Ukrainian Armed Forces seize opportunity to take down Russian aircraft on frontlines

He said it on the Espreso TV channel.

Kovalenko stated, "The Russians have acknowledged the downing of their planes, attempting to attribute it to friendly fire or their air defense. These planes are front-line fighter-bombers deployed for striking the front line with guided aerial bombs. Previously, countering them was impossible since we lacked anti-aircraft assets with a radius exceeding 15-20 km on the engagement line. The Russians exploited this knowledge, frequently deploying airplanes."

Kovalenko highlighted that the Armed Forces have now discovered a means to neutralize enemy aircraft on the battle line.

"Russian planes are being taken out at distances much greater than their typical 30-40 km. We've found a way to destroy planes on the front lines. The Russians have at least 10,000 of these aerial bombs left from Soviet-era reserves. But if the bombs are inexhaustible, the jets carrying them are not. The Su-34 and Su-35 losses are a significant blow to the Russian Air Force," he said. 

• On Saturday, February 17, the Ukrainian Air Force successfully downed three enemy aircraft simultaneously – two Su-34 fighter-bombers and a Su-35 fighter.
• The following day, Sunday, February 18, another Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber was reported downed by the Ukrainian Air Force. Additionally, during a night attack by the Russian Federation, Ukrainian air defense forces eliminated 12 Shahed drones and an enemy missile.
• Subsequently, Ukrainian fighters successfully shot down two more Russian planes.
• By February 21, the Ukrainian military had destroyed another Russian Su-34 fighter jet, marking the seventh enemy aircraft eliminated in a week.