Ukraine's military, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, claims to have downed three Russian Su-34 fighters in southern Ukraine, marking a significant feat in the ongoing conflict since February 2022. Although the Russian military has not commented, Russian bloggers and analysts suspect that U.S.-provided Patriot missiles were likely involved. The incident remains unverified by independent sources like Reuters.
23 December 2023 · 08:27 UTC
Commander Mykola Oleshchuk and spokesperson Yuri Ihnat touted the operation's success, with Zelenskiy commending the Odesa anti-aircraft unit for their achievement in the strategic Kherson region, which Ukraine has been reclaiming. Experts suggest that Patriots could have targeted the jets from across the Dnipro River, as their range can reach high-altitude targets up to 100 miles away. Despite fewer recent Ukrainian victories, Zelenskiy refutes the idea of a stalemate, contrary to General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi's comments on the war's pace and strategy.