One of the conditions for accepting theSukhoi Su-7B into service in 1961 was the requirement for Sukhoi to develop an all-weather variant capable of precision air strikes. Preliminary investigations withS-28 andS-32 aircraft revealed that the basic Su-7 design was too small to contain all theavionics required for the mission.[2] OKB-794 (later known as Leninets)[3] was tasked with developing an advancednav/attack system, codenamedPuma, which would be at the core of the new aircraft.[1] That same year, the United States proposal for their new all-weather strike fighter would be the TFX. The resultingF-111 would introduce a variable-geometry wing for greatly increased payload, range, and low-level penetration capabilities.
In 1962–1963, Sukhoi initially set out to build an aircraft without the complexity of moving wings like the F-111. It designed and built a mockup ofS-6, adelta wing aircraft powered by twoTumansky R-21turbojet engines and with a crew of two in atandem arrangement. The mockup was inspected but no further work was ordered due to lack of progress on thePuma hardware.[2]
In 1964, Sukhoi started work onS-58M. The aircraft was supposed to represent a modification of theSukhoi Su-15 interceptor (factory designationS-58). In the meantime, revisedSoviet Air Force requirements called for a low-altitude strike aircraft withSTOL capability. A key feature was the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds at low altitude for extended periods of time in order to traverse enemy air defenses.[2] To achieve this, the design included two Tumansky R-27 afterburning turbojets for cruise and fourRybinsk RD-36-35 turbojets for STOL performance. Side-by-side seating for the crew was implemented since the largeOrion radar antennas required a large frontal cross-section.[2] To test the six-engine scheme, the first Su-15 prototype was converted intoS-58VD flying laboratory which operated in 1966–1969.[2]
The aircraft was officially sanctioned on 24 August 1965 under the internal codenameT-6. The first prototype,T-6-1, was completed in May 1967 and flew on 2 July withVladimir Ilyushin at the controls.[2] The initial flights were performed without the fourlift jets, which were installed in October 1967. At the same time, R-27s were replaced withLyulka AL-21Fs. STOL tests confirmed the data from S-58VD that short-field performance was achieved at the cost of significant loss of flight distance as the lift engines occupied space normally reserved for fuel, loss of under-fuselagehardpoints, and instability during transition from STOL to conventional flight.[2] So the six-engine approach was abandoned.
By 1967, the F-111 had entered service and demonstrated the practical advantages and solutions to the technical problems of a swing-wing design. On 7 August 1968, the OKB was officially tasked with investigating avariable geometry wing for the T-6. The resultingT-6-2I first flew on 17 January 1970 with Ilyushin at the controls. The subsequent government trials lasted until 1974, dictated by the complexity of the onboard systems.[2] The day or night and all-weather capability was achieved – for the first time[2] in Soviet tactical attack aircraft – thanks to thePuma nav/attack system consisting of twoOrion-A superimposed radar scanners for nav/attack, a dedicatedRelyefterrain clearance radar to provide automatic control of flights at low and extremely low altitudes, and anOrbita-10-58 onboard computer.[1] The crew was equipped withZvezdaK-36Dejection seats, allowing them to bail out at any altitude and flight speed, including during takeoff and landing.[1][2] The resulting design with a range of 3,000 kilometers (1,900 mi) and payload of 8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb) was slightly smaller and shorter ranged than the F-111.
Ten fatal accidents occurred during Su-24 development, killing thirteen Sukhoi and Soviet Air Forcetest pilots, and more than 5 crashes per year were occurring at average after that[4]
A Russian Su-24M in flight, 2009
The first production aircraft flew on 31 December 1971 with V.T. Vylomov at the controls, and on 4 February 1975, T-6 was formally accepted into service as theSu-24.[2] About 1,400 Su-24s were produced.
