It is estimated that the Russian Air Force has likely lost at least 100 fixed-wing combat planes.
The sheer number of military equipment lost over the last three-plus years of Russia’s Ukraine invasion is staggering. While precise figures are difficult to verify due to the nature of the ongoing war, open-source intelligence trackers continue to provide insightful analyses of weapon loss in the conflict. From main battle tanks (MBTs) and airframes to munitions and infantry fighting vehicles, both sides of the war have not been immune to heavy stockpile losses. When it comes to destroyed aircraft, it is estimated that the Russian Air Force has likely lost at least 100 fixed-wing combat planes. Ukrainian sources claim this number is actually much higher. Throughout the war, Russia has relied heavily on its fleets of Su-35s, MiG-25s, and Su-27s to carry out its offensive operations.
Su-35s
Russia’s aerial fleet of “4.5” generation Su-35s has perhaps been the most heavily involved aircraft flown in the war. Nicknamed the Super Flanker by NATO, this twin-engine, supermaneuverable jet designed by Sukhoi remains one of Moscow’s more formidable platforms. The Su-35 is powered by a pair of Sturn/UFA AL-31F 117S turbofan engines that enable the fighter to fly at speeds reaching roughly 2,390 km/h (Mach 2.25). In addition to its speed, the Russian jet has a notable air-to-ground capability. Featuring twelve hardpoints capable of lugging external weapons and stores, the Super Flanker can pack a punch.
MiG-35
Although the Kremlin likes to tout that its MiG-35 Fulcrum-F jet is a “fifth-generation” platform, this platform has struggled to live up to expectations in the Ukraine war. The Russian jet was designed to feature enhanced radar and pack a punch, but the F-35 Lightning II counterpart certainly falls short of its American near-peer in terms of engine power and stealth. Equipped with nine hardpoints, the Russian fighter can carry a combination of Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, Kh-31A anti-ship missiles, KAB-500Kr TV-guided bombs, and the Kh-29TE missiles. Power-wise, the jet’s FADEC RD-33MK engines are more durable than their Kimov RD-33 successors but still are lacking when compared to the Lightning II’s Pratt & Whitney F135.
Su-27
The Soviet-era Su-27 may be one of the oldest fighter platforms flown by Russian forces in Ukraine, but the Sukhoi-designed jet is perhaps the most tried and trusted out of Moscow’s fleet. Powered by two AL-31F turbofan engines and equipped with advanced avionics, the NATO-designated Flanker can fly at speeds in excess of Mach 2.35 and hosts a sophisticated fly-by-wire control system. According to Russian state-run news outlets, Moscow has only lost two Flankers so far in the ongoing war. Alternatively, Ukraine has reportedly lost sixteen of its acquired Su-27 jets in the conflict.
Su-57
Shockingly, Moscow’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter series has not played a particularly large role in the Ukrainian war to date. Despite its top-notch capabilities, as purported by Kremlin officials, the Russian jet has not had as much airtime as its Soviet-era predecessors. Last summer, one Su-57 was reportedly damaged following a drone raid carried out by Ukrainian forces. Perhaps this platform is more vulnerable to Kyiv’s weapons arsenal than Moscow would like to proclaim.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: Shutterstock.
