The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated in recent days, with the two sides having exchanged fire in the air, accusing each other of losing Soviet-made warplanes. The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, claimed on social ** that the Ukrainian army shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers in one day and hit one Su-30 fighter in another operation. The Russian side retorted that Ukraine's claims were lies, and that in fact, the Russian army shot down three Ukrainian Su-27 fighters. There is a big difference between the claims of the two sides, and there is no third-party evidence to confirm which side's claims are true.
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Nikolai Oreshchuk posted on the social platform Telegram that Ukrainian air defense forces hit a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber near the city of Mariupol in the Donetsk region, which is controlled by Russian troops, and that the fighter had not returned to its station at that time, but he did not disclose further details. In addition, he said that in the direction of Odessa, the Ukrainian army carried out military operations against a Russian Su-30 fighter over the Black Sea, but it is not yet known whether it was hit.
Ukraine's Zelensky also said in his routine speech that night that the Ukrainian military shot down 3 Su-34 bombers in the Kherson region with missiles. He praised the air defense forces of the Ukrainian army in the Odessa region, saying that they shot down three Russian Su-34 bombers at one time, "which can let all Russian pilots know not to have any luck and no one can escape the blow."
Russia, for its part, denied and disdained Ukraine's claims. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement that Ukraine's claims were "ridiculous lies" to cover up the crushing defeat of Ukrainian forces in the air. He said that in two air exchanges on the 22nd and 24th, the Russian army shot down one and two Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets respectively, for a total of three. He also said that the Russian military has enough evidence to prove its claims, including radar records, pilot calls and the wreckage of the plane.
Su-34 and Su-27 are both fighters developed during the Soviet era, and the Su-34 is an improved fighter-bomber based on the Su-27, with supersonic flight ability and strong firepower. The Su-34 entered service in 2014 and has participated in the fighting in Syria and Ukraine. The Su-27 is a multi-role fighter with excellent maneuverability and air combat capabilities. The Su-27 entered service in 1985 and is one of the main fighters of the Soviet and Russian air forces.
At the moment, the two sides remain at a stalemate with no sign of peace.
Autumn and Winter Check-in Challenge