Russia Stated To Have Shot Down Two Ukrainian Mig-29 Fighter Jets And One Su-25 Fighter Jet

Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, reported on April 17 that Russian air defence systems shot down two Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jets in Kharkiv region and one unmanned aircraft near Pvalograd.

Russian precision air-to-surface missiles also attacked Ukrainian munitions and fuel stores near the cities of Barvenkovo, also in Kharkiv (in northeastern Ukraine), and Dobropolye, in the province, according to Konashenkov (in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine).

According to Konashenkov, Russian forces have destroyed 136 fighter planes, 471 drones, 249 air defence systems, 2,308 tanks and other armoured vehicles, 254 multiple rocket launcher systems, 998 cannons, and 2,171 special military vehicles since the military operation in Ukraine began on February 24.

However, the Ukrainian side has yet to provide any information or respond to Russian MOD assertions. The MiG-29 is one of the Ukrainian Air Force’s major fighters. The Ukrainian Air Force possessed 210 combat aircraft, including 98 fighter jets, before the war with Russia broke out.

However, if the reports are genuine, the loss of two additional MiG-29s could force Ukraine to further reduce its air combat capability.

Ukraine recently requested that Moldova sell or give MiG-29 fighter jets to Kyiv, but Moldova declined to do so in order to avoid escalating tensions with Russia. Moldova presently has six MiG-29s, all of which are in good working order.

A Su-25 aircraft and eleven drones were also shot down by the Russian army, according to the Russian defence ministry.

“Russian air defence capabilities shot down three Ukrainian combat aircraft: two MiG-29 fighters near Izyum and a Su-25 plane near Avdeyevka,” a spokesman for Russian Defense Minister Igor Konashenkov stated.

“Around Klimovo, Nevelskoye, Novotroitskoye, Izyum, Panteleimonovka, Sladkovodnoye, and Yasnoye, Russian forces shot down 11 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.” They also intercepted ten large-caliber shells fired by Ukrainian multiple launch rocket systems against the Chernobayevka hamlet, according to the general.