Ukraine's spy boss details how naval drones took down two Su-30 jets
Photo: Head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) Kyrylo Budanov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian military shot down two Russian Su-30s in the Black Sea. Head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) Kyrylo Budanov gave details, calling the downing a historical moment, reports The War Zone.
Ukrainian intelligence forces shot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker multirole fighter jets using AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles.
This marks the first time fighter jets have been shot down by unmanned sea drones, and the first recorded use of the AIM-9 missile launched from a sea drone to destroy an enemy aircraft.
“It's a historical moment,” said Kyrylo Budanov, speaking to reporters.
Details on the Su-30 shootdowns
The incident occurred over the Black Sea on Friday, May 2, according to Budanov, who provided new details.
He stated that Ukrainian military intelligence deployed three Magura V7 unmanned sea drones in the attack, with two of them firing at the jets.
“Magura V7 is an air defense version of the Magura V5,” Budanov explained, refusing to disclose the specific differences between the two models.
He also reported that the crew of the first Su-30 survived and was picked up by a civilian vessel in the Black Sea. Preliminary reports suggest the crew of the second jet was killed.
About AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range, air-to-air missile developed by the American company Raytheon in the mid-1950s. It entered service in 1956.
The missile has undergone numerous upgrades and remains in production today. Most versions of the AIM-9 are equipped with infrared homing systems.
Since 1955, over 200,000 units have been produced, making the AIM-9 one of the most widely used air-to-air missiles in history. It has shot down 270 aircraft — more than any other air-to-air missile.
The AIM-9 has been adopted by the armed forces of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and many other nations. Over 50 countries have operated the missile at various times.
Su-30 shootdowns in the Black Sea
On May 3, it was reported that Ukrainian intelligence forces destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near Novorossiysk using a Magura V5 sea drone the previous day. It was the first incident of its kind in the world.
Later on May 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces had shot down a Russian military aircraft using a sea drone and destroyed another aircraft with strikes on occupied Crimea.
Since February 24, 2022, Ukrainian forces have shot down a total of 372 aircraft, including the two Su-30s mentioned.
