Russia’s ‘Flying Tank’ Crashes Near North Korean Border; Another Setback for Su-25,

Russia’s ‘Flying Tank’ Crashes Near North Korean Border; Another Setback for Su-25,

 

Russia’s ‘Flying Tank’ Crashes Near North Korean Border; Another Setback for Su-25, An A-10 Warthog Rival

On March 24, a Russian Su-25 experienced a crash during a standard training operation in the Primorye Krai region. The pilot successfully ejected and was rescued, yet this event contributes to the increasing number of Su-25 incidents in the past years.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the aircraft fell in a deserted location near the border of North Korea. Preliminary evaluations indicate that a technical failure was the probable cause of the accident, and a team from the Russian Aerospace Forces has been assigned to conduct an inquiry.

The Su-25, a ground attack aircraft developed during the Soviet era, is still a vital asset in Russian military endeavors and is broadly utilized for both combat and training purposes.

This aircraft typically features a single seat (with some twin-seat models) and is powered by two engines. It has a wingspan of 14.36 meters and measures 15.33 meters in length. When armed to capacity, its top speed reaches 950 km/h, and it boasts a combat range of around 375 km. The Su-25 is outfitted with a GSh-30-2 30mm cannon and possesses multiple hardpoints for carrying bombs, rockets, and air-to-ground missiles, enhancing its effectiveness for close air support tasks.

Nevertheless, Russia has lost more than twenty Su-25s in the ongoing conflict. As per the Dutch open-source intelligence website Oryx, since the war began in February 2022, 113 Russian aircraft have been counted as destroyed or damaged, including 31 Su-25s.

The EurAsian Times has not been able to confirm these numbers independently and has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for their input. In spite of these losses, the Su-25 continues to be crucial for air operations in both Russia and Ukraine. Russia primarily utilizes upgraded variants like the Su-25SM and Su-25SM3, which come with enhanced avionics and electronic warfare capabilities.

Conversely, Ukraine employs older models of the Su-25, some of which have been adapted with weapons provided by Western nations. Despite their age, these aircraft are still heavily relied upon, demonstrating their reliability even amidst intense combat. However, with advancements in air defense technologies, the resilience of the Su-25 is facing unprecedented challenges.

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March 26, 2025 at 04:38PM