Despite a shortage of weapons due to delays in Western deliveries, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported 13 Russian warplanes have been shot down in the past few days, a sharp increase compared to previous months, on Wednesday, the 28th of February, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
Ukraine says a total of 342 Russian aircraft and 325 helicopters have been shot down since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, these figures have not been independently verified and Russia has not commented.
“One more! In addition to the one this morning,” the Ukrainian General Staff announced in a Facebook post on the afternoon of the 27th of February. On X, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence reported that
ten planes have been destroyed in ten days.
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said that the downed Russian aircraft were Su-34 bombers and, in view of the significant losses, called on Russia to reassess its “aviation meat grinder”, referring to Russian military tactics characterised by throwing large numbers of soldiers into battle without regard for their lives.
And on the morning of the 29th of February, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence reported that yet another Su-34 fighter-bomber had been shot down: “A new day – a new destroyed Russian plane.”
A new day—a new destroyed russian plane.
Ukrainian warriors shot down a Su-34 fighter-bomber in the eastern direction.Maybe russia has started using the tactics of kamikaze planes ? pic.twitter.com/e6kOGVYyBZ
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 29, 2024
And later, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence on X reported another downed Su-34, saying that 13 Russian planes have been destroyed in 12 days.
Ukraine claims that between the 17th and 27th of February it has shot down some of the best aircraft the Russian Air Force has.
Ukraine claims to have shot down a rare A-50 military spy plane, which if confirmed would be the second such plane in a month. The other Russian aircraft that Ukraine claims to have destroyed in this period are eight Su-34 and two S-35 fighters.
The increasing number of Russian aircraft shot down in Ukraine suggests that US-supplied Patriot missiles could be used more aggressively. Analysts believe that Ukraine could be deploying Patriot launchers closer to the front line, indicating a change in strategy.
The number of aircraft shot down could also be attributed to the more active deployment of Russian aircraft and Ukraine’s improved air defence capabilities.
However, without precise information on the resources deployed on the battlefield, it is difficult to fully explain this increase, but it is noteworthy all the same, the BBC writes.
Also read: Zelenskyy says 31 000 Ukrainian soldiers have fallen in two years of Russian invasion
Also read: Security expert: we have to be prepared for bigger hybrid threats from Russia
Follow us on Facebook and X!