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“Yesterday, Russian air defense shot down two Russian fighter jets and two Russian helicopters,” Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuri Ignat said on Sunday afternoon. The statement was commented on social media by many Ukrainians with winking smileys, “Bild” reports. After all, it seems extremely unrealistic that Russia would shoot down a Su-35 high-tech jet, a Sukhoi Su-34 aircraft and two highly advanced variants of the Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter within a day.
Striking: all crashes of the flying objects took place in the Bryansk region, not far from the Ukrainian border. Russian war correspondents and military bloggers wonder how the Ukrainians managed to take out the helicopters and fighter jets on Saturday. Various theories spread in the media and on Telegram.
Theory 1: The Special Forces
One theory is that Ukrainian special forces entered the border area unnoticed. There they could have hit the Russian helicopters and fighter jets with shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. The Russian authorities seem to think so. They shouted “Operation Interception” on Saturday, “saboteurs who helped shoot down the machines” should be arrested this way.
What speaks against the theory: with shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles it is usually not possible to hit the jet fighters flying high in the sky. That no one saw the shooters – also unlikely.
Theory 2: The anti-aircraft system
Russian military specialists, on the other hand, offer a more coherent picture. As a result, Ukraine has moved a modern anti-aircraft system to the border. It should be in the Chernihiv region.
By Saturday afternoon, the system would have been activated and aligned in the direction of the Russian interior. In this way, it was possible to knock out four Russian aircraft in a matter of hours.
In the occupied city of Luhansk, the Ukrainians also managed to deal a significant blow to the Russians. About 100 kilometers east of the front, a chemical company and a meat processing plant were hit. Kremlin forces also maintain command posts and logistics centers in Luhansk. A warning from the Ukrainians: Russians beware!
Moscow has accused Kiev of using long-range Storm Shadow missiles recently supplied to Ukraine by the UK. With the missiles, the Ukrainians can actually reach any occupied place. A great advantage in view of the forthcoming and widely announced counter-offensive.
While Russian commentators ranted over the weekend, the Ukrainians reveled in their success. As with previous attacks in Russia, the Ukrainian military leadership has denied any responsibility. The Kremlin is still in the dark about Ukrainian capabilities. (nad)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