The Su-24 has a shoulder-mounted variable geometry wing outboard of a relatively small fixed wing glove, swept at 69°. The wing has four sweep settings: 16° for takeoff and landing, 35° and 45° for cruise at different altitudes, and 69° for minimumaspect ratio and wing area in low-level dashes. The variable geometry wing provides excellent STOL performance, allowing a landing speed of 230 kilometers per hour (140 mph), even lower than theSukhoi Su-17 despite substantially greater takeoff weight. Its high wing loading provides a stable low-level ride and minimal gust response.
The Su-24 has two Saturn/Lyulka AL-21F-3Aafterburning turbojet engines with 109.8 kN (24,700 lbf) thrust each, fed with air from two rectangular side-mounted intakes withsplitter plates/boundary-layer diverters.
In early Su-24 ("Fencer A" according toNATO) aircraft these intakes had variable ramps, allowing a maximum speed of 2,320 kilometers per hour (1,440 mph),Mach 2.18, at altitude and a ceiling of 17,500 meters (57,400 ft). Because the Su-24 is used almost exclusively for low-level missions, the actuators for the variable intakes were removed to reduce weight and maintenance. This has no effect on low-level performance, but absolute maximum speed and altitude are cut to Mach 1.35 and 11,000 meters (36,000 ft).[5][unreliable source?] The earliest Su-24 had a box-like rear fuselage, which was soon changed in production to a rear exhaust shroud more closely shaped around the engines to reducedrag. The revised aircraft also gained three side-by-side antenna fairings in the nose, a repositioned braking chute, and a new ram-air inlet at the base of the tail fin. The revised aircraft were dubbed "Fencer-B" by NATO, but did not merit a new Soviet designation.
The Su-24's fixed armament is a single fast-firingGSh-6-23cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition, mounted in the fuselage underside. The gun is covered with an eyelid shutter when not in use.[citation needed] Two or fourR-60 (NATO AA-8 'Aphid')infrared missiles are usually carried for self-defence by the Su-24M/24MK.[6]
Initial Su-24s had basicelectronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment, with many Su-24s limited to the old Sirena radar-warning receiver with no integraljamming system. Later-production Su-24s had more comprehensive radar warning, missile-launch warning, and active ECM equipment, with triangular antennas on the sides of the intakes and the tip of the vertical fin. This earned the NATO designation "Fencer-C", although again it did not have a separate Soviet designation. Some "Fencer-C" and laterSu-24M (NATO "Fencer-D") have large wing fence/pylons on the wing glove portion with integralchaff/flare dispensers; others have such launchers scabbed onto either side of the tail fin.
Substantial numbers of ex-Soviet Su-24s remain in service withKazakhstan,Russia, andUkraine. In 2008, roughly 415 were in service with Russian forces, with 321 in the Russian Air Force and 94 in theRussian Navy.[7]The Russian Aerospace Forces will eventually replace the Su-24 with theSukhoi Su-34.[8]
The Soviet Union used some Su-24s in theSoviet–Afghan War, with an initial round of strikes in 1984 and a second intervention at the end of the war in 1988. No Su-24 was lost.[9]
On October 13, 1990,Syrian Air Force jets enteredLebanese airspace in order to strike GeneralMichel Aoun's military forces. Seven Su-24s were used in this operation.[10]
In August 1999 Tajikistan protested over an alleged strike involving four UzAF Su-24s against Islamist militants in areas close to two mountain villages in theJirgatol District that, despite not producing human casualties, killed some 100 head of livestock and set ablaze several crop fields. Tashkent denied the accusations.[12]
Su-24s were used in combat during theSecond Chechen War performing bombing and reconnaissance missions. Up to four were lost, one due to hostile fire: on 4 October 1999, a Su-24 was shot down by a SAM while searching for the crash site of a downedSu-25. The pilot was killed while the navigator was taken prisoner.
