Russian Forces Accidentally Shoot Down £80 Million SU-35 Fighter Jet in Ukraine Friendly Fire Incident
Russian Forces Mistakenly Down Their Own £80 Million Fighter Jet in Ukraine
Pro-war channels in Ukraine acknowledged the destruction of a warplane by a Russian S-300 air defense system, with the pilot presumed to have been killed in the process. A video purportedly showing the incident has been released, depicting an orange glow and flash in the sky, likely the moment the plane exploded upon impact with the missile.
This incident, if confirmed, represents another setback for Vladimir Putin, whose forces have faced a series of strikes from Ukraine, including the loss of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters just a week ago.
There has been no official confirmation of the incident so far, but comments from a Russian aviation blogger seemed to acknowledge the loss. The blogger posted a photo of the SU-35 with the message: “Eternal flight, brother.”
Ukrainian Telegram channel “Crimean Wind” also appeared to confirm the incident, stating, “Russian air defense vs. Russian Su-35 1:0. Russian soldiers used an S-300 missile to shoot down their plane near Tokmak. Work, brothers! Do not stop!”
According to an assessment by the British Ministry of Defense, Russia has lost approximately 90 planes since the beginning of the war against Ukraine. The assessment suggests that the viability of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ long-term tactical airpower is likely to degrade as the war continues, as they have been flying some combat aircraft types far more intensively than in peacetime.
This incident follows a devastating missile attack by Ukraine on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters, resulting in the death of a high-ranking Admiral, Viktor Sokolov, and 34 officers. The attack was reportedly a result of leaked top-secret details and unpaid salaries among naval officers.
In retaliation, Putin ordered a drone attack in the Black Sea port of Odesa, damaging a warehouse, charring dozens of trucks, and injuring two drivers. The attack led to the suspension of the ferry service between Romania and Ukraine. Russian forces also targeted the Izmail area in the Odesa region, aiming to disrupt Ukraine’s ability to export grain.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by Russian forces in Ukraine, highlighting the potential for further unintended consequences in this ongoing conflict.
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