Ukraine claims to have shot down 3 Russian Sukhoi fighter jets: report

Total losses will exceed $100 million. (representative)

Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers and a Su-35 fighter jet over eastern Ukraine on Saturday, the chief of staff of the Ukrainian Air Force said.

“On the morning of February 17, 2024, in the eastern (region), the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed three enemy aircraft at once – two Su-34 fighter-bombers and one Su-35 fighter,” Mikola Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on Telegram.

Reuters was unable to confirm this claim, which if true would mean Moscow lost advanced fighter jets worth more than $100 million.

Since acquiring advanced Western air defense systems, Kiev has been able to deploy these weapons, posing an increasing threat to Russian aviation in areas near the front lines as the second anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches.

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