Vladimir Putin’s military faced yet another setback in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Reports from RadarOnline.com revealed that a $50 million fighter jet belonging to the Kremlin was shot down by Ukrainian forces over the Black Sea.
Footage of the incident captured the moment the fighter jet plummeted into the sea after launching missiles at Ukrainian targets near Russian-occupied Crimea. The shocking footage, shared by Ukraine, showed the Russian Su-30SM fighter jet in Ukrainian crosshairs before it crashed into the water.
Prior to being shot down, the Russian aircraft deployed four of its “Kh-31P supersonic anti-radar missiles” at Ukrainian targets. Following the assault, reports from Russian Telegram channels suggested that the aircraft experienced technical difficulties before crashing. However, Ukrainian officials confirmed that their special unit successfully destroyed the Russian combat aircraft.
Sadly, the two Russian pilots onboard the jet were unable to eject and were declared dead after an unsuccessful search mission. Debris from the crash, including a wing, was later recovered off the coast of Crimea, along with a large oil slick in the water. This incident marks the twelfth Russian aircraft lost in precision airstrikes by Ukrainian forces.
The loss of the fighter jet comes amidst other significant losses suffered by Putin’s forces in the Kursk border region. Ukraine launched a large incursion in the area, occupying substantial portions of Russian territory. Additionally, recent drone assaults on Moscow have further strained Putin’s military capabilities.
In response to growing tensions, Putin issued a warning to NATO, stating that the U.S. would be at war with Russia if Ukraine’s restrictions on long-range missiles were lifted. NATO countries have been considering allowing Ukraine to use Western long-range missiles against Russia, a move that could escalate the conflict even further.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify, the implications of these recent events remain uncertain. The tragic loss of the fighter jet and its crew serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war, as both sides continue to engage in a deadly struggle for control and power.
