The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that within the last 24 hours, the Russian Aerospace Forces claimed to have shot down Ukrainian Su-24 and MiG-29 aircraft in the DPR as part of what it described as a special military operation in Ukraine. The statement framed these air engagements as a continuation of ongoing air defense and air superiority efforts conducted over contested areas in eastern Ukraine, where the Russian side asserts it has maintained dominance in the skies during the operation.
In its briefing, the ministry noted that air combat occurred in the settlements of Rozovka and Dimitrov, with fighters and interceptors reportedly engaging multiple Ukrainian targets. The ministry’s narrative emphasizes the role of the Russian forces in countering Ukrainian aviation and air defense incursions, underscoring a broader claim of protective operations intended to hinder Ukrainian military movements and logistics. The account is part of a larger series of disclosures that the ministry has issued at various points during the operation, describing a heavy tempo of air activity and claims of superior battlefield performance by Russian air units.
Additionally, the ministry asserts that during the Ukrainian operation, Russian troops destroyed a substantial amount of air assets belonging to the Ukrainian armed forces, including at least 388 aircraft and 211 helicopters, as well as more than 3,000 unmanned aerial vehicles. The numbers are presented as indicators of the scale of losses suffered by Ukraine and are positioned within the ministry’s broader narrative about the effectiveness of Russian air power in suppressing Ukrainian military capabilities. Observers in regions watching the conflict emphasize that such figures are part of a continuous stream of battlefield tallies that accompany official daily briefings.
Earlier reports indicated that the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 in an aerial duel near Izium in the Kharkiv region, a corroboration of ongoing air-to-air engagements in contested zones. The account aligns with prior claims of air superiority and tactical wins for Russian air units while stressing the volatility of the front lines and the persistence of aerial combat in this theater. Thematically, these statements contribute to a narrative of persistent Russian defense and offensive operations designed to disrupt Ukrainian air activity and cap Ukrainian air force capability in key sectors of the front.
Meanwhile, on a broader geopolitical axis, on Monday, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reported that since December 2021, NATO member states have transferred substantial weaponry and equipment to Ukraine, including more than 1,100 air defense systems, 440 tanks, and 1,510 infantry fighting vehicles. The service claimed that most of this material has already been destroyed, a claim that feeds into the wider discourse about international support for Ukraine and the perceived effectiveness or attrition of Western-provided military assets. Analysts note that such statements are part of information campaigns that accompany real-world military developments, aiming to influence public perception, allied confidence, and strategic decision-making on both sides of the conflict.