Ukrainian forces have successfully shot down a Russian Su-25 ground attack aircraft in the eastern Donetsk region, the Ukrainian military announced on Wednesday. The incident took place in the Kramatorsk sector, where the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade targeted the jet with a Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS) as it attempted to engage Ukrainian positions.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed the downing of the aircraft, celebrating the achievement on social media and commending the brigade for their effective action. The Khortytsia group of forces, operating in the Donetsk area, reported that the Russian jet had been attempting to attack Ukrainian troops when it was intercepted.
Footage shared by the 28th Brigade on Telegram shows the moment the Su-25, also known as the “Frogfoot,” was struck and exploded in mid-air before crashing to the ground. The fate of the aircraft’s crew remains unknown, but the destruction of the jet represents another significant loss for Russia’s air capabilities in the ongoing conflict.
The 28th Mechanized Brigade released a video of the destruction of a russian Su-25 jet aircraft. pic.twitter.com/wqdWx8Y1CD
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 28, 2024
The Soviet-designed Su-25 is a heavily armored aircraft used primarily for ground attacks and close air support. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have deployed the Su-25 extensively throughout the conflict, making its destruction a notable event in the broader air war over Ukraine.
As of August 28, Ukrainian forces have reported the destruction of 368 Russian fixed-wing aircraft since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The conflict has seen significant losses on both sides, with independent analysis from the Dutch open-source intelligence platform Oryx confirming the destruction of 112 Russian aircraft and 94 Ukrainian aircraft since the war began.
The downing of the Su-25 comes amid continued hostilities in the region, where Ukrainian forces are working to repel Russian advances and defend key positions in Donetsk and elsewhere. This latest success underscores the ongoing air battles that play a critical role in the broader conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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