Ukraine claims precision strike: Three Russian Su-34s downed in Kherson
Amidst ongoing hostilities in southern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force reported successfully engaging Russian air assets on Friday, as reported by BBC.
Citing Telegram messaging platform communication from Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukrainian reports claim the downing of three Su-34 fighter-bombers in the southern operational area.
Specific details surrounding the incident, including the exact location and circumstances of the aircraft's downing, remain unconfirmed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky later addressed the nation, confirming the engagement and highlighting the location as the heavily contested Kherson region. "Our soldiers destroyed three Russian Sukhois at once. In the south - in our Kherson region," Zelensky declared, commending the defending troops and emphasising Ukraine's unwavering resolve. He added, "Let every Russian pilot know about our response to every Russian killer - none of them will go unpunished."
No official confirmation or details regarding the Russian pilots' fate have been released by Ukrainian authorities.
While the Russian Ministry of Defense hasn't officially acknowledged the claimed downings, a prominent Russian military blog, Fighterbomber, hinted at potential combat losses. Notably, the blog attributed these losses to the US-supplied Patriot air defence system currently deployed in Ukraine.
Independent verification of the Ukrainian claims is currently unavailable. Should confirmation be forthcoming, the downing of three Su-34s would represent a significant tactical victory for Ukrainian air defence efforts, particularly in the strategically relevant Kherson region.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
