Work on Russian planes conducted almost daily: Ukrainian Air Force
Photo: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (facebook.com/yuriy.ignat)
The defense forces continue to operate almost daily against enemy aircraft at long distances. They have the necessary tools for this, reports Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat.
"Planes are being destroyed both on the southern and eastern fronts. We have tools that are practically in use every day. The occupiers now understand that surprises await them on either front. Operations are conducted almost daily. You've seen the amplitude. Our systems are active, and the enemy no longer feels as free as before," Ihnat explained.
According to the Air Force spokesman, the additional tools our soldiers have received are insufficient to cover the vast front line. However, they are sufficient to surprise the enemy where they least expect it or where they are most audacious.
He also added that planes are being destroyed at very long distances, making it difficult to confirm details like pilot fatalities.
"We would like to see pilots, whether they eject or not, or the aircraft itself if it crashes. But at distances of 100 kilometers or more deep into enemy territory, it's unrealistic to see unless something leaks from enemy resources," Ihnat explained.
A-50 absent from the sky for the sixth day
As noted by the Air Force spokesman, the destruction of enemy aircraft and the presence of long-range complexes among our soldiers are significant psychological factors for Russian pilots.
"By the way, today marks the sixth day without the A-50 over the Sea of Azov. It's quite a good and pleasant fact for us that the occupiers don't know how to use those planes further when they could go one by one 'behind the Russian ship,'" Ihnat said.
Destruction of Russian aircraft
Over the past two weeks, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed numerous Russian aircraft:
- on February 17, the Air Force destroyed three Russian aircraft - two Su-34 fighter-bombers and one Su-35 fighter;
- on February 18, the Ukrainian Armed Forces "landed" a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the east;
- on February 19, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk announced that the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down two more Russian aircraft in the east;
- another Su-34 was "landed" by the military on February 21;
- on February 23, a Russian A-50 aircraft was shot down over the Sea of Azov. This is the second A-50 destroyed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the beginning of the war;
- another two Su-34s were shot down on February 27;
- on February 29, as Oleshchuk explained, our military destroyed a Su-34 on the Eastern front and two more Su-34s on the Avdiivka and Mariupol fronts;
- according to the General Staff, yesterday, March 1, our soldiers destroyed another Su-34.
