On Wednesday evening, January 28, 2026, Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-34 frontline bomber (NATO reporting name: Fullback) during an attempted bombing of Odesa. The combat loss was confirmed by former Russian military pilot Ilya Tumanov, known by the pseudonym Fighterbomber, who is considered well informed about developments within the armed forces (he posted a farewell message to the crew on Telegram – editor’s note). It remains unclear, however, whether this information is accurate.
Illustrative photo: United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)
According to reports from Ukrainian sources, the air defense likely used the MIM-104 Patriot air and missile defense system, and the shootdown reportedly occurred near Ukraine’s coast, close to Snake Island, on the approach to Budjak, the southern part of Odesa Oblast, the area between the lower Dniester and the Danube extending to the Black Sea coast. The aircraft was allegedly preparing to carry out an attack using guided aerial bombs. The Russian crew reportedly died at the scene.
Interestingly, reports also emerged of a second combat loss on the same day. It was initially identified as another Su-34 and later as a multirole Su-30 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H). The incident was first said to have occurred over Kursk Oblast due to a technical failure, and later it was reported to have taken place in the Odesa area. However, Fighterbomber denied this loss, and the confusion over the details points to disinformation.
Official authorities on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides have not commented on these reports, neither on the Su-34 loss confirmed by the Russian blogger nor on the alleged second loss. In general, Russia has not previously operated Su-34s over the Black Sea, where Su-30SM aircraft have been used predominantly to date.
An Ukrainian air defense position, possibly a Patriot SAM, shot down a Russian Su-34 over the Black Sea not far from the Ukrainian coast. The crew was killed.
I guess that Russians probed the Ukrainian air defense capabilities in that sector. They evidently found out. pic.twitter.com/5BB6dS27SI
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) January 28, 2026
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