Russia arrests suspect in Su-34 plane fire

The Kyiv Independent on January 7 quoted information from Russian media saying that Russian authorities arrested a 16-year-old boy in the Republic of Dagestan (Russia) on charges of burning a Su-34 aircraft at the Shagol airbase in Chelyabinsk.

Image from video released by Ukrainian intelligence and believed to be of Su-34 on fire

The plane was burned on the evening of January 4 while parked at Shagol air base on the outskirts of Chelyabinsk city, about 2,000 km east of the Ukrainian border.

TASS news agency quoted a statement from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) saying that a Russian national was arrested in connection with an act of sabotage at a Russian Defense Ministry facility in Chelyabinsk in January "under the direction of Ukrainian special forces".

This person was identified in connection with arson attacks at communications facilities and railway infrastructure in Dagestan from November to December 2023.

Ukrainian intelligence destroyed Su-34 on Russian soil?

Earlier, the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper reported that the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR) was behind the burning of the Su-34 on January 4. HUR later released a video showing the burning plane but did not claim responsibility. The agency said that the Su-34, estimated to be worth at least $50 million, was completely burned but the damage was not clearly visible in the released video. Russian media said that the fire was quickly extinguished and did not cause major damage but did not provide evidence.

The suspect was arrested the following day and the court ordered him to be held in custody pending trial.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-bat-nghi-pham-dot-may-bay-su-34-185240108113215634.htm