Ukrainian air defenses reportedly brought down a Russian Su-34 supersonic fighter-bomber over the Luhansk Oblast on January 29, 2024.  

The information was reported by Andrii Kovalev, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff on national television, as per Ukrinform.  

The aircraft, valued at over €45 million, was confirmed to be the latest casualty in the ongoing conflict. 

A pricey start to the year for Russian aviation 

The downing of the Su-34 follows a series of recent events where Ukrainian forces successfully targeted Russian aircraft. 

On January 14, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces affirmed that they successfully shot down a Beriev A-50 and inflicted substantial damage on an Ilyushin Il-22, both critical Russian airborne command and control platforms, above the Sea of Azov.  

On January 24, 2024, a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport aircraft crashed near the village of Yablonovo, Belgorod Oblast, approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Ukrainian border.