In August 2008, a low intensity conflict in the breakaway Georgian regions of Samachablo and Abkhazia, escalated into the2008 South Ossetia war.[16] Russian Su-24s flew bombing and reconnaissance sorties over Georgia.[17] Russia admitted that three of its Su-25 strike aircraft and oneTu-22M3 long-range bomber were lost.Moscow Defence Brief provided a higher estimate, saying that Russian Air Force total losses during the war were one Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, one Su-24M Fencer tactical bomber, one Su-24MR Fencer E reconnaissance plane and four Su-25 attack planes. Anton Lavrov listed one Su-25SM, two Su-25BM, two Su-24M and one Tu-22M3 lost.[18]
Libya received five Su-24MK and one Su-24MR from the Soviet Union in 1989.[19] This was one of the last deliveries by the USSR to Libya before the end of theCold War. One Su-24MK and one Su-24MR may have been transferred to the Syrian Arab Air Force.[citation needed] At the beginning of 2011, the Libyan Air Force was ordered to attack rebel positions and opposition rallies. The Libyan Air Force was limited to a composite force of some MiG-23 (due to be retired, according to plans) and Su-22 and few units of flyable MiG-21, Su-24 and Mirage F1ED fighter-bombers, supported bySoko G-2 Galeb andAero L-39 Albatros armed trainers. The largest part of the former fleet was in disrepair or stored in not flyable condition. On 5 March 2011, at the beginning of the2011 Libyan civil war, rebels shot down aLibyan Air Force Su-24MK during fighting around Ra's Lanuf with aZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun. Both crew members died. ABBC reporter was on the scene soon after the event and filmed an aircraft part at the crash site showing the emblem of the 1124 Squadron, flying the Su-24MK.[20][21][22]
Starting in November 2012, 18 months after the start of theSyrian Civil War and four months after the beginning of air raids by fixed-wing SyAAF aircraft, Su-24 bombers were filmed attacking rebel positions.[23] The SAF suffered its first Su-24 loss, an upgraded MK2 version, to anIgla surface-to-air missile on 28 November 2012 near the town ofDarat Izza in theAleppo Governorate. One of the crew members, Col. Ziad Daud Ali, was injured and filmed being taken to a rebel field hospital.[24]
Syrian Su-24s were reportedly involved in near-encounters with NATO warplanes. One such incident occurred in early September 2013, when Syrian Su-24s of the 819th Squadron (launched fromTiyas Military Airbase) flew low over the Mediterranean and approached the 14-mile air exclusion zone surrounding the British airbase inAkrotiri,Cyprus, then turned back before reaching the area after twoRAFEurofighter Typhoons were scrambled to intercept them along with two TurkishF-16s. The Su-24s were possibly testing the base's air defenses (and their reaction time) in preparation for a possible military strike by the U.S., the United Kingdom and France in the aftermath of thechemical weapons attack in Ghouta, Damascus allegedly committed by the Syrian government.[25]
On 23 September 2014, a Syrian Su-24 was shot down by anIsraeli Air Defense CommandMIM-104D Patriot missile near Quneitra, after it had flown 800 meters (2,600 ft) into Israeli controlled airspace over the occupied Golan Heights.[26] The missile hit the aircraft after it had already re-entered Syrian air space.[27] Both crew members ejected safely and landed in Syrian territory.[28]
On 18 March 2018, a SyAAF Su-24 was shot down by rebels in East Qalamoun, East of Damascus province; it fell into territory controlled by Syrian government forces.[29][30]
A couple of Russian Su-24M on the return fromKhmeimim Air Base in 2016.
