Soldiers of a special unit of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine destroyed a Russian Su-30SM multi-role fighter jet by a hit from a MANPADS.

This happened during an operation in the Black Sea, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine’s press service reported.

The invaders lost contact with their combat aircraft on September 11, 2024, at about 5 am.

It is noted that the Su-30SM fighter jet belonged to the 43rd Separate Naval Aviation Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces, based at the airfield of Saky in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Approximately three hours after the downing of the enemy aircraft, the Russians launched a search and rescue operation involving an An-26 aircraft and Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters.

“In the afternoon, the invaders reported to the command about a characteristic spot of aviation fuel found in the sea, 70 kilometers northwest of Cape Tarkhankut, and soon saw the wreckage of the destroyed Su-30SM,” the DIU said.

It is worth noting that the day prior, the Monitor group analysts reported the “disappearance” of a Russian warplane over the Black Sea in a Telegram channel that tracks Russian aviation activities.

On the night of September 11, the Russians launched a large-scale missile and drone strike against Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russians hit, in particular, Zmiyiniy Island with six Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles from the airspace over the Black Sea.

Such missiles are used against radars as part of anti-aircraft missile systems and can also target other sources of radio radiation.

Despite the loss of Su-30s in the war with Ukraine, Russia continues to manufacture aircraft of this type at its own facilities.

In August, the Russian Defense Ministry received a batch of new Su-30SM2 multi-role fighter jets.