The Russian Ministry of Defense released a detailed update via its official Telegram channel, outlining a multi-day sequence of engagements in which Ukrainian air forces allegedly suffered significant losses. The ministry reported that between 25 November and 2 December, eight Ukrainian aircraft and one helicopter were brought down while operating within the area of responsibility described by Russian defense authorities. The figures reflect a series of interceptions attributed to Russia’s air defense network, with five Mikoyan MiG-29s, two Sukhoi Su-27s, and one Sukhoi Su-25 listed among the downed fixed-wing aircraft, alongside a Mi-8 helicopter, according to the ministry.
In a separate disclosure from 24 November, representatives of the Ministry of Defense reiterated the claim that Russian air defense systems had eliminated a MiG-29 fighter and an Mi-8 helicopter belonging to the Ukrainian Air Force within a seven-day timeframe. These statements form part of a broader narrative presented by Moscow about the progression and aftermath of the special military operation that it has described as ongoing since its inception.
Looking at the broader tally presented by the ministry, the report asserts extensive cumulative losses on the Ukrainian side since the start of the operation. The numbers cited include 545 aircraft and 256 helicopters destroyed, along with 9,348 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 anti-aircraft missile systems, and 13,687 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles. The figures also claim 1,187 combat vehicles equipped with multiple launch rocket systems have been eliminated. These tallies are framed by the ministry as indicators of the campaign’s impact across air, ground, and air-defense domains.
Additional updates from late November indicate continued action with a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle reportedly downed over the Bryansk region, an area frequently referenced in Russian official communications as a zone affected by the ongoing operations and related countermeasures. Earlier reports also claimed that a number of Ukrainian aircraft were destroyed in the LPR as part of ongoing air defense activities.
Observers note that the figures released by the Russian Ministry of Defense represent the official line from Moscow and remain unverified by independent sources within the public domain. In wartime reporting, such updates are often issued through official channels and are frequently met with scrutiny from international observers and other states. As with similar statements, readers may find it useful to compare these claims with independent monitoring efforts and to consider the broader operational context, including the nature of air defense systems, the conditions under which engagements occurred, and the reliability of post-incident assessments.