While the Russian Air Force (VVS) aviation group deployed at Khmeimim base inLatakia included modern types such as the Su-30SM, Su-34, and the Su-35, the vast majority of airstrikes (over 80%) were conducted by Su-24Ms.[33] According toThe Aviationist, at least twelve Su-24M2 bombers were deployed in September 2015.[34] Regardless of type used, the VVS fighter-bombers used old unguided bombs stockpiled during the Soviet era against the insurgents.[33] On 24 November 2015, a Russian Su-24Mwas shot down by a flight of two Turkish F-16s near the Turkey–Syrian border. The two crew ejected before the plane crashed in Syrian territory. Russia claimed that the jet had not left Syrian airspace while Turkey claimed that the jet entered their airspace and was warned 10–12 times before being shot down.[35][36]
A deputy commander in aSyrian Turkmen brigade claimed that his personnel shot and killed the crew while they were descending in their parachutes, while some Turkish officials subsequently stated that the crew was still alive.[37] Theweapon systems officer was rescued by Russian forces but the pilot was killed by rebels, along with a Russian marine involved in a helicopter rescue attempt. Russian president Vladimir Putin warned Turkey of serious consequences. To increase safety during aerial operations in the region, Russian fighter jets would escort bombers,S-400SAM systems were deployed in Syria and a Russiancruiser was stationed off the coast to protect Russian aircraft.[38][39] Following the incident, Russia announced that Su-24s in Syria had been armed with air-to-air missiles on operational sorties.[citation needed]
A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft flies over USSDonald Cook
In late May 2015, a pair of Russian Su-24s made a low pass over theUSS Ross in theBlack Sea.[40] In April 2016, several Russian Su-24s flew within 30 metres of another American ship, the destroyerUSS Donald Cook in theBaltic Sea.[41] The incidents occurred over two days, with the planes making passes by theDonald Cook while it was in international waters. In November 2018, two armed Russian Su-24s flew low over the Belgianauxiliary shipGodetia. At the time of the incident, theGodetia was in use as the command ship of NATO's northern mine-sweeping fleet.[42]
In March 2015, Sudanese PresidentOmar al-Bashir committed Sudan to join theSaudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen against theHouthis. The Sudanese military effort included the commitment of up to four recently acquiredSudanese Air Force Su-24s to the SaudiKing Khalid Air Base where they were photographed. Sudanese Armed Forces did not specify the type of mission the Su-24s conducted.[43][44] Integrating several Soviet-made combat jets with air forces using modern Western models (F-15s, F-16s, F/A-18s, Tornados, Typhoons) during an active military campaign would represent a historical first, requiring extensive communication integration or leaving the Soviet-made jets operating on a different mission plan. Air defense units, like Saudi MIM-104 Patriot batteries, would either need to stand down, taking the risk of not monitoring for incoming threats or some very specific orders to avoid shooting down friendlies.[citation needed]On 28 March 2015, duringOperation Decisive Storm, Houthi forces claimed they shot down a Sudanese Air Force Su-24.[45][46] Houthis published photos of an allegedly captured Sudanese pilot and metal parts claiming it as the aircraft wreckage.[47][48][49]
Ukrainian Su-24MR11 yellow in 2013Ukrainian Su-24M overStarokostiantyniv in 2015
TheUkrainian Air Force inherited all of its Su-24s from the Soviet Union when the latter dissolved in 1991.[50] In 2009, amiddeclining relations with Russia, Ukraine began to have difficulty obtaining spare parts from Sukhoi.[51] On 5 August 2019, theMykolaiv Aircraft Repair Plant [uk] announced a modernization andMRO program for Ukraine's Su-24M bombers and Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft.[52]
During thewar in Donbas, a Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 was damaged by a MANPADS fired by pro-Russian forces on 2 July 2014. One of the engines was damaged but the crew managed to return to base and land. During landing a new fire started but it was extinguished by the ground crew.[53] Initially identified as a Su-25, on 20 August 2014 a Ukrainian Su-24M was shot down by Russian proxy forces in theLuhansk Oblast and confirmed by Ukrainian authorities who reported that the crew members ejected safely and were recovered.[54][55] On 21 August 2014, the downed plane was identified as a Su-24M.[56]
