Kovaliov added that the Russian Su-34 aircraft was downed on 29 January.

Earlier, on 14 January, Ukrainian forces hit Russia’s valuable A-50 early warning and control aircraft and IL-22 airborne control center, with the former crashing near Berdiansk, killing its crew and personnel, and the latter sustaining damage but managing to land at a civilian airfield. This attack marked the Russian Air Force’s most devastating loss since the start of the all-out war. 

Late last year, Ukraine reportedly used the Patriot SAM system to ambush and destroy three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers in southern Ukraine.

According to the estimations of Ukraine’s General Staff, Russia lost 332 fixed-wing assets and 324 helicopters in Ukraine as of 30 January 2024:

Read also:

• Russian IL-76 aircraft crashes in Belgorod Oblast, Russia claims it carried Ukrainian POWs
• ISW: Russian air operations drop over Azov Sea after Ukraine strikes hit radar plane, command aircraft
• Russia reportedly loses valuable AWACS A-50 aircraft over Azov Sea (updates)
• Frontline report: Ukraine moves Patriot system closer to frontline, resulting in three Russian aircraft downed