbase in the Republic of the Niger that is hosting U.S. troops, a move that follows a decision by Republic’s junta to expel U.S.’ forces.