British intelligence updates on Russian losses: Number of aircraft destroyed in war against Ukraine
Illustrative photo: British intelligence updates Russian aviation losses (GettyImages)
Russia has lost at least 135 military aircraft as a result of the war in Ukraine, including over 30 Su-34 fighter-bombers, according to a statement from the UK Ministry of Defence.
According to an updated report from British intelligence as of July 1, Russian aviation suffered new losses during a Ukrainian drone attack on June 27. The strike targeted the Marinovka airfield in the Volgograd region. Preliminary assessments indicate that two Su-34 fighter-bombers were almost certainly destroyed there, while two more aircraft were likely damaged or put out of action — information is being clarified.
It is noted that Marinovka is located approximately 270 km from the Ukrainian border and 440 km from the front line. Russia uses this airfield as a reserve base for aircraft relocated from bases under threat of strikes, for example, from Morozovsk after drone attacks in August 2024. However, despite dispersal, Russian aviation remains vulnerable to attacks.
During the same weekend, Ukrainian drones also attacked helicopter infrastructure at the Kirovske airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as destroyed an ammunition depot in Russia’s Bryansk region.
British intelligence notes that Su-34 (FULLBACK) fighter-bombers are actively used by Russia for daily airstrikes on Ukrainian positions employing glide bombs.
Operation Spiderweb: Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck Russian aviation
On June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine launched a large-scale operation called Spiderweb, aimed at targeting Russian aviation.
Later, SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk reported that over 40 Russian strategic aviation aircraft were hit as a result of these strikes. Subsequently, the Ukrainian side announced that 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers had been damaged.
