Ukraine claimed to have shot down a Russian strategic bomber, but Moscow officials stated that the plane crashed due to a malfunction after a combat mission. Previous claims of shooting down Russian warplanes during the ongoing war have met with silence or denials from Moscow. The Russian air force is more powerful than Ukraine’s, but Western-provided missile systems pose a significant threat to Russian aviation. Ukrainian officials are calling for more Western air defense systems to prevent civilian casualties in airstrikes.
Russian missiles struck cities in the central Dnipro region of Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of eight people, including children, and injuring 28 others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more Western air defense systems, citing Israel’s successful defense against Iranian attacks as an example. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the need to prevent children from being killed in airstrikes in modern Europe. Ukrainian officials believe a major Russian offensive is imminent in the summer, as the conflict continues to be a grinding war of attrition.
Ukraine claimed to have brought down the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber with anti-aircraft missiles, a plane commonly used to fire missiles at Ukrainian targets from within Russian airspace. The Russian defense ministry stated that the plane crashed in a deserted area in the southern region of Stavropol, far from the Ukrainian border. Three crew members were rescued after ejecting from the aircraft, but one pilot died. In recent months, Ukraine has claimed to have shot down other Russian military aircraft, including fighter jets and early warning and control planes.
Russian forces conducted a combined aerial attack using missiles and drones, with Ukraine intercepting all drones and most of the missiles. The attack hit urban areas and train infrastructure, resulting in casualties, including a railway employee who was a mother of two teenage sons. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen repeated instances of military engagement and civilian casualties, prompting calls for increased support from Western allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and protect its population from further harm. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for a major Russian offensive looming in the near future.
