Two Ukrainian Air Force officers, pilot Bohdan Hryhorovytsj Zaharulko and navigator Bohdan Oleksandrovytsj Babenko, died Tuesday when their Sukhoi Su-24 bomber crashed in the Khmelnytskyj region. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the fatalities, stating the aircraft belonged to the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade stationed at the Starokostiantyniv air base. Ukrainian authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
What is the operational status of the Su-24 fleet?
The Su-24, a Soviet-era supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft, remains a primary component of Ukraine’s tactical aviation despite its age. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited between 100 and 200 of these bombers. According to the Kyiv Independent, the fleet has dwindled over the decades due to combat losses and chronic shortages of spare parts. While Ukraine has shifted toward Western-supplied weaponry, the Sukhoi and MiG platforms still perform essential strike missions against Russian forces.
The Su-24, known by the NATO reporting name “Fencer,” was designed during the Cold War specifically for low-altitude, high-speed penetration of enemy territory.
How do current loss rates compare between Ukraine and Russia?
Data provided by the open-source intelligence blog Oryx indicates that both sides in the conflict continue to lose Su-24 airframes. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Oryx has visually confirmed the destruction of at least 21 Ukrainian Su-24s. In contrast, the same source reports that Russia has lost at least 15 aircraft of the same type. These figures rely on photographic evidence and strict verification protocols, though they likely represent a minimum baseline for total losses rather than a complete tally.
Why is the maintenance of legacy aircraft a challenge?
Maintaining Soviet-designed aircraft like the Su-24 presents significant logistical hurdles for the Ukrainian military. Because the supply chain for original spare parts is largely centered in Russia, Ukraine must rely on cannibalizing existing airframes or sourcing vintage components from third-party nations. The Kyiv Post notes that as these aircraft age, the risk of mechanical failure increases, adding a layer of danger to every flight mission beyond the threat of enemy air defenses.
Pro Tip: Tracking Military Hardware
For those interested in military aviation data, sites like Oryx provide the most reliable open-source tracking by requiring visual documentation—such as geolocated photos or videos—before adding a vehicle to their loss lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where was the Su-24 based? The aircraft was part of the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade based at the Starokostiantyniv airfield in central Ukraine.
- What caused the crash? The incident is currently under official investigation by the Ukrainian government; no cause has been released to the public.
- Are there still Su-24s in service? Yes, the Su-24 remains a key part of the Ukrainian Air Force’s tactical strike capabilities alongside other Soviet-era platforms.
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