Aircraft & UAVs

Su-24

The Su-24, NATO reporting name Fencer, is a Soviet-designed twin-engine tactical bomber built for low-level all-weather strike missions. In Ukrainian service during the Russia-Ukraine War, surviving Su-24M and Su-24MR aircraft became especially important after integration of Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG cruise missiles, allowing long-range attacks without relying on newer Western combat aircraft.

Russia-Ukraine WarUkraine

Conflict side: Ukraine
Built by: Sukhoi
Built in: Soviet UnionRussia

Su-24, Supersonic all-weather tactical bomber and strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Profile

Type: Supersonic all-weather tactical bomber and strike aircraft
Conflict side: Ukraine
Origin: Soviet Union
Service note: Cold War design, still used in the Russia-Ukraine War

strikebomberair-launchedfixed-wing

Service History

In service: In service from the 1970s; Ukrainian aircraft remain in wartime use
Used by: Ukrainian Air Force
Wars: Russia-Ukraine War

Production History

Designer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Designed: 1960s development; variable-geometry prototype first flew in 1970
Built by: Sukhoi
Built in: Soviet UnionRussia
Produced: 1970s-1990s
Variants: Su-24M, Su-24MR, Su-24MP

Specifications

Powerplant: Two Saturn/Lyulka AL-21F-3A turbojets
Maximum takeoff weight: 39,700 kg
Maximum speed: Mach 2.18 indicative cruise performance
Range: 565 nautical miles indicative range
Dimensions: 24.50 m length; 17.60 m wingspan

Conflict Usage

Russia-Ukraine War: Side: Ukraine
Ukrainian Su-24M/MR aircraft have been adapted as launch platforms for UK Storm Shadow and French SCALP-EG cruise missiles, giving Ukraine a standoff strike option against Russian targets in occupied territory.

Su-24 Images

Su-24, Supersonic all-weather tactical bomber and strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1

Su-24, Supersonic all-weather tactical bomber and strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2

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Sources

SUKHOI Su-24Publisher: SKYbrary Aviation Safety | Note: Supports manufacturer attribution, aircraft role, variants, dimensions, powerplant, weight, speed, and range data. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Su-24 Fencer Is Ukraine's Storm Shadow Missile CarrierPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports the Russia-Ukraine War context that Ukrainian Su-24 aircraft were adapted to employ Storm Shadow cruise missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Video Shows Ukrainian Su-24M Fencer Launching a Pair of Storm Shadow MissilesPublisher: Kyiv Post | Note: Supports Ukrainian Su-24M use as a Storm Shadow/SCALP launch platform during the Russia-Ukraine War and notes pylon adaptation from retired Tornado GR4 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 File:Su-24M Storm Shadow.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image source for a Ukrainian Air Force Su-24M carrying Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles; Commons lists the file under CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 File:Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24M at Starokonstantinov.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supplemental gallery image provenance for a Ukrainian Air Force Su-24M at Starokonstantinov. | Accessed: 2026-06-20