Ukraine claims to have shot down 3 more Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers

Ukraine said last week that Russia had lost six warplanes in three days. (representative)

Kyiv:

Ukraine’s military said on Thursday it had shot down three more Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers, its latest achievement against Moscow’s air force.

Army Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi said on the Telegram messaging application: “After successful strikes against enemy aircraft on the night of February 29, two more Russian aircraft were destroyed: Avdievka and Mariu Su-34 fighter-bombers in the Bol area.”

Russia, which launched a sweeping invasion of Ukraine two years ago, had no immediate comment on Sirsky’s remarks. Reuters could not immediately confirm his comments.

Avdievka in eastern Ukraine fell to Russian forces this month after a long battle. Russia took full control of the southeastern port city of Mariupol in May 2022.

The Ukrainian military said last week that Russia had lost six warplanes in three days.

Since acquiring advanced Western air defense systems, the Ukrainian military has posed a greater threat to Russian aviation in areas near the front lines, despite recent setbacks on the eastern battlefield.

Kiev accuses Moscow of using Su-34s to attack civilian targets, particularly in the southern Kherson region, and to attack Ukrainian front lines.

Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, although many people were killed in the attacks.

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