A Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber has reportedly crashed beneath mysterious circumstances, in keeping with Russian pilot Ilya Tumanov, who shared the information on his Telegram channel Fighterbomber on Saturday, October 12.
Tumanov confirmed that the crew of the plane didn’t survive the crash.
“Relaxation in peace, brothers,” he wrote, posting {a photograph} of the downed plane.
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As of now, no official particulars relating to the reason for the crash have been made public, leaving room for hypothesis. Russian authorities have but to launch an official assertion.
Nonetheless, one other Russian Telegram channel, VDV for Honesty and Justice, which is linked to Russia’s armed forces, claimed that the Su-34 was shot down by a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet. The channel suggests the incident occurred whereas the Russian plane was conducting a bombing run roughly 50 kilometers from the frontline in Ukraine.
There was no official affirmation from both Russian or Ukrainian authorities relating to the downing of the plane, and the small print surrounding the crash stay unclear.
The Su-34 is one among Russia’s most superior fighter-bombers, able to delivering precision strikes over lengthy distances. Its involvement in Russia’s air marketing campaign in Ukraine has made it a key asset for the Russian army, however this incident raises additional questions on its vulnerabilities within the contested airspace close to the battle zone.