A black day for Russian military aviation - new generation 4++ Su-35 Flanker-Е+ fighter jet destroyed at a cost of $100 million

May 13 is a black day for Russian military aviation. The aerospace forces lost at least four aircraft in a matter of hours.

Here's What We Know

We wrote about the destruction of two helicopters and two Su-34s. It later became known that the downed helicopters were the rare Mi-8MTPR-1s with the Rychag-AV radio-electronic warfare station. It also emerged that only one Su-34 crashed on Russian territory. The second plane that crashed was a Su-35 Flanker-Е+.

Both fighters were destroyed in Russian airspace, near the Ukrainian border. The Su-34 may cost $35-50 million, while the cost of the Su-35 is unknown. However, the price of the export version is around $100 million.

The Su-35 Flanker-Е+ is Russia's new generation 4++ fighter. It entered service in early 2014. The aircraft is capable of speeds up to 2,500km/h (M=2.3) and has a range of up to 3,600km without outboard fuel tanks.

The Su-35 Flanker-Е+ fighter is equipped with a 30-mm GSh-30-1 cannon and can carry a payload of up to 8,000kg. The aircraft can be equipped with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.