Ukrainian forces claimed the downing of three Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft on the southern front, marking a significant success in the ongoing 22-month war, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and military officials. The Russian military remained silent on the incident, but Russian bloggers acknowledged the losses. Analysts speculated that US-supplied Patriot missiles might have been utilized in the engagement. However, these reports are yet to be independently verified.
In a separate development, Ukraine reportedly shot down 24 out of 28 Shahed drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack. The drones caused damage to residential buildings in Kyiv and an infrastructure facility and grain warehouse in southern regions. Two people were injured in Kyiv when a drone hit an apartment block.
Amid rising tensions, Russia mentioned intercepting five Ukrainian drones south of Moscow within an hour, with four intercepted over the Kaluga region and one destroyed in the Moscow region.
On the diplomatic front, Russia threatened to sever ties with the US if Washington confiscated Russian assets frozen over the Ukrainian conflict. The Kremlin emphasized that it would respond in kind and consider seizing western assets if such actions were taken. Meanwhile, Russia expressed readiness to retaliate swiftly if the US deploys short- and medium-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
In a gesture of support, the Dutch government announced the dispatch of 18 F-16 jets to Ukraine after discussions between President Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
However, internal challenges persisted as a senior Ukrainian defense ministry official was arrested on suspicion of embezzling €36m for the purchase of artillery shells. Prosecutors revealed that the official had manipulated purchases at inflated prices, contributing to corruption concerns within Ukraine’s defense ministry. Ukrainian forces claimed
In response to the conflict, the US declared intentions to impose sanctions on foreign banks supporting Russia’s war efforts, signaling a renewed effort to exert economic pressure on Moscow. Meanwhile, the Kremlin dismissed reports by the Wall Street Journal regarding the orchestrated plane crash of mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin as “pulp fiction.”
Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, visited Kyiv to present an aid package for Ukraine in what marks his first official foreign visit.