In the first hours of the invasion, the Ukrainian Air Force used at least two Su-24Ms during theBattle of Antonov Airport againstRussian Airborne Forces that had flown in the airport in helicopters.[60] On 27 February, one Ukrainian Su-24 was lost near Bucha, Kyiv Oblast. The pilots, Major Ruslan Oleksandrovich Bilous and Captain Roman Oleksandrovich Dovhalyuk, were killed and were posthumously awarded with theOrder of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.[61][62] Another bomber was reported lost on 3 April, when a video emerged showing the crash site with the remains of a blue-coloured AL-21 engine employed by the Su-24.[63] On 22 March, another Ukrainian Su-24M was shot down by Russian forces inIzyum. The navigator ejected successfully, but the pilot, Major Oleksiy Oleksandrovich Kovalenko, was killed.[64] On 19 May, a Su-24 was lost near Pylove. The pilot, Lt. Colonel Igor Khamar and the navigator, Major Ilya Negar, were killed.[65][66]
On 9 August,explosions atSaky Airport inNovofedorivka, Crimea, destroyed and damaged several aircraft on the ground, among them at least fiveRussian Naval Aviation Su-24s.[67] Russia denied the loss of any aircraft, though this was rebutted bysatellite imagery.[68] On 9 October 2022, a Russian Su-24 crashed during landing in the Rostov region in Russia due to technical malfunction.[69]
Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24M carrying two Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles
In May 2023, the United Kingdom supplied Ukraine withStorm Shadowair-launched cruise missiles,[70] allowing Su-24s to launch strikes from a safer distance.[71] On 24 May, Ukrainian Defense MinisterOleksii Reznikov tweeted acomposite image of a Su-24MR carrying a Storm Shadow missile on its right wing glove pylon. As a Storm Shadow weighs almost 2,900 pounds, only the Su-24 orSu-27 can carry it.[72]On 2 July, it was reported that Ukrainian Su-24s were modified with pylons taken from decommissioned RAFPanavia Tornado GR4s in order to carry and launch at least two Storm Shadows at once. It appears that the coordinates have to be entered while the aircraft is on the ground.[73][74]
On 9 September 2023, Russian sources claimed that six boats of an attempted Ukrainian amphibious operation nearCape Tarkhankut were intercepted by a Russian Su-24M and that three of the boats were sunk usingRBK-500 bombs.[76]
On 13 September 2023, an attack onSevastopol Shipyard resulted in damage to port facilities, thesubmarineRostov-na-Donu and thelanding shipMinsk, both of which were in dry dock. Ukrainian Air Force commanderMykola Oleshchuk strongly implied the use of either British Storm Shadow or French SCALP missiles launched by Ukrainian Su-24s.[77][78][79] On 22 September, Ukrainian Su-24s firing Storm Shadow missilesstruck the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.[80][81] The Ukrainian military alleged that the strike was timed to coincide with a meeting of naval officials and there were casualties.[82]
On 4 November 2023, at least three Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles launched by Ukrainian Su-24s struck the newly builtRussian corvetteAskold at theZalyv Shipbuilding Yard inKerch.[83] The ship, which was to enter service in the second half of 2023,[84] suffered extensive damage to its port side.[85] On 5 December 2023, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk stated that a UkrainianRBS 70 MANPAD downed a Su-24 in Odesa Oblast.[86]
Ukrainian Su-24MR11 yellow in 2024
On 26 December 2023, theRussian landing ship Novocherkassk was destroyed by Ukrainian Su-24s using cruise missiles.[87][88] Russian officials claimed that two Ukrainian Su-24s were shot down, but this claim was refuted by a Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson.[89][90]
An early project in the gestation of the Su-24, like a meld of the Su-7 and Su-15.[92]
T6-1
The initial prototype with cropped delta wings and 4RD-36-35 lift engines in the fuselage.[92]
T6-2I / T6-3I / T6-4I
Prototypes for the variable geometry Su-24 production aircraft.[92]
Su-24
The first production version, the armaments includeKh-23 andKh-28 type air-to-ground guided missiles, together with R-55 type air-to-air guided missiles.[1] Manufactured between 1971–1983, with around 500 units produced.
