Russia has just added another batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers, also known as “Fullbacks,” to its tactical aviation fleet. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)—part of the Rostec State Corporation—announced the delivery of these warplanes as part of the 2025 State Defense Order. After completing a rigorous series of factory tests across multiple flight modes, these bombers were flown to their deployment airbases.
This marks the third Su-34 delivery of 2025, following earlier batches in April (delivered around April 19) and July 10, reinforcing Moscow’s commitment to ramping up frontline aviation capabilities.
The Su-34 stands out as a formidable multirole jet—capable of striking ground, sea, and air targets, even in heavily defended zones. It can operate across vast distances, in diverse weather conditions, and under high-threat electronic environments. Thanks to its design, the Fullback combines precision strike capabilities with long endurance and advanced avionics, including side-by-side seating for two crew members.
Cracks in the Fleet: Losses & Crashes
Despite bolstered production, the Su-34 fleet is showing signs of strain. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the open-source intelligence group Oryx reports that Russia has lost at least 37 Su-34s and one Su-34M—confirmed visually on both battlefield and airstrip.
Accidents continue to crop up on the home front, too. On July 1, 2025, a Su-34 crashed during a training exercise in the Nizhny Novgorod region due to a suspected landing gear failure. Thankfully, both pilots ejected and landed safely, with no ground casualties reported.
Moreover, on June 27, a drone strike by Ukraine’s SBU hit the Marinovka air base in Volgograd Oblast. Satellite imagery and Ukrainian claims indicate that two Su-34s were destroyed and two others damaged, further thinning Russia’s aerial strike force.
Why It Matters
Even with stepped-up production rates—Russia reportedly pushes out nearly 30 Su-34s per year from its Novosibirsk plant—the pace of losses outpaces replacements. Analysts warn this trend creates an “attrition problem” for Russia’s tactical bomber fleet. The aircraft’s frequent role in low-altitude strikes makes them vulnerable to enemy air defenses and drone attacks, even while on the ground
