In a stunning blow to the Kremlin's air capabilities, Ukrainian forces have successfully shot down three Russian fighter jets, including two prized strategic bombers, military officials announced on Sunday.
The dramatic takedown, which reportedly occurred over eastern Ukraine, targeted two Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers and a sophisticated Su-35 fighter jet. This operation marks a critical and rare success against Russia's valuable long-range bomber fleet.
A Significant Setback for the Kremlin
The Ukrainian Air Force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, hailed the operation as a major victory. The Sukhoi Su-34 is a cornerstone of Russia's tactical bombing campaigns, routinely used to launch devastating glide bombs at Ukrainian positions and cities.
"Destroyed! And there will be more!" Commander Oleshchuk declared in a triumphant statement on Telegram, accompanied by a video purportedly showing the flaming wreckage of one of the aircraft.
The Luhansk Ambush
According to Ukrainian reports, the intercept took place in the eastern Luhansk region, an area currently under Russian occupation. This suggests Ukrainian air defences were able to penetrate deep behind enemy lines to deliver the strike.
While the Russian defence ministry has remained characteristically silent on the incident, pro-Kremlin military bloggers have confirmed the losses, acknowledging it as a "black day" for the Russian air force.
The Rising Cost of Putin's War
This incident brings the total number of Russian fixed-wing aircraft lost in February to at least six, signalling a potent and improving Ukrainian air defence strategy. The ability to target these high-value assets provides a massive morale boost for Ukraine and demonstrates a shifting dynamic in the aerial battle space.
As the war grinds on, such successful strikes on expensive and complex hardware like the Su-34 and Su-35 represent not just a tactical win, but a substantial financial and strategic loss for Moscow, challenging Vladimir Putin's air superiority.
