During a recent operation in the Black Sea, Ukrainian forces from the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine successfully destroyed russian Su-30SM fighter jet using a man-portable air-defense system. The fighter belonged to the 43rd Separate Naval Aviation Regiment of the russian Aerospace Forces, stationed at the airfield in Saky, Crimea, which is currently under russian occupation.
The attack took place on September 11, 2024, at around 5 am, when russian forces lost contact with the aircraft. Approximately three hours later, a search and rescue operation was launched by russian forces, deploying the An-26 aircraft, along with Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters. By midday, russian rescuers discovered an oil slick from aviation fuel and debris from downed Su-30SM, about 70 kilometers northwest of the Tarkhankut Cape.
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The Su-30SM, an advanced multi-role fighter jet, is estimated to be worth around $50 million. Its destruction represents a significant loss for the russian military in the ongoing war.
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