Summary and 5 Points You Need to Know: A Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jet was reportedly shot down over the Black Sea, with unconfirmed reports suggesting it may have been downed by a Ukrainian F-16.

-However, later reports, including confirmation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, indicated that the aircraft was hit by a MANPADS (man-portable air defense system) fired from a boat.

-The Su-30 had been conducting missile strikes against Ukrainian targets and disappeared from radar.

-Debris and an oil slick were found during a Russian search operation.

-The loss marks a significant incident, with both the pilot and weapons officer believed to have perished.

Russian Su-30 Shot Down Over the Black Sea

Unconfirmed claims on social media this week suggested a Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM may have been shot down by a Ukrainian F-16 Fighting Falcon. If true, it would have marked the first air-to-air kill of a manned fighter by an F-16 since the American-made aircraft arrived in Ukraine earlier this summer. It would also come weeks after a Fighting Falcon was lost due to pilot error.

However, Defence Blog reported that the Russian plane was "shot down by a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) fired from a boat in the Black Sea."

Shooting an aircraft with a MANPADS likely took some skill and no shortage of luck. But it is also possible that pilot error played a role. Russia doesn't have the best track record in maintaining its aircraft. Many of its aviators lack time in the cockpit, and this fighter was operating late in the evening over open water.

Military writer H I Sutton shared a confirmation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense that a MANPADS that downed the aircraft.

"The #Russian Su-30 FLANKER jet shot down over Black Sea yesterday was the result of a MANPADS (shoulder launched air defense missile), by #Ukraine," Sutton wrote on X.

What We Know

Details remain sparse, but according to reports, the Su-30SM disappeared from radar while over the Black Sea late Tuesday. The Kremlin has not acknowledged that the aircraft failed to return to base. Moscow is typically slow to report the loss of combat aircraft.

Newsweek cited reports from the Crimean Wind channel on Telegram, which acknowledged the flight went missing after it conducted missile attacks against Ukrainian targets. The twin-seat Su-30SM was armed with X-31P missiles, of which four were fired towards the Odesa region.

"The aircraft was stationed at the Krymsk airfield in Russia's Krasnodar region, which frequently deploys fighter jets for missions in and around the Black Sea amid heightened military tensions in the region," Newsweek reported.

Elements from the Russian Black Sea Fleet carried out a search and rescue operation for the pilot, while helicopters – including Mi-8 and Ka-27 models – were deployed from the Kacha airbase to locate the missing Su-30SM.

"During the search, teams reportedly identified a significant oil slick spanning approximately 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) in diameter in the designated search area. Additionally, debris believed to be from the aircraft, including a wing, was reportedly discovered," Newsweek further reported. 

Ilya Tumanov of the pro-Russian Fighterbomber channel on Telegram also confirmed the loss of the aircraft. He and other military watchers have said it is unlikely either the pilot or weapons officer onboard the Su-30MS could have survived.

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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