Amidst mounting pressure on ground forces in the east, Ukraine announced on Thursday that it has shot down a record number of Russian aircraft in February.
The statements were not verified by AFP, and Russian authorities have not responded to inquiries.
“Our sky defenders have achieved the greatest results in downing Russian jets since October 2022,” the Ukrainian defence ministry said.
It said 10 SU-34, two Su-35 fighter jets and an A-50 aircraft had been shot down in February.
Ground forces commander Oleksandr Pavliuk reported that the count includes three crashed Su-34s that were “launching guided missiles at our infantry positions in the east.”
In January, Ukraine claimed to have shot down a second A-50 aircraft.
Although they put the blame on friendly fire, Russian military bloggers had mentioned the destruction of the A-50 aircraft, however the accusations are difficult to substantiate.
Russian military bloggers, who have sources in the armed forces, often publish exclusive information, contrary to government sources and Russian state media outlets.
Two A-50 downings were also cited by the British Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, with a statement stating that the occurrences “forced Russian decision makers to consider safer operating areas.”
Ukraine declared two years into the invasion that its top goal was to “throw Russia from the skies.”
Ukraine is anticipating the delivery of F-16 fighter jets from its friends in the West.
