On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced that, in cooperation with the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (SOF AFU), a drone strike was carried out on the Russian Marinovka airbase in the Volgograd region, resulting in the destruction of two Su-34 frontline fighter-bombers (NATO reporting name: Fullback) and damage to two others.
Illustrative photo: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation
Long-range unmanned aerial vehicles were used in the strike (the base is located approximately 450 km from the front line). The drone attack also caused a fire in the technical and operational section of the airfield, a critically important part of the military facility, as it is where aircraft are prepared for missions and undergo routine maintenance and repairs.
СБУ та ССО ЗСУ знищили два російські літаки СУ-34 на аеродромі Маринівка у Волгоградській області, ще два пошкодили
➡️ https://t.co/IWfPtyEae4 pic.twitter.com/SfGwzOmJfr
— СБ України (@ServiceSsu) June 27, 2025
Although there is currently no visual confirmation – and, unsurprisingly, no acknowledgment from Russian authorities, including those of the Volgograd region – the losses were indirectly confirmed (though without numbers) by Ilya Tumanov, a former Russian military pilot and well-informed source on armed forces matters, known on Telegram as Fighterbomber. He wrote:
“As for Marinovka, there’s no point in commenting on anything. Yet another multibillion-ruble loss that could and should have been prevented. And it would be nice if the Khokhols weren’t the only ones to blame. There are others involved here. And it will continue. I’m sure we’ll respond with a flurry of angry and determined Telegram posts.”
The unusually candid statement sparked negative reactions among Russian military commentators. Some even accused Tumanov of aiding Ukraine by serving as a source of objective verification of Russian losses.
The Marinovka airbase is home to the 11th Composite Aviation Regiment of the 4th Air and Air Defense Army, which includes a squadron of Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft and Su-34 bombers that were relocated from Morozovsk airbase in the Rostov region (it is believed that, due to its proximity to Ukraine, the base now hosts an increased number of aircraft). Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the base has already been attacked twice: a drone strike on August 22, 2024, caused a fire, as did another strike on March 21 of this year.
Earlier this month, on June 9, Ukrainian forces struck the Savasleyka airbase in the Nizhny Novgorod region, damaging two combat aircraft: a MiG-31K and either a Su-30 or Su-34.
If the destruction or damage of five Su-34s this month is confirmed, the total number of Su-34 losses to date would reach 49 aircraft, including those destroyed, damaged, and lost in accidents, out of a total of 59.
The most recent delivery of Su-34s to Aerospace Forces (VKS) units — in the modernized Su-34M/NWO variant — took place on April 19 of this year. The exact number of Su-34s still in active service is difficult to determine due to the Russian Ministry of Defense’s increasingly restrictive information policy, which no longer discloses the volume of aircraft deliveries from domestic production plants. It is estimated that Russia may have fewer than 100 Su-34s in total, including at least 22 upgraded Su-34M/NWO variants.
Aircraft were hit at the Marinovka airfield in Volgograd region of russiahttps://t.co/6WuU48yeo7 pic.twitter.com/0xS0XVf3eE
— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) June 27, 2025
According to preliminary information, four units of enemy aircraft, namely Su-34, and a maintenance unit, a place where various combat aircraft are serviced and repaired, were hit.
— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) June 27, 2025
Update:
Satellite images have emerged confirming the information provided by the SBU.