Ukraine claims to down three Russian Su-34 fighter jets

Europe, News December 24, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The Ukrainian military has claimed to have shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter bomber jets in the Kherson region on December 22, 2023. Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied Kyiv’s claims.

According to Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk, three Russian Su-34 jets were shot down around the Kherson region by the Ukrainian military’s anti-aircraft region stationed in the Odesa region. “Today at noon in the southern sector, minus three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers.” Mykola wrote in his Telegram post.

Air Force spokesperson Yuri Ihnat described the event on national television as a “brilliantly planned operation”. He said “There haven’t been Su-34 for some time in our positive statistics,” citing the model as one of Russia’s most modern aircraft for bombing and other assaults.

The Kremlin has remained silent on Ukraine’s assertions; however, an influential Russian war blogger Fighterbomber suggested the possibility attributed to the Patriot missile air-defense system.

Another Russian war blogger, Voenniy Osvedomitel (“Military Informant”) Telegram channel also confirmed “losses among Su-34 bombers,” noting their deployment for dropping glide bombs on the Ukrainian bridgehead in Krynky, situated on the Russian-controlled east bank of the Dnipro River.

According to Ukrainian and Western aerial combat experts, Ukraine likely used ground Patriot missiles, which have a range of up to 160 kilometers against high-altitude targets, from the western side of the Dnipro River.

*^{Suspension of the FAB-250-M62 bomb on the Su-34 bomber. (Image Credit: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation)}*

In his nightly address following the claims, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the soldiers who shot down the Russian fighter jets. “It’s the gain of our Air Force and the direct action of the Odesa Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. Thank you, guys!” he said.

Zelenskyy added that “may every Russian pilot be well aware of our response to every Russian killer – none of them will go unpunished.” The Ukrainian president also said he spoke to the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte about the future delivery of F-16 jets, and a new EU support package.

“I spoke today with Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is preparing to send the first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. From political decisions regarding the provision of aircraft, we have moved on to training pilots and engineers, and now we are implementing the technical part – the actual delivery of F-16 jets. I am grateful to the Netherlands and all our other partners who support us in this endeavor.”

Zelenskyy added “We discussed the current political issues with Mark, including the approval of a new support package for Ukraine in the European Union, EUR 50 billion, a necessary and long-term package. This is our resilience. Additionally, we managed to discuss the preparation for a new Peace Formula meeting.”

*^{U.S. Patriot Missile Systems arrived in Ukraine as part of the American military aid to the country. (Image Credit: Twitter/@BMVg_Bundeswehr)}*

Ukrainian leadership is seeking additional support and weapons supply from its Western partners as the warring states face an ammunition shortage while continuing to fight the Russian invasion.