Plot far from the front: Ukraine: Russian warplanes shot down

Plot far from the front
Ukraine: Russian warplanes shot down

February 19, 2024, 4:13 pm

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The loss of the strategically important city of Avdiivka was serious, but Ukrainian troops managed a coup. According to their own reports, they shot down two fighter jets several kilometers from the front line. Meanwhile, President Zelensky is trying to boost morale.

Shortly before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to eastern Ukraine, the country's air force chief Mykola Oleshchuk announced the downing of two Russian fighter jets. Su-34 and Su-35C aircraft reportedly crashed in occupied Donetsk region near Mariupol. According to Kiev, the Russian Air Force lost five fighter jets within three days. There was no confirmation that the firing was from the Russian side. The information cannot be independently verified first.

However, videos are circulating on social media showing something huge floating off the coast in the Black Sea and a helicopter flying in its direction. It is unclear where the photos were taken and what was floating in the water. If the shooting actually took place in the area around the occupied city of Mariupol, it would be 75 kilometers from the front line. According to Dutch portal Oryx The Russian Air Force has lost more than 100 fighter jets since the invasion began nearly two years ago. There are also around 135 helicopters.

Ukraine doesn't have many fighter jets now. For this reason, the government has long sought to acquire Western fighter jets such as the F-16. Many Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training on machines in many countries. The shooting is a minor success story after years of fierce competition from the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka forced the fighters to retreat.

For his part, President Zelensky tried to boost the morale of the troops and visited the front in the northeast. After returning from the Munich Security Conference, he visited a command post in the region around the city of Kubyansk. Honored some players. “I am happy to see you today, to greet you, and on behalf of all Ukrainians, the people of Ukraine, to thank you for doing such a great job every day, for the state, for our families, for freedom and for our families. Sovereignty. I wish you all success,” Zelensky said.