High attrition rate among naval aviation: Russian air regiment has lost half of its fighters

It's not just the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet that are repeatedly suffering losses in the war of aggression against Ukraine. Its naval aviation is also being hit hard. According to one list, one regiment of the fleet has lost over 50 percent of its multi-role fighters in three years.

A Russian air regiment stationed in the illegally annexed Crimea has reportedly lost more than half of its multi-role fighters since spring 2022. According to the Ukrainian specialist portal Militarnyi, a total of seven Su-30SMs of the 43rd Naval Attack Aviation Regiment have been destroyed and two others damaged since the start of Russia's major invasion of Ukraine. The Black Sea Fleet originally had a full squadron of twelve Su-30SMs.

Just on Thursday, Russian and Ukrainian sources reported the crash of a Su-30SM over the Black Sea. According to the Ukrainian Navy, citing intercepted radio messages, the aircraft was operating southeast of Serpent Island. Debris was discovered on the sea surface, according to the Navy. The fate of the two pilots is unclear. The Telegram channel "Fighterbomber," which is affiliated with the Russian Air Force, later confirmed the loss.

In addition to the latest incident, Militarnyi lists other battles:

The 43rd Marine Attack Aviation Regiment has been stationed at Saky Air Base since 2014 and, according to official information, also has 18 Su-24M bombers and four Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft. However, according to the military, five Su-24s were also destroyed and three others damaged in the attack on August 9, 2022.

The losses are likely to be painful for the Black Sea Fleet. Aside from the 43rd Regiment, the fleet has no other major airborne assault units. The 318th Mixed Aviation Regiment consists primarily of transport and reconnaissance aircraft. Smaller helicopter squadrons are also deployed.