Bayraktar TB2 Aids Ukrainian Scouts in Downing russian Su-30SM During Special Operation

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine has released a video of their special forces destroying russian Su-30SM fighter jet that belonged to the 43rd Separate Naval Aviation Regiment of the russian Aerospace Forces, stationed at the airfield in Saky, using a man-portable air-defense system. russian aircraft was destroyed on Wednesday, September 11. An-26 aircraft, Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters were engaged in the search and rescue effort.

The video by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine shows a rather interesting nuance: footage from the camera of the Bayraktar TB2 reconnaissance and strike UAV, which allows us to cautiously assume that this special operation, during which russian aircraft was destroyed, could have been conducted with the participation of this UAV.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine does not officially disclose the details of this drone’s participation in the operation. It should be noted the fact that footage from the Bayraktar TB2 camera have appeared. It is known that this UAV played a significant role in the destruction of russian troops in early 2022 and in the liberation of Snake Island. Later, videos of strikes by these drones rarely appeared on social media. It is clear given that these UAVs are vulnerable to enemy air defense systems.

In particular this thesis was expressed by the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Lieutenant general Kyrylo Budanov in a video by Come Back Alive foundation: “It is a good device. It is quite technologically advanced, at the initial stage of the second stage of russian war against us it generally showed phenomenal results, but now, of course, there is a very large oversaturation of air defense equipment and its use has become quite limited.”

At the same time, this primarily concerns the use of the Bayraktar TB2 as an attack drone, while according to Budanov, as a reconnaissance UAV it is fully used. He also told about its powerful optical station that provides long-range reconnaissance.

The Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine notes that today Bayraktar TB2 carries out a large amount of work to support the activities of the combat groups on the water and is used for aerial reconnaissance over the Black Sea, where it “fully justifies itself.” Of course, this UAV needs the right approaches to its usage, because if it is just launched, it will be destroyed quite quickly.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine noted the high level of reliability of the Bayraktar TB2. It is said that this UAV was used in the Bakhmut sector, detecting enemy convoys and adjusting artillery fire.

Earlier Defense Express reported that Ukrainian Forces had conducted successful sabotage operation on russian railway in the Belgorod region.