Russia Loses Another Su-34 Fighter-Bomber Amid Ongoing Conflict

• •Another Su-34 fighter-bomber reportedly lost by Russia on March 31, 2026.
• •The loss was announced by the pro-war Telegram channel Fighterbomber, with no confirmed details.
• •Operational strain on Russia's air fleet is highlighted by the accumulation of nearly 100 jets at Lipetsk Air Base.

On March 31, 2026, Russian military bloggers reported the loss of another Su-34 fighter-bomber, with the pro-war Telegram channel Fighterbomber sharing a message suggesting the pilot did not survive. The exact location and circumstances of the loss remain unspecified. Fighterbomber published a black-and-white photo of the aircraft, which was noted to be an old image with the tail number concealed. The Su-34 has been a key platform for Russia, primarily used for launching guided glide bombs. The operational strain on Russia's fleet is evident, as the Lipetsk Air Base has nearly 100 jets stored, including many Su-34s. Ukraine's military has not confirmed the aircraft's destruction, and the last confirmed loss was reported on January 28, 2026. Additionally, on April 1, 2026, Russia's Defense Ministry announced a separate incident involving an An-26 aircraft crash in occupied Crimea, resulting in 29 fatalities.