Russia claims it has shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet in the hotly contested Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.
The images, obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), appear to show a montage of various operations conducted by their forces. For a few seconds, the remains of what appears to have been a fighter jet can be seen on screen, with the aircraft wreck lying in a field.
The Russian MoD said in a statement Monday, June 6, as part of a wider briefing given by Major General Igor Konashenkov, 56, the chief spokesman for the Russian MoD: “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
“High-precision long-range air-based missiles of the Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed industrial buildings of the smithy-mechanical plant on the outskirts of Lozovaya (Kharkov Region), where the AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] armored vehicles were being rebuilt and repaired.
“High-precision air-based missiles have hit four AFU command posts as well as 15 areas of Ukrainian manpower and military equipment concentration.
“Operational-tactical and army aviation have hit 73 areas of AFU manpower and military equipment concentration.”
The Russian MoD also said in its statement that Russian forces had destroyed a US-built counter-battery radar station.
The Russian MoD said: “The attacks have resulted in the elimination of more than 150 nationalists, three missile-artillery depots and one fuel depot near Kodem (Donetsk People’s Republic), eight tanks and armored vehicles, one Grad multiple rocket launcher, one field artillery battery, 10 special vehicles, and one US-made counter-battery radar station (AN/TPQ-50) near Seversk (Donetsk People’s Republic).”
In the Russian version of the statement, the Russian MoD said that their “air defense systems shot down a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Slavyansk (Donetsk People’s Republic).” However, in the English-language version of the same statement, they said that the downed aircraft was an Su-29.
It is unclear if this was a translation error, but the Sukhoi Su-29 is typically used to train pilots in aerobatics and for use in aerobatics competitions and air shows.
The Russian MoD also said: “Also, 13 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down near Yasinovataya, Stavka (Donetsk People’s Republic), Volcheyarovka, Boroven’ka (Lugansk People’s Republic), Balakleya, Glubokoe, Verbovka, Liptsy, Mikhailovka (Kharkov Region) and Tokmak (Zaporozhye Region).”
The MoD added: “Missile troops and artillery have hit 431 areas of manpower and military equipment concentration, and 34 firing positions of artillery and mortar units.
“The attacks have resulted in the elimination of more than 300 nationalists, 10 tanks, two Grad multiple rocket launchers, 17 special vehicles, 17 field artillery mounts and mortars, as well as three AFU missiles-artillery weapons’ depots near Gorlovka.
“In total, 190 Ukrainian aircraft and 129 helicopters, 1,127 unmanned aerial vehicles, 330 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,424 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 473 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,795 field artillery and mortars, as well as 3,446 units of special military vehicles were destroyed during the operation.”
We contacted Russian and Ukrainian officials for comment but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation.” June 6 marks the 103rd day of the war.
From February 24 to June 6, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 31,250 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,386 tanks, 3,400 armored fighting vehicles, 690 artillery systems, 207 multiple launch rocket systems, 96 anti-aircraft systems, 211 warplanes, 176 helicopters, 2,395 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 551 unmanned aerial vehicles, 53 units of special equipment, and 125 cruise missiles.
The United Kingdom has announced that it is sending its long-range missiles to Ukraine for the first time.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of more attacks in Ukraine if the West sends long-range weapons.
Russian missiles struck Kyiv on Sunday, June 5 in the first assault on the Ukrainian capital in weeks.
Ukraine is claiming that it has retaken half of the key eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, where fighting has been focused recently.
And the Ukrainian Armed Forces said earlier today that Russian forces are continuing their push towards the city of Sloviansk, near Sievierodonetsk.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces are “holding out” as Russian invaders attempt to seize the city of Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk region.
Serhiy Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, said: “The Russians are storming Sievierodonetsk… Street fights are ongoing there. However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding the defense. The head of state, who visited our advanced positions in the Luhansk region at night, was convinced of this.”
