The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had shot down three Ukrainian fighter jets within the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Russian Air Force destroyed two Sukhoi Su-27s and one Mikoyan MiG-29. Additionally, Russian air defenses neutralized a U.S.-made HIMARS rocket, four French-made Hammer guided bombs, and 55 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Russia also reported that Ukraine lost more than 2,200 soldiers and significant military equipment on the front lines during this period. Among the equipment lost were U.S.-made M777 howitzers and British L-119 artillery pieces.
Ukraine’s Air Power is Weakening
According to Forbes, Ukraine has lost 90 fighter jets since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022. While Ukraine has been trying to bolster its air power with Western-supplied F-16s, it lost its first F-16 in combat last month. The cause of the incident, which resulted in the death of Ukrainian pilot Aleksey Mes, has not yet been disclosed.
Russia continues to consider F-16s as legitimate targets and has warned that even planes taking off from NATO airbases could be struck.
