According to the Wall Street ** US report on December 22**, the Ukrainian military claimed to have successfully shot down three Su-34 fighter-bombers of the Russian Air Force in a "well-planned operation". This is considered the most successful Ukrainian operation against Russian air power since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Ukrainian Air Force noted that the three Su-34 fighters were shot down in southern Ukraine that afternoon and had established positions east of the Dnieper River.
Russian officials have not yet responded to the results announced by the Ukrainian side. However, the Russian social media account, which has been following the war situation, acknowledged the losses suffered by the Russian army and claimed that the downed fighters may have been shot down by the "Patriot" air defense system given to Ukraine by the United States**. According to the Russian side's social media account, these Su-34 fighter-bombers may be on a mission to drop bombs on the positions of the Ukrainian army on the east bank of the Dnieper River. The Russian side found the bodies of the pilot and the pilot after the shooting.
Wall Street ** notes that Ukraine is currently armed with 5 Patriot air defense systems from the United States, Germany and the Netherlands. In May this year, the Ukrainian army used this "Patriot" air defense system to carry out aggressive actions against the Russian Air Force, shooting down five Russian aircraft, including Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-35 fighters and Mi-8 Mi-17***. The three downed Su-34 fighter jets are seen as an important victory for Ukraine, which has experienced many military setbacks in recent times. Ukraine's counterattack this year has not broken through the Russian line as planned, and the Russian army is currently in the midst of a counterattack plan and is making progress.
The BBC reported that Ukraine's ** Zelensky thanked the Ukrainian soldiers who shot down the Russian fighter jet in his speech on the evening of the 22nd, and announced that the Netherlands was ready to provide Ukraine with the support of 18 F-16 fighter jets.
According to the American "Power" **War Zone" column, a number of ** social media ** that allegedly showed the crash site of the Su-34 fighter after it was shot down spread rapidly. These ** may have been taken by Russian personnel during a search and rescue mission. The column further notes that the Su-34 fighter-bomber has been Russia's workhorse in carrying out ground attack missions in conflicts. If the Russian army loses three fighters of this type at one time, it will be of considerable significance. The column pointed out that the Russian army had tried to equip the Su-34 fighter-bomber with non-directional bombs equipped with gliders to enhance its long-range attack and payload capabilities. And now, the deployment of the Patriot air defense system to more advanced areas may be the solution to this new challenge.