Su-24M ('Fencer-D')
Work on upgrading the Su-24 started in 1971, and included the addition ofinflight refueling and expansion of attack capabilities with even more payload options.T-6M-8 prototype first flew on 29 June 1977, and the first production Su-24M flew on 20 June 1979. The aircraft was accepted into service in 1983. Su-24M has a 0.76 m (30 in) longer fuselage section forward of the cockpit, adding a retractable refueling probe, and a reshaped, shorterradome for the attack radar. It can be identified by the single nose probe in place of the three-part probe of earlier aircraft. A newPNS-24Minertial navigation system and digital computer were also added. AKaira-24laser designator/TV-optical quantum system (similar to the AmericanPave Tack) was fitted in a bulge in the port side of the lower fuselage, as well as Tekon track and search system (in pod), for compatibility with guided weapons, including 500 and 1,500kglaser-guided bombs and TV-guided bombs, and laser/TV-guided missilesKh-25 andKh-29L/T, anti-radar missilesKh-58 and Kh-14 (AS-12 'Kegler') andKh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt')/Kh-59M TV-target seeker guided missiles.[1] The new systems led to a reduction in internal fuel amounting to 85 L (22.4 US gal). Su-24M was manufactured between 1981–1993, with around 770 units produced.[1]
Su-24M2 ('Fencer-D')
Next modernization of Su-24M introduced in 2000 with the "Sukhoi" program and in 1999 with the "Gefest" program. The modernized planes are equipped with new equipment and systems. As a result, they get new capabilities and improved combat efficiency, including new navigation system (SVP-24), new weapons control system, new HUD (ILS-31, like in Su-27SM or KAI-24) and expanding list of usable munitions (Kh-31A/P,Kh-59MK,KAB-500S). The last batch of the Sukhoi was delivered to the Russian VVS in 2009.[93] Modernization continues with the program "Gefest". All frontline bombers Su-24 in the Central Military District received new sighting and navigation systems SVP-24 in 2013.[94]
Su-24MK ('Fencer-D')
Export version of the Su-24M with downgraded avionics and weapons capabilities. First flight 30 May 1987 asT-6MK, 17 May 1988 as Su-24MK. Manufactured 1988–1992, sold toAlgeria, Iraq,Libya, and Syria. Many Iraqi examples were evacuated to Iran.
Su-24MR ('Fencer-E')
Dedicated tacticalreconnaissance variant. First flight 25 July 1980 asT-6MR-26, 13 April 1983 as Su-24MR. Entered service in 1983, with 130 units manufactured. Su-24MR retains much of the Su-24M's navigation suite, including the terrain-following radar, but deletes the Orion-A attack radar, the laser/TV system, and the cannon in favor of two panoramiccamera installations, 'Aist-M' ('Stork') TV camera, RDS-BO 'Shtik' ('Bayonet') side-looking airborne radar (SLAR), and 'Zima' ('Winter') infrared reconnaissance system. Other sensors are carried in pod form. Manufactured 1983–1993.[1] It is also being modernized.[95]
Su-24MP ('Fencer-F')
Dedicated electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) variant, intended to replace theYak-28PP 'Brewer-E'. First flight 14 March 1980 asT-6MP-25, 7 April 1983 as Su-24MP. The Su-24MP has additional antennas for intelligence-gathering sensors and radar jamming, omitting the laser/TV fairing, but retaining the cannon and provision for up to fourR-60 (AA-8) missiles for self-defense. Only 10 were built.[1]
Libyan National Army − Unknown number of aircraft were supplied by Russia to the LNA, these are operated by Russian mercenaries.[97] Some Su-24Ms remain airworthy as of 2024[98]
Kazakhstan Air Defense Force - Operated 13 aircraft until retired in 2023 or earlier. The aircraft were put up for auction in October 2023, and reportedly purchased by the US in April 2024.[108][109][110] In a later statement, the Kazakh state-owned weapons importer and exporter Kazspetexport denied such claims, saying that foreign companies were not allowed to bid.[111][112]
On 10 April 2011 an Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Su-24MK crashed close to Khavaran village near the city of Sarvestan, about 80 km east of Shiraz in the southern province of Fars.[119]
