Russia’s defense ministry has received a new batch of fighter jets.
The Sukhoi-34 jet delivery comes as Ukraine hopes that more fourth-generation F-16s supplied by NATO countries can change the battlefield calculus in the war.
Meanwhile, U.S.-led negotiations to the end hostilities appear to have stalled, with President Donald Trump threatening to walk away if no deal is imminent and Moscow doubling down on its demands for Ukraine’s capitulation.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment.
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Why It Matters
The announcement of a jet delivery to Russia’s defense ministry could be seen as a statement of intent by Moscow. It follows Ukraine confirming last month it had received an unspecified number of F-16 aircraft, which are more modern than the Soviet-era jets Kyiv had been relying on.
It comes as the prospect of peace remains distant, with the U.S. saying it would walk away from talks if there is no progress between Moscow and Kyiv.
What To Know
The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation) said in a statement on Telegram it had handed over a batch of new Su-34 fighter-bombers to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Saturday’s statement did not mention numbers but said that the aircraft had undergone testing and were ready for service. Vladimir Artyakov, a Rostec director, said that the jet is the best in its class and is at the forefront of Russian aviation’s strike power, the newspaper Izvestia reported.
Developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association, the Su-34 has been in service since 2014.
The statement added that the aircraft are designed to destroy ground and air targets, and infrastructure facilities covered by air defense systems. Izvestia reported how on March 31, a Su-34 aircraft had bombed a Ukrainian stronghold in the border area of Russia’s Kursk region.
Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed a batch of F-16s had been delivered to Kyiv and other countries have made pledges to provide the aircraft including the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium.
Last week, Kyiv said Ukrainian F-16 pilot Pavlo Ivanov was killed in a combat mission, the second such reported death of a someone flying the aircraft.
On the diplomatic front, the push for peace continues without much hope of a breakthrough after Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, reiterated Moscow’s rejection of a general ceasefire.
Nebenzya said on Friday that a general ceasefire in Ukraine is unrealistic and accused Kyiv of not observing the temporary moratorium on long-range strikes against energy infrastructure which had been agreed last month.
Russian officials have reiterated Putin’s rejection of a 30-day full ceasefire proposal, blaming Kyiv for failure in talks and trying to extract U.S. concessions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that if it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, Washington would abandon its efforts and move on.
What People Are Saying
Vladimir Artyakov, first deputy general director of Rostec: “The Su-34 is the backbone of the strike power of Russia’s frontline aviation.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “The United States has been helping Ukraine for the past three years and we want it to end, but it’s not our war.”
What Happens Next
With both Ukraine and Russia announcing aircraft deals, the diplomatic wranglings continue amid the fighting.
Moscow’s rejection of all U.S. proposals that do not concede to its demands like government change, demilitarization, and territorial concessions, clash with warnings by Rubio and Trump that the U.S. could walk away if there is no progress and suggest an end to hostilities is not imminent.
