On December 5, 2023, a russian Naval Aviation Su-24M FENCER D fighter bomber was highly likely shot down by to a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile over the north-western Black Sea in the vicinity of Ukraine’s Snake Island, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Since summer 2023, russia has continued to conduct high-risk, crewed strike missions against the island. This is likely mainly for messaging reasons because the island has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and russia wants to demonstrate it can project force across the Black Sea.
Read more: The "Sad Fate" of russian Warship Also Befell the Su-24M, It Was Destroyed by Ukrainian Military Near Zmiinyi Island
The two-man crew was likely lost: the location and operational conditions would make a successful russian search and rescue mission extremely challenging. Both sides still suffer regular combat aircraft losses. Overall, air defenses continue to severely limit the effectiveness of tactical air operations.
Read more: How Many Fighter Jets and Helicopters does russia Have at its Disposal?
