Ukrainian intelligence forces shoot down Russian Su-30SM over Black Sea

Source: Ukraine’s defense ministry

Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence said on Thursday its special forces took down a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet over the Black Sea.  The video revealed on social media, showed the moment the Russian aircraft is shot down with a portable air defense system (MANPADS).

The destroyed Su-30SM was part of the 43rd Independent Naval Aviation Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces, stationed at the Saki airbase in Crimea. The jet went down on September 11 at around 5:00 a.m.

According to reports, the crash made Russian forces launch a search and rescue mission.  They deployed an An-26 aircraft along with Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters. Hours later, they traced the plane wreckage and a fuel spill 70 kilometers northwest of Cape Tarkhankut.

This loss is not just a tactical blow but also a financial one, as the jet’s estimated value is some $50 million.