XPost: sci.military.naval, soc.history.war.misc

Reports claim an Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian Su-34
By Boyko Nikolov On Oct 12, 2024
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Reports emerging today from various sources, still unverified, suggest
that a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian Su-34. The X account
@front_ukrainian made this claim by sharing a screenshot of a Telegram conversation.


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Cutting steel for HMS Formidable marks expansion of the Royal Navy Simultaneously, the Telegram account Fighterbomber posted a
black-and-white photo of the Su-34 with the caption “Earth and sky, brothers…”. There has been no official statement from the Russian
Ministry of Defense, nor from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense at this
time. BulgarianMilitary.com cannot confirm the claims from an
independent source.

Ukraine operates F-16s in the Block 20, upgraded to meet NATO standards.
These fighter jets are equipped with new avionics compatible with modern Western systems, and advanced radar that provides greater range for
detecting and identifying targets. Notable features include Pratt &
Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, offering excellent maneuverability and high
speed. Ukraine’s F-16 Block 20s are capable of firing a variety of
missiles, including the AMRAAM and Sidewinder, making them versatile in
aerial combat across different ranges.

Reports claim an Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian Su-34
Photo credit: Telegram
Regarding Ukraine’s air-to-air missiles, they include the AIM-120 AMRAAM [Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile]—a modern missile with an
active radar guidance system that can engage targets at medium to long
ranges. In addition to the AMRAAM, Ukrainian F-16s can fire the AIM-9 Sidewinder, an older but effective infrared-guided missile used in
close-range air combat. These missiles are part of a broader integration
with Western military technology and NATO-compatible systems.

The Russian Su-34, on the other hand, is a multi-role fighter-bomber
with strong air and ground strike capabilities. With two engines and a
top speed of Mach 1.9, it is fast enough to evade enemy missile attacks.
The Su-34 has an optical-electronic surveillance system, allowing for
precise strikes in all weather conditions. This fighter can also carry a
wide range of weapons, including air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles
like the X-29, X-31, and P-73, making it effective for both military and strategic missions.

Recently, Ukraine officially confirmed the downing of one of its F-16s
in eastern Ukraine. The plane crashed during a combat mission near the
front line, sparking speculation about the cause of the accident.
Preliminary reports suggest it may have been due to a technical failure
or a failed missile launch. The investigation into the incident is
ongoing, with Ukrainian authorities emphasizing that the crash was not
the result of hostile action, such as an attack by ground forces or an airstrike. However, there is ongoing debate as to whether the aircraft
was shot down by an enemy missile, though there is currently no
definitive evidence to confirm this.

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia stated that its border facility was
attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian fighters. However, Ukraine quickly dismissed these allegations, labeling
them as ‘false flags’.

In a notable move on the same day, Russia announced it officially
recognized the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Interestingly,
according to Russian President Putin, this recognition covered all the Ukrainian regions. Following this declaration, Putin sent a battalion of Russia’s military forces, tanks included, into these areas.

Singapore decided to acquire 54 of the US AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs
Photo credit: USAF
Fast forward to February 24, 2022, global headlines were dominated by a significant incident. Putin commanded a forceful military assault on
Ukraine. Led by Russia’s impressive Armed Forces positioned at the
Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous but a premeditated
action. Despite the circumstances resembling a war, the Russian
government refrains from using this term. They’d rather refer to it as a “special military operation”.

***

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