Captured images show a Russian Su-34 Fighter releasing decoy flares while conducting air raids. These decoys draw away Ukrainian missiles firing at the Russian fighter bombers. Used in the air campaign are the Sukhoi Su-35E Flankers and the heavy-duty Su-34.

Su-34 Fighter From Russia 

Seen in the Donetsk region in Eastern Ukraine is a plane flying overhead and releasing heat traps where Russia carried out airstrikes, reported the Eurasian Times.

A video of the plane releasing flares was posted on social media. It came after Ukraine's anti-aircraft missile shot down a Sukhoi Su-34 fighter plane over Kharkiv, according to a new video released by Ukrainian authorities, cited the Business Insider.

Footage of a big flaming object falling from the sky was published on Facebook by Ukraine's General Staff of the Armed Forces a few days ago, claiming it to be a Russian Su-34.

Early in the Ukraine, incursion saw the twin-seat fighter as force multipliers to suppress the Ukrainians. Later seven of the fighter-bombers were seen flying over the City of Kharkiv.

According to Russian state media, Russia's newest fighter plane costs $36 million each unit, yet, it has allegedly fallen short of its capabilities in the Ukraine conflict.

Kyiv claims to have downed several Su-34 fighter jets, including one on March 27. The allegations could not be independently confirmed.

Russian Su-34 fighter jets are actively deploying large flares in Ukraine, especially in the airspace of the Donbas republic. Due to the large-scale supply of anti-aircraft missiles used by the Ukrainians.

Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids?

These Man-Portable Air defense systems (MANPADS) like Javelins, Stingers, NLAWs, and Starstreak have caused damage to Russian military forces. Especially Russian planes are flying low over the landscapes. Other systems used by Ukraine are the S-300, and S-125 Neva, has accounted for shot-down aircraft.

The last time Russia was in the news for utilizing heat traps was onboard a Tu-124PU during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Syria in 2017. Su-30SM escorting the Russian President Putin's aircraft encircled it; to form heat traps to stop a portable MANPAD attack.

Decoy Flares

Flares are carried by the Soviet jets that are hot, which are ejected to keep missiles away to protect it, mentioned Science ABC.

Most decoy flares are made of materials that instantly burn when they contact air. These pyrophoric flares, also called decoy flares because they burn up as soon as they 'touch' the air, work wonders in preventing a heat-seeking missile from hitting its (intended) target. Heatseekers will be fooled by the hot flares which distract

After launching phantom flares, the pilot may move the plane away from the steep angle at which the flares were shot. Engine power is limited to regulate or minimize the plane's thermal signature.

Even if they are not in actual conflict, helicopters and ground attack aircraft may practice firing flares when entering high-risk sections. They are also included in their performance envelope and operations wherein shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles may be available.

During training dogfights, warplanes will discharge flares whenever an adversary is within the firing range of their short-range missiles. Seeing a twin-seater Russian Su-34 Fighter eject large decoys is the best countermeasure if a MANPAD can be fired at it; to avoid getting shot down.

Related Article: Mirage 2000 Fighter Plane: French Multi-Mission Aircraft Used by Many Air Forces Worldwide