Pilot Explains How Russians Shot Down Their Own Plane Over Crimea

• 18.10.2025, 18:40

"A very painful blow."

On the night of October 17, the Russians shot down their own Su-30SM aircraft over temporarily occupied Crimea. Avoiding "friendly fire" was difficult. In particular, the enemy has surface-to-air missile systems and locators on the territory of the peninsula, which is squeezed on both sides by seas.

This opinion was voiced by military expert, flight instructor and AFU colonel in reserve Roman Svitan on the air of "24 Kanal". According to him, in general, Crimea is one of the easiest mechanisms to start the liberation of Ukrainian territories.

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- Crimea is one of the easiest mechanisms to start the liberation of our territories. Because there is nowhere to turn around. Squeezed on two sides by the seas. Stuck anti-aircraft missile systems, locators. Air defense and aviation do not disagree, so they shoot them down," he emphasized.

What does the loss of the Su-30SM mean for the enemy?

Roman Svitan noted that the Su-30 is one of the linear good Russian aircraft. Based on the Su-27M, the occupiers have developed the Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35. They have about 100 units of each of these machines.

- Losing even one machine is quite a serious and painful blow for the Russians. They don't make them much per year. They mostly make the Su-34 because it is a bomber. So if they lose a Su-30 or Su-35, they don't recover it quickly," the military expert explained.