Ukrinform reports that according to the press service of the Ukrainian Airborne Assault Troops, one of their paratroopers downed a Russian Su-25 “Frogfoot” on July 29th, 2022. The press service report reads:

“Yesterday, July 29, in Donetsk region, a serviceman with the air defense unit of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade of the Sicheslav Airborne Assault Division shot down with an Igla MANPADS system another Su-25 armored attack aircraft operated by the Russian occupiers.”

This particular Frogfoot wreckage image was released on March 4th, 2022. The aircraft was shot down near Volnovakha. Image Credit: airforcemag.com

Thus far in the war in Ukraine, we’re told by the source above that the Ukrainian 25th has downed a total of seven helicopters, seven drones, and 15 Russian fighter planes. Ukrinform reported earlier that as recently as July 24th, the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade downed another Su-25. The unit commander claims that after downing the aircraft, they have captured two of their aircrew.

The Igla used to bring down the jet is a Russian/Soviet surface-to-air missile (SAM). The Soviets first used these man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) in the early 80s. The latest variant is the 9K338 Igla-S, known to NATO forces as the SA-24 Grinch.