Western experts are skeptical about a Ukrainian brigade’s claim that they shot down seven Russian Su-25 attack aircraft in just one month.
Ukraine’s 110th Mechanized Brigade claimed to have shot down seven Russian Air Force Su-25 ground attack aircraft in less than a month.
According to the Ukrainian side, the incidents occurred on May 4, May 11, May 13, May 18, May 22, May 23, and May 25. If true, this would be considered a significant loss for the Russian Air Force.
However, according to Forbes, the Ukrainian claim seems to lack convincing evidence. The American magazine stated that the 110th Brigade most likely shot down no more than two Russian aircraft over the past month.
Forbes noted that there is only evidence for two shootdowns. The first piece of evidence is a very blurry photograph of a burning object on the ground on May 13. The second piece of evidence is a video from May 26 showing an object burning from a great distance.
Moreover, the 110th Brigade posted several videos when announcing the downing of the Russian Su-25, but observers noticed that these were cut from a video game.
According to Forbes, if the 110th Brigade exaggerated their battlefield achievements, it could be a psychological warfare tactic aimed at pressuring the enemy and boosting Ukrainian morale.
The 110th Brigade previously failed to halt Russian advances in Avdiivka, Donetsk. For months, they had to hide under rubble while enduring continuous Russian shelling.
Facing severe ammunition shortages, they had no choice but to retreat and protect a new frontline west of Avdiivka.
Recently, taking advantage of the enemy’s lack of defensive firepower, Russia has continuously deployed Su-25 aircraft to attack Ukrainian positions. For instance, since mid-April, Russia has repeatedly sent low-altitude Su-25 attacks around Chasov Yar, aiming to capture the strategic town.
Given that Russia is dominating the frontline while Ukraine awaits the arrival of Western ammunition and air defense missiles, news of multiple Su-25 shootdowns could serve as a motivational boost for Kyiv, despite the lack of sufficient evidence for these claims.
The Su-25 is a ground attack aircraft designed to support ground forces both day and night. Currently, the Russian military employs Su-25 variants, including the Su-25SM, Su-25SM3, and Su-25UB.
As an attack aircraft tasked with striking Ukrainian ground targets, the Russian Su-25 faces numerous challenges, especially from Western-supplied man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) provided to Ukraine. The Su-25 is designed for direct attacks and close support, with a maximum speed of around 956 km/h and a ceiling of 6,700 meters.
In addition to a twin-barrel 30mm cannon with 250 rounds, the Su-25 can carry over 4 tons of ordnance, including missiles, rockets, guided and unguided bombs, and even additional cannons. The Su-25 is armored with steel and titanium plates ranging from 6mm to 25mm around the cockpit, parts of the fuselage, wings, and fuel tanks.
