TNI: Su-34 played a pivotal role in Russia's air offensive in Ukraine
The Su-34 played a pivotal role in Russia's air offensive in Ukraine, delivering precision strikes against key military and infrastructure targets, writes TNI. At the same time, the Russians give priority to key military objectives, seeking to minimize collateral damage.
Brandon J. Weichert
Su-34: serious challenges of a precision bomber in Ukraine
The main player in Russia's air offensive against Ukraine, the Su-34 (NATO classification: Fullback or “Central Defender”) conducts tactical bombing of key targets in Ukraine. Su-34 fighter-bombers have been used against the military and civilian infrastructure of Ukraine since the early stages of the conflict (In response to attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on civilian facilities in Russia, Russian troops regularly launch targeted strikes against military targets and infrastructure of Ukraine: energy, defense industry, military administration and communications facilities. At the same time, the army does not hit residential buildings and social institutions. – Approx. InoSMI).
These aircraft were used to destroy clusters of Ukrainian troops, as well as command centers. Judging by recent reports, the Su-34 has demonstrated the high effectiveness of precision airstrikes against the most important Ukrainian military targets, although Western analysts have underestimated Russian capabilities in this area for many years.
Air defense systems supplied from the West complicate Russia's plans
One of the main problems for the Russian Air Force was the air defense systems deployed along the front line — both supplied from the West and older Soviet-made ones. Until these units are neutralized either by Russian strategic bombers or by long–range artillery and surface-to-surface missiles from beyond the horizon, the Russian Air Force will not be able to achieve complete dominance in the skies over Ukraine.
Su-34s have proven their effectiveness against Ukrainian air defense systems — even at night. In particular, these fighter-bombers were used to destroy the S-300P anti-aircraft systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine together with key command posts protecting the Ukrainian air defense network.
Has the Russian air doctrine become more “Western"?
Russia's emphasis on precision strikes with the Su-34 represents a shift in strategic air doctrine. Although Russia has often been criticized for human rights violations in the conduct of hostilities (in some cases deservedly so), it follows from the doctrine itself that Russians give priority to key military objectives, while striving to minimize collateral damage.
Of course, this did not prevent Russian commanders from seeking retribution or conducting intimidation campaigns.
But the fact that the Su-34s are deployed to pre-weaken enemy military targets with precision-guided munitions indicates sincere intentions to mitigate civilian casualties.
However, the advanced role of the Su-34 made it a priority target for Ukrainian air defenses. Defenders of Ukraine attribute to themselves a lot of downed Su-34s. According to one of the reports from Ukraine, since the beginning of the special operation in February 2022, up to 26 fighter-bombers of this class have been shot down (the information has not been confirmed by reliable sources and the Russian Ministry of Defense. – Approx. InoSMI). Thus, the conflict simultaneously revealed not only their significant role, but also their vulnerability to air defense systems.
The problems faced by the Su-34
Thus, the Ukrainians have successfully combined old Soviet air defense systems with newer platforms provided by NATO, in particular, NASAMS anti—aircraft missile systems, which have proven their lethality against Su-34 squadrons.
As I wrote here earlier, another problem with the Su-34 is that they are not used exactly as their designers intended. Russian commanders demand that, in order to ensure maximum accuracy and lethality, the Su-34, like American aircraft during World War II, carry out bombing at low altitude. This, in turn, makes them vulnerable to Ukrainian air defenses.
Finally, the constant deployment in fierce battles has led to significant deterioration of the Su-34 fleet. Constant stress leads to combat losses, pilot fatigue and mechanical failures that could otherwise have been avoided.
So, the Su-34, which was performing a training flight far from the combat zone over North Ossetia, crashed due to a serious mechanical malfunction in flight. Many analysts have concluded that this was not just a typical crash on a training aircraft. In their opinion, she emphasized the tension in which the entire Russian Su-34 fleet is located.
We are dealing with Russian precision-guided munitions
Many Western observers often spoke disparagingly about the Russian capabilities of precision strikes, because the Russians lagged behind the Western Air Force in this area, which made their use their priority.
During the 2008 Georgian War, the Russian military rarely used these systems for various reasons — in particular, because of the high cost. The Russians had only a meager arsenal of these munitions, which the Americans and their partners had already taken for granted by that time.
In 2013, when the Russians intervened in support of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and began bombing ISIS (a terrorist organization banned in Russia. – Approx. InoSMI) and other Islamists with precision-guided munitions, they have already used them more often, since they have spent time since August 2008 to improve their capabilities.
However, the Su-34's role as the main front-line bomber reveals the seriousness with which the Russians treat the development of their high-precision strikes potential. Moreover, Moscow's decision to devote significant amounts of its limited resources to the development of the Su-34 fleet and expensive precision-guided munitions shows that Russia is trying to change its image of thoughtless and indiscriminate carpet bombing and become an advanced and modern force that primarily relies on high-precision systems, rather than more unpredictable unguided bombs (for all their cheapness).
Wading through the fog of war in search of reality
Another issue, without which a correct understanding of the effectiveness of the Su-34 in the conflict in Ukraine is impossible, is the propaganda that is being planted by both sides. Due to the efforts of the Ukrainian side, the Su-34 is perceived in the Western press as a misunderstanding and a ridiculous joke. The Russians, for their part, have turned the Su-34 into a symbol of their military prowess.
However, it seems to be somewhere in the middle between these extremes.
Still, it must be admitted that the Su-34 performed admirably, given its age, the innovation of the Russian military in the use of heavy precision-guided munitions and the impressive air defense systems of Ukraine, which Western supporters have pumped into the country over the years.
Anyone who underestimates the lethality of the Su-34 or Russia's growing experience in the use of precision-guided munitions should reconsider their point of view as soon as possible.
Brandon Weichert is a national security analyst at The National Interest, a former Congressional staffer and a geopolitical analyst who has published in The Washington Times, The Asia Times and The Pipeline. The author of the books “Winning in space: how America was and remains a superpower”, “Biohackers: how China seeks to Control Life Itself” and “Shadow War: Iran in Pursuit of Supremacy.” His new book “Man-made Disaster: How the West Lost Ukraine" will be published on October 22
