Russia Says That Its Su-35 Attack Aircraft Destroyed A Ukrainian Plane

Russia has said that its Su-35 attack aircraft have destroyed a Ukrainian plane.

The footage begins by showing a Russian aircraft preparing for takeoff before it can be seen taking to the skies.

It can then be seen flying high above the clouds before the footage cuts to what appears to be the plane's targeting system and a missile being fired.

The images then appear to show the plane landing back at base.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 10th February, along with a statement claiming: "The crew of the Su-35s of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed a plane of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"During the performance of combat missions in the special military operation zone, the crews of the Su-35s multipurpose fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces practised patrolling in a given area and covering the actions of bomber and attack aircraft, as well as army aviation helicopters during air strikes on military facilities and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Flights of Russian Aerospace Forces fighters were carried out with suspended missiles of various classes.

"During one of the sorties, an aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was detected and destroyed in a timely manner."

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 352nd day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 10th February 2023, Russia had lost about 135,740 personnel, 3,258 tanks, 6,471 armoured combat vehicles, 2,251 artillery units, 463 multiple launch rocket systems, 233 air defence systems, 295 warplanes, 286 helicopters, 1,970 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,126 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 211 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that several European Union leaders are prepared to provide his country with combat aircraft.

Zelensky said on Thursday: “Europe will be with us until our victory. I’ve heard it from a number of European leaders … about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including the aircraft.”

He added: “I have a number of bilaterals now, we are going to raise the issue of the fighter jets and other aircraft.”

The Ukrainian president also urged European leaders to deliver weaponry faster and begin EU membership discussions with Ukraine this year.

A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister said that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was looking into “whether we can provide fighter jets in the future”.

But the UK government also said that it would not send combat aircraft to Ukraine if this created risks to British safety.

Russia has reportedly launched a major new offensive in eastern Ukraine and is attempting a push near the town of Kreminna, according to the Ukrainian Governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai.

Haidai said on Thursday that there had been “maximum escalation”, adding: “So far they haven’t had any success. Our defenders have been able to hold them back completely.”

Russian drones and missiles have hit targets in southern and eastern Ukraine on Thursday night, with Serhiy Lysak, the Ukrainian military administrator for the Dnipropetrovsk region, saying that Shahed drones had been detected in the area.

Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine has intercepted Russian secret service plans to destroy Moldova.

Speaking in Brussels to EU leaders, Zelensky said that his services had intercepted evidence that “shows who, when and how was going to break the democracy of Moldova and establish control over Moldova.”

Zelensky said that he had immediately warned his Moldovan counterpart, President Maia Sandu.

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said on Thursday that the EU must continue to provide support to Ukraine, saying: “We understand that the coming weeks and months will be of decisive importance.”

He added: “Artillery, munitions, defence systems … you have told us exactly what you need and what you need now.”

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced new sanctions against Russia worth more than EUR 10 billion, which are geared towards targeting propagandists for Russian President Vladimir Putin.