What You Need to Know: Reports suggest that a Ukrainian-operated F-16 has downed a second Russian Sukhoi Su-34, also known as the “Fullback.” Though Russia has not officially confirmed the loss, posts from Russian military bloggers indicate the downing, with messages honoring the deceased crew and photos of a black-painted Su-34.

-The Su-34, a twin-engine, twin-seat strike aircraft, is among Russia’s most valued military assets, making this loss significant amid production struggles.

-The F-16’s success in downing Russian fighters signals the effectiveness of Western-supplied aircraft in Ukraine, underscoring the continued difficulty Russia faces in securing air superiority.

Did a Ukrainian F-16 Shoot Down Another Russian Su-34?

The F-16 may be living up to its name "Fighting Falcon," but the multirole aircraft could earn another name "Fullback Killer" after reports circulated this month that a Ukrainian-piloted F-16 downed a second Russian Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name Fullback).

It was less than a month ago that an F-16 was widely credited with downing a Russian fighter over eastern Ukraine, and all about confirmed by pro-Putin Russian milbloggers including the infamous Fighterbomber (aka Ilya Tumanov), who regularly posts on the Telegram social messaging app. According to a report from the Kyiv Post, messages including "Eternal memory, brothers" made the rounds along with photos of a "black painted Su-34," which was believed to be "the actual aircraft that had gone down."

The Kremlin has not confirmed the loss of the Su-34 this month, but it also never acknowledged that one was likely lost to an F-16 in October.

"The lack of comment from the Russian side reflects the Kremlin?s sensitivities about admitting to the loss of yet another of its advanced aircraft," the Kyiv Post added.

The Su-34 Remains a Key Asset

The Sukhoi Su-34 multirole strike aircraft is a twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber, initially developed for the Soviet Air Forces in the 1980s. It was one of the Kremlin's many programs that were forced on the backburner following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the economic crisis that followed.

The program was later revived and the Su-34 formally entered service in 2014. It has been considered one of the Kremlin's most capable warbirds, and the loss would be significant as Moscow struggles to keep up production of new aircraft.

F-16s Getting the Job Done?

Since it first entered service in 1979, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has engaged in more than 400,000 combat sorties and has more than a combined 19 million flight hours. Moreover, the F-16 has been adapted to complete several missions, including air-to-air fighting, ground attack, and electronic warfare.

It remains the world's most successful, combat-proven multi-role jet fighter ever produced.

Yet, questions have been repeatedly raised as to whether the aircraft provided by the West would make any significant difference in the ongoing conflict. Though the downing of two Su-34 aircraft may not seem like a huge deal, it does serve as a reminder that the Kremlin hasn't been able to achieve anything close to air superiority.

The F-16 was originally designed to counter Soviet aircraft, and by all accounts, it is living up to that role. As Ukraine receives more aircraft and its pilots are trained, it will likely help tilt the balance for Kyiv. It may not be enough to help Ukraine achieve victory, but the Fighting Falcon will allow it to remain in the fight.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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