Pro‑Ukraine saboteurs ignite Russian Su‑30SM fighter at base
A Su-30SM multirole fighter jet has burned down in Russia. According to the United24 Media portal, the aircraft was set on fire by pro-Ukrainian saboteurs. The plane had been stationed in Rostov-on-Don for several years.
As reported by Ukrainian military intelligence, a Russian Su-30SM aircraft with the side number 35 burned down at the Centralny air base in Rostov-on-Don. The condition of the aircraft before the arson is unknown. Archival photos available on Google Earth indicate that this type of plane had been present at the base since at least 2021.
Russian Su-30SM burned at the airport
Satellite images from April 24, 2025, show traces of the fire at the location where the Su-30SM used to stand.
Historical satellite photos suggest that the Russian fighter has not flown for several years, although this cannot be confirmed with absolute certainty. It is also possible that the unit served as a "donor" of parts for potential repairs of other planes of this type. This would not be surprising given the known cases of cannibalization in the Russian Federation's arsenal, which result from challenges in accessing new spare parts and service components.
The Su-30SM is one of the most advanced combat aircraft in Russia's arsenal. It features an impressive operational range of about 3,000 kilometres and the ability to operate at altitudes of up to 17,500 metres. This aircraft, nearly 22 metres in length, is designed to effectively engage targets both in the air and on land and sea. It is equipped with a standard aircraft cannon and twelve pylons capable of carrying additional armaments weighing up to 8,000 kilograms. The Su-30SM can carry various missiles such as R-73, S-8, or Kh-25, as well as guided bombs.
