Russia’s air strikes on Ukraine have continued and showed an escalating momentum. U.S. media “Military Observatory” that on 17 October 2025, Russia launched the largest bombing operation in history on Ukrainian targets, carrying out 109 airstrikes with the Su-34 bombers-driven air group. In addition, U.S. media found that the Su-34 bombers used new methods, bombing operations synchronized with more than 6,000 bombs, of which 4941 separate attacks. Here the bombs are referred to in the original text as “cruise ammunition”, which should refer to drones, flying missiles, etc., which may be directed to flying navigation ammunition, which is the main ammunition used by the Su-34 bombers.
Since the beginning of the war, the Su-34 bombers have become the main Russian military bombers, responsible for most of the bombing operations. Russia is very fond of the Su-34 bombers, and has been trying to increase production, for this factory carried out three reversals, and production has also been improved.
According to Russian media reports, on October 6, 2025, the Russian New Siberian Aircraft Factory delivered the fifth batch of Su-34 bombers in 2025, one of which was received as a "memorial aircraft", i.e. the 200th Su-34 bombers received by the Russian Air Force. It is speculated that after deducting seven test and pre-production aircraft, in 2025 the Russian Air Force has received 13 or 14 Su-34 bombers.
According to the war report from Ukraine, 37 Su-34 bombers have been shot down so far, which seems to have suffered heavy losses. However, considering that the Russia-Ukraine war has been fought for more than three and a half years, in terms of the calculation, less than one bomber is lost per month; it should also be considered that the war report issued by Ukraine contains many false elements, and the actual loss may be much less than 37.
Judging from the production situation, the production of Su-34 bombers has been rising. The US media "Military Observer" reported that since the beginning of 2022, the production of Su-34 bombers has more than doubled. It is expected to produce 30 aircraft per year, and the output has far exceeded the same period. other models. In other words, the production of military aircraft in 2024 alone can make up for the consumption of the Russian Aerospace Forces on the battlefield. Russia's military industrial production capacity is really not weak. It is mainly completely domestically produced and will not be stuck by others. As long as the funds are in place, it can be produced quickly.
The Su-34 bomber is a profound improvement of the Su-27 fighter, weight increased by about 50%, has the longest range of modern fighters and the highest weapons carrying capacity, only upgraded by the old model, in the state of eating the bottom, lack of innovation, and the rate of development is relatively slow.
The development of the Su-34 bomber has taken too long. However, its performance in actual combat is still quite good. The American media "Military Observer" reported that its radar reflection area is equivalent to that of cruise missiles. Coupled with electronic warfare capabilities and extremely high mobility, it still has strong survivability in high-intensity combat on the battlefield.
In use, the Su-34 bomber is used as a platform for carrying gliding guided bombs. Each time after the Su-34 takes off, it drops glide guided bombs at an appropriate distance, returns for a short rest, and then hooks up and sets off again. Such combat operations go back and forth, seemingly boring, but in fact they are very effective, and have become one of the most troublesome weapons for the Ukrainian army.
The use of a large number of gliding guided aerial bombs not only killed countless Ukrainian troops, but also destroyed a large number of Ukrainian troops 'strong fortifications. Frontline personnel in the Ukraine army said the gliding-guided projectile created "additional destructive force" that could destroy underground bunkers. Due to the depletion and exhaustion of Ukraine's air defense forces, it has become increasingly impossible to deal with the Su-34 bomber, and its role has become increasingly prominent. A spokesman for the Ukraine Air Force once said that gliding guided aerial bombs can fly about 70 kilometers and are basically unable to intercept such munitions.
The Su-34 bomber has played an increasing role in the battle, and not only the Russian army likes it, but there is also an opportunity to sell it abroad, and Algeria is about to install it. According to Russian media reports, the first Su-34 bomber manufactured by Russia for Algeria has been dropped and is undergoing flight tests, mainly characterized by its body painting desert fascination. Current news says that Algeria will become the first foreign buyer of Su-34, with a total of 20 orders, six will be delivered by the end of 2025 and the remaining 14 will be delivered in service in the next two years.
The design of the Su-34 bomber does not meet Western standards. It is obviously a fighter fighter background, but it insists on working as a bomber. The West emphasizes multiple uses in modern warfare, but in fact it only has different views. The Su-34 bomber is very suitable for the actual situation of the Russia-Ukraine war. It does not need to consider the threat of Ukraine fighter jets at all. It only needs to drop bombs. The long range and large bomb load show advantages.
The advantages and disadvantages of modern fighter jets do not depend solely on performance parameters, but also based on actual needs. In large-scale wars, there are large quantities of equipment invested, and the so-called multi-purpose concept is not applicable. Especially when the opponent is at a disadvantage, how to give full play to it. Its advantages are the focus.