--- title: "GUR assesses Su-34 losses and production: Russia has about 140 aircraft left, priority is modernizing the Su-34M" description: "According to the GUR, about 140 Su-34s remain in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces; 43 aircraft have been destroyed since the start of the invasion. The Novosibirsk plant produces 14–18 machines annually, with priority given to Su-34M modernization." date: 2026-10-29T14:41:23.138Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/gur-assesses-su-34-russia-losses tags: [su-34, russian-air-force, ukraine-war, military-aviation, gur] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # GUR assesses Su-34 losses and production: Russia has about 140 aircraft left, priority is modernizing the Su-34M ![A Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in flight against a bright blue sky background](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/29/su-34-poteri-i-proizvodstvo-rf/su-34-poteri-i-proizvodstvo-rf-1.webp) ## Key Points - According to the GUR, there are about 140 Su-34s in service; since the start of the invasion, 43 have been destroyed and 7 damaged. - Serial production is concentrated at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V. Chkalov, with capacities estimated at 14–18 machines per year; priority is the Su-34M. - Over the year (Oct 22, 2025–Oct 22, 2026), 22 new Su-34s were delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces, exceeding the estimated annual output. - Tactics have shifted from unguided bombs to guided missiles and bombs with UMPK modules. Su-34 fighter-bombers remain one of the key elements of Russia's strike aviation in the war against Ukraine. Despite significant combat losses, Moscow continues serial production of these machines and their modernization. An operational assessment of the fleet's condition and production capabilities was presented by the press service of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, cited by RBC-Ukraine with data as of October 22, 2026. ### Fleet condition and combat losses According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russian Aerospace Forces have about 140 Su-34 fighter-bombers of various modifications in service, including the modernized Su-34M. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to the same assessment, Russia has lost 43 aircraft of this type — they were destroyed, and another seven were damaged. The GUR notes that such losses are significant for the aviation fleet: their restoration requires a long production cycle, significant financial resources, and specialized industrial cooperation. For clarity, the agency points out that the number of destroyed Su-34s is equivalent to approximately 2.5–3 years of production at estimated capacities of 14–18 aircraft per year. ### Production and modernization priority Serial production of the Su-34 is concentrated at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V. Chkalov, which is part of the United Aircraft Corporation. The plant's production capacity is estimated to allow for the output of approximately 14–18 aircraft of this type annually. The priority for Moscow is the production of modernized Su-34M aircraft, equipped with improved onboard equipment and expanded capabilities for using aviation weapons; modernization is intended to increase the combat effectiveness of the machines. It is notable that, according to the GUR, in the period from October 22, 2025, to October 22, 2026, the Russian Aerospace Forces were delivered 22 new Su-34s — a figure exceeding the estimated annual production volume of 14–18 machines. ### Transformation of application tactics The role of the Su-34 in strike aviation has undergone a significant transformation during the war. At the initial stage of the invasion, these aircraft were primarily used for bombing ground targets with unguided aerial bombs — in particular, FAB-250, FAB-500 M-62, and concrete-piercing BetAB-500s. The use of such weaponry required approaching targets and increased the machines' vulnerability to Ukrainian air defense systems. In parallel, Su-34s began to be used as carriers of guided Kh-31 and Kh-59 missiles, and in some cases, anti-ship Kh-35U missiles for striking ground targets. Fundamental changes in tactics occurred with the mass introduction of aviation bombs equipped with a unified planning and correction module (UMPK): the combination of the Su-34 with relatively cheap UMPK kits became one of the defining factors in increasing the strike potential of Russian aviation. ### Strike on an airfield in the Voronezh region Against the backdrop of these data, RBC-Ukraine previously reported that on the night of October 15, 2026, the Ukrainian Navy carried out a strike on a Russian airfield in the Voronezh region, which, according to available information, resulted in the destruction of six Su-34M bombers. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, stated that the Su-34s hit by defense forces on October 15 were preparing for new strikes on Ukrainian territory. These episodes emphasize that strikes on airfields and infrastructure remain one of the tools for reducing the strike potential of Russian aviation. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [В ГУР рассказали, сколько РФ потеряла истребителей Су-34 с начала вторжения](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/gur-rozpovili-skilki-rf-vtratila-vinishchuvachiv-1793284559.html) - Primary source: Data from the press service of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine as of Oct 22, 2026 (approx 140 Su-34s in service, 43 destroyed, 7 damaged; production of 14–18/year at the Novosibirsk plant; 22 new Su-34s delivered in one year; transformation of tactics; strike on Voronezh region airfield on Oct 15, 2026). Assessment by one party, without independent confirmation. ## FAQ ### How many Su-34s are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces according to the GUR? About 140 aircraft of various modifications, including the modernized Su-34M (as of October 22, 2026). ### How many Su-34s has Russia lost since the start of the invasion? According to GUR estimates, 43 aircraft have been destroyed and 7 have been damaged. ### Where is the Su-34 produced and what are the production capacities? Serial production is concentrated at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V. Chkalov (part of UAC), with capacities estimated at 14–18 machines per year.