Russian milbloggers report a mysterious aircraft downing, speculating Ukrainian F-16 involvement—potentially the second such incident since 12 October.
The latest incident reportedly occurred on 10 October, when Russian aircraft dropped a FAB-500 bomb near Neklyudovo village in Russia's Belgorod Oblast.
The loss of Russia's S-70 heavy drone exposed significant technical limitations, operational challenges, and discrepancies between Russian claims and the UAV's actual capabilities.
Ukrainian HUR soldiers successfully destroyed a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet over the Black Sea using MANPADS on 11 September. The aircraft was based in Saky, occupied Crimea.
Russia's Tu-22M3 strategic bomber fleet is diminishing due to production cessation since 1993, recent losses in Ukraine, accidents, and modernization difficulties.
Russian-occupied Crimea has five military airfields, but two are reportedly without aircraft. Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Pletenchuk states Russian occupiers may have relocated planes to Russia due to logistical challenges in fuel and supply provision.
Ukraine says it has downed a Russian Su-25 attack jet in Donetsk Oblast. Separately, a Russian Su-34 bomber crashes in North Ossetia during a training flight, killing both pilots.
Dispersal of around 40 Russian aircraft from Kushchovskaya airfield due to Ukrainian attack will increase sortie lengths, fuel costs, and strain on aircrews, per UK intelligence.
Ukraine's April 27 drone strike on Russia's Kushchevskaya airfield disrupted Russian air operations, likely forcing Russia to disperse its aircraft and reallocate air defenses, impacting its aerial bombardment campaign against Ukraine, per UK intelligence.
Ukraine's military intelligence chief reveals details of the successful operation to down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber, confirms the use of the S-200 surface-to-air missile.
Ukraine claims shooting down a Russian Tu-22M strategic bomber. Intelligence sources say Ukraine used the old S-200 SAM system to hit the aircraft from 300 kilometers away.
Russia paints decoy fighter jets at air bases, but helicopters landing on fakes undermine deception, revealing true aircraft numbers, per UK intelligence.
In the Donbas, Russia is pursuing a scorched earth policy aimed at flattening Ukraine's defensive positions through overwhelming aerial firepower - precision-guided bombs from jets alongside sustained rocket strikes from helicopter gunships, as per the Ukrainian military spokesperson.
Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk says Ukrainian missileers engaged two Russian aircraft in the east, downing one Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft, which raises reported recent Russian plane losses to 15.