On 30 October 2012, a Russian Air Force Su-24M crashed inChelyabinsk Oblast,Russia. During the flight thenose cone fractured. After attempting an emergency landing, the crew of two flew to open territory and safely ejected. A regional government website stated that emergency was the result of aircraft control system failure. Flights of Su-24 were suspended at theShagol base.[120]
On 21 March 2014, a Ukrainian Air Force Su-24M belonging to the 7th Brigade crashed during approach for landing near Starokonstantinov in the Khmelnitsky region, Ukraine. Both crew members ejected safely.[citation needed]
On 13 October 2014, an Algerian Air Force Su-24 crashed during a training flight killing both crew members[121]
On 6 July 2015, a Russian Air Force Su-24 crashed outside of Khabarovsk in Russia's Far East killing one out of two crew members.[122]
On 24 November 2015, a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-24 wasshot down by a Turkish F-16 near the Turkey-Syria border. Both crew ejected, but the pilot was killed byTurkmen rebels as he parachuted to the ground, while thenavigator was rescued.[123]
On 10 October 2017, a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-24 crashed during takeoff atKhmeimim Air Base, Latakia province,Syria. Both crew members died in the crash.[124]
On 9 August 2022, a series of explosions occurred at theSaki Air Base inCrimea. At least 1 Su-24 was destroyed, with satellite imagery taken hours before indicating there were at least two others in the vicinity. The RussianMinistry of Defense stated "there had been no attack and no aviation equipment had been damaged."[125]
^Cooper, Tom; Troung; Koelich, Marc (10 February 2008)."Afghanistan, 1979–2001; Part 2". ACIG.Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved23 December 2014.
^Barabanov, M.S.; Lavrov, A.V.; Tseluiko, V.A. (2010). "Russian Air Losses in the Five Day War Against Georgia". In Pukhov, R.N. (ed.).The Tanks of August(PDF). Moscow: Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.ISBN978-5-9902320-1-3. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 2011-01-28. Retrieved2019-08-13.
^"Ukrainian Su-24 Back In The Fight And Armed With A Laser-Guided Missile". Thedrive.com. 10 August 2022.Archived from the original on 2022-08-10. Retrieved2022-08-11.Western sources reported a total fully operational fleet of only 12 of these aircraft before the current conflict. It's likely that this last number is an underestimation, although only one tactical aviation brigade flew Fencers, both Su-24Ms for strike, and Su-24MR reconnaissance versions, based at Starokostyantyniv. Typically, a pre-war brigade had two squadrons with 10–12 aircraft each, although some brigades had only a single squadron.
^Axe, David (7 April 2022)."Where Are Ukraine's Bombers?".Forbes.Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved10 April 2022.There however is evidence the Ukrainians have lost at least one Su-24. On March 30, a video circulated on social media apparently depicting a Ukrainian bomber trailing smoke over Rivne in western Ukraine, purportedly after a Russian fighter intercepted it. At least one of those claimed kills appears to be valid. On or before April 3, someone shot a video depicting the crash site of a Ukrainian Su-24. Its blue camouflage pattern is visible, as are the remains of one of its AL-21 engines
^"Widespread Destruction Seen After Blasts At Russian Base In Crimea".The Drive - The War Zone. 10 August 2022.Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved26 September 2022...and three more Su-24 Fencers sitting inside revetments were very likely destroyed. Another Su-24 and adjacent structure, along with an additional separate structure, all in this same portion of the base were obliterated, as well. A fifth Su-24 looks to be damaged, too.
^Cooper, Tom (2018).Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1994-2017. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. VI.ISBN978-1-911628-18-7.
Antonov, Vladimir, et al.Okb Sukhoi: A History of the Design Bureau and Its Aircraft. Leicester, UK: Midland, 1996.ISBN1-85780-012-5.
Cooper, Tom (2022).Syrian Conflagration: The Syrian Civil War, 2011-2013 (Revised ed.). Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing.ISBN978-1-915070-81-4.
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