Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has published data on the number of Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers, their production rates and the vulnerabilities of Russia's aircraft fleet.
Source : Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)
Quote : "As of 22 October 2026, the Russian Aerospace Forces had approximately 140 Su-34 fighter-bombers of various modifications in service, including upgraded Su-34 M (Su-34 NVO) aircraft."
Details : According to DIU, Russia has lost 43 Su-34 aircraft destroyed since the start of the full-scale invasion, while another seven have been damaged. Su-34 fighter-bombers that Russia claims were delivered to its Aerospace Forces in October
DIU noted that these losses are significant for Russia's military air fleet, as replacing the aircraft requires a lengthy production cycle, substantial financial resources and specialised industrial cooperation.
"By way of a comparison, the number of Su-34 s destroyed is equivalent to approximately 2½-3 years of production based on an estimated capacity of 14-18 aircraft per year," the intelligence agency explained.
DIU said Su-34 fighter-bombers were one of the key components of Russia's strike aviation in its war against Ukraine. Their use as carriers of guided aerial bombs has enabled the Russian military to expand its ability to strike ground targets, particularly in areas of active hostilities and frontline settlements.
"Despite significant combat losses, Russia continues to produce and modernise the Su-34, attempting to maintain the size of its aircraft fleet and sustain the intensity of its missile and bomb strikes," the intelligence agency emphasised.
Meanwhile , according to DIU, Russia's ability to further expand this capability depends on production capacity, the availability of technological components and the Russian military industry's ability to compensate for its losses.
Background : In October, Russian state corporation Rostec announced that a new batch of Su-34 aircraft had been delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces. The number of aircraft delivered was not specified.
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