Russian Su-30SM2 Destroys Ukrainian Su-27 from 130km with R-37M Missile

Russian sources have reported that a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet was shot down in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, by a Russian Su-30SM2 utilizing a long-range R-37M air-to-air missile from a distance of 130 kilometers. Ukrainian sources have confirmed that Captain Ivan Bolotov, the pilot of the Su-27, “did not return from his mission.”

Captain Bolotov, 24, served with the 81st Tactical Aviation Brigade and had been conducting combat operations since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade has paid tribute to Bolotov, recognizing him as a courageous and irreplaceable warrior. While Ukrainian officials have confirmed his death, further details regarding the incident that led to his demise have not yet been released.

According to Russia-aligned sources, the Ukrainian Su-27 was downed by an R-37 long-range air-to-air missile launched from a Russian Navy Su-30SM2 fighter jet at an approximate range of 130 kilometers. Bolotov’s death underscores the perilous conditions encountered by the Ukrainian Air Force, which faces the challenge of Russia’s sophisticated long-range missile systems. Analysts emphasize that the R-37 missile, capable of reaching distances up to 300 kilometers, represents a considerable threat to Ukrainian pilots operating close to the front lines. The loss of this Su-27 further diminishes Ukraine’s fleet of frontline fighter jets, with estimates indicating that only about 20 Flankers remain operational.

Russian sources indicate that following the downing of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 fighter jet, the Russian military intercepted communications from the Ukrainian command. In these discussions, conducted in Russian, they addressed the aircraft’s loss and deliberated on the official explanation for the incident, considering options such as a hydraulic system failure.

The Su-27 that was destroyed was part of the 831 Tactical Aviation Brigade, stationed at the Mirgorod airfield in the Poltava region. This base is utilized by the Ukrainian military to conduct strikes against Russian targets.

It is possible that the Su-27 was shot down while it was engaged in operations targeting Russia with missiles provided by NATO. Additionally, Ukrainian forces frequently employ Su-27s as bombers to deploy JDAM-ER, ASC-250 HAMMER, and GBU-39B SDB munitions.

The R-37M missile has emerged as a formidable asset, facing minimal competition. Reports suggest that the Russian Air Force has outfitted its Su-35 and Su-30 fighter jets with R-37M (RVV-BD) long-range air-to-air missiles, which can engage aerial targets at ranges of up to 300 kilometers. This strategy underscores Moscow’s growing dependence on long-range air-to-air missiles like the R-37M, enabling its fighter aircraft to operate outside the heavily fortified airspace of central and western Ukraine, which is under stringent control by Ukrainian air defense systems and closely monitored by NATO early warning aircraft.

The R-37M (RVV-BD), designated AA-13 by NATO, is a contemporary long-range missile developed entirely in Russia. It is produced by Vympel, a prominent Russian company known for its expertise in air-to-air missile systems.

Initially conceived in the 1980s for high-altitude interceptors like the MiG-31, the R-37M variant began its development in the early 2000s. Unlike its predecessor, which was tailored for the MiG-31, the R-37M is designed to be compatible with a wider array of fighter aircraft, including the Su-35, Su-30, and Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Su-57.

The R-37M significantly enhances the combat capabilities of these aircraft. Similar to the original R-37, this variant can be equipped with a nuclear warhead, intended to target and eliminate large groups of enemy aircraft. Western military analysts believe that the R-37M is specifically designed to engage high-value aerial targets, such as Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) platforms.

They emphasize that the missile’s effectiveness is notably increased when used alongside fifth-generation fighters like the Su-57 “Felon.” Reports from Russian media indicate that the Russian Air Force has been integrating the R-37M missile into its Su-35, Su-30, and Su-57 fleets for the past two years. Each Su-35 and Su-30 can carry up to four R-37M missiles, significantly enhancing their long-range strike capabilities.