Two Su-34 and a Su-35 Down At Once: Ukrainian Air Defense Destroys russian Aircraft
The Aerospace Forces of russia have lost three more combat jets operating in the near-frontline areas: two Su-34 tactical bombers and one Su-35 fighter. The successful downing of enemy aircraft in the eastern operational warzone was reported by the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
War Ukraine-Russia News Hub adds that such composition of the russian aircraft formation indicates that it was a group on a mission to launch UMPK guided glide bombs. Usually, the execution tactics are the following: two Su-34s drop the bombs upon distant targets on the ground, while the Su-35 provides air cover, sometimes it launches anti-radar missiles to ensure safety for the group and increase the probability of a successful hit.
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Today, in the Southern direction – minus two russian Su-34 fighter-bombers and one Su-35! pic.twitter.com/wbI7ctzB6O
— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) February 17, 2024
There is a high chance this time as well the “wandering Patriot” is accounted for the downing of russian jets. For a reminder, it is a presumed Ukrainian-developed tactic of utilizing the American anti-aircraft missile system to prepare an ambush, which requires taking the risk of deploying the system dangerously close to the forward line of enemy troops.
The GEM-T interceptor used by Patriot against targets like aircraft and cruise missiles, has the maximum range of 150 km, and the no escape zone, i.e. the maximum launch distance allowed for a guaranteed lock on the enemy is around 110 km, according to unofficial data. On the other side, the maximum range of an UMPK is 60–70 km.
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