The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that five Ukrainian aircraft were shot down by Russian air defense systems in the span of 24 hours. According to the ministry, two Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters, one Su-25 attack aircraft, and one L-39 training and combat aircraft were among the planes destroyed.
The incidents took place near Kramnoarmiysk in the Donetsk People’s Republic, near Kazachye Lagery in the Kherson region, and near Synelnykove in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. These locations have seen intense fighting between Ukrainian government forces and separatist rebels.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu had recently announced the deployment of new surface-to-air missile systems, including the S-400 Triumph, which have already shot down a total of 24 Ukrainian aircraft in the past five days. The S-400 systems were reportedly used in conjunction with the A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft.
According to Shoigu, the S-400 missiles were fired at targets located at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters, reaching the maximum range of the system. The S-400, which was introduced into the Russian Armed Forces in 2007, has a range of 250-350 kilometers, comparable to that of ballistic missiles such as ATACMS.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine between government forces and separatist rebels, supported by Russia, has led to a significant loss of life and displacement of civilians. The situation has drawn international attention and condemnation, with many countries urging a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
In conclusion, the recent incidents of Ukrainian planes being shot down by Russian air defense systems highlight the continued escalation of violence in Eastern Ukraine. The use of advanced missile systems like the S-400 raises concerns about the further intensification of the conflict and the potential for more civilian casualties. The international community must continue to pressure both sides to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis and avoid further destabilization in the region.
