Ukraine Confirms Shooting Down Russian Su Warplane Using SAMP/T Air Defense

A Russian Su-family military aircraft was shot down by the Italian-French SAMP/T air defense missile system during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

This was announced by Yurii Ihnat, Head of the communications department of the Air Force Command, during the discussion “Defense Talks: Sky Without Guided Aerial Bombs,” Suspilne correspondent reported.

Ihnat did not specify the aircraft model, nor the time and location of the interception. The news agency added that Ukraine received its first SAMP/T system in August 2023.

“SAMP/T took down a 'Sushka' [Su aircraft], as well as other targets. The aircraft hit is confirmed,” Ihnat stated.

According to Ihnat, the Patriot air defense system, originally designed to counter ballistic threats, is currently one of the most effective systems for shooting down enemy aircraft. He also highlighted past operations where Patriot systems successfully targeted and destroyed Russian aircraft carrying guided aerial bombs.

Ihnat added that after several Russian aircraft were destroyed, Russian forces changed tactics and began actively hunting Ukrainian air defense systems.

“There has been an intense effort to target Patriot systems. Unfortunately, we have lost some confirmed launchers, but not the system itself—it continued to operate. However, in areas where the Patriot was deployed, Russian aircraft stayed away for months. The enemy, knowing they could be destroyed, chose not to approach,” Ihnat stated.

The SAMP/T system has a range of 350 km horizontally and over 150 km vertically, surpassing the Patriot, which has a maximum range of 120 km with the PAC-3 MSE missile. However, the Patriot system is more versatile, particularly in intercepting a wider variety of targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

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