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In March 2023, a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber with the tail number Red 23 was reportedly downed in Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. The Su-34, known for its precision strike capabilities and dual-role as a bomber and fighter, has been a key asset in Russia's air campaign. However, the aircraft faced significant threats from Ukrainian air defenses, including MANPADS and advanced anti-air systems. The downing of Red 23 highlighted the increasing vulnerability of Russian aircraft in contested airspace, as Ukraine's forces continued to adapt and improve their defense tactics amid the war.

Designed by the Soviet Union to challenge the superiority of fourth generation US fighters such as the F-15 Eagle, the Su-27 was first flown on May 20, 1977. This one seat Mach-2 fighter had the Soviet Union's first operational fly-by-wire system. The aircraft is very large compared to the MiG-29, its closest Soviet counterpart, but it is built with a high percentage of titanium, which helps minimize its weight. It is exceptionally agile and is perhaps most famous for its "Cobra" maneuver, which is a short, sustained level flight at a 120 degree angle of attack, often performed at air shows.

Info:    Su-34 Fullback - Russian Air Force, Red 23, Ukraine, March 2023