In what can only be described as a remarkable feat, Ukraine claims to have taken down five Russian warplanes in less than three days. This kill streak began with the destruction of three Su-34 fighter-bombers on December 22, with the fourth being announced on December 24 near the city of Mariupol. The fifth plane, an Su-30 fighter, was said to have been destroyed over the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleschuk, couldn’t hide his excitement at the success of his team. Upon hearing the news of the fourth Su-34 being taken down, he took to Telegram to write “Merry Christmas!” Such was their confidence that they even dared the Russian military to attempt a rescue mission, should any pilots survive.
Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, celebrated the takedowns with a message of his own. His emoji-laden message showed just how ecstatic he was at their achievement.
Despite the Ukrainian air force being overshadowed by its Russian counterpart, they are known to be highly skilled and proficient. Their recent success, however, has been a spectacular display of their capability. Destroying five planes in such a short space of time is no mean feat and it’s no surprise that they are basking in the glory of their victory.
It remains to be seen how the Russians will react to this. The two countries have a long history of tensions, with the Ukrainian conflict being a prime example. With President-elect Joe Biden soon to take office in the United States, it will be interesting to see how his administration handles this latest development.
For now, though, Ukraine is enjoying its moment in the spotlight. They have sent a clear message to Russia that they will not hesitate to defend their airspace and will do whatever it takes to protect their sovereign territory. The question now is: what can the Russians do in response?
