On the night of July 14, Ukrainian military forces successfully shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber over the Kursk region in Russia, as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The aircraft was destroyed using anti-aircraft missile systems of the Ukrainian Air Force during an active combat mission.
This operation is part of the ongoing efforts by Ukrainian forces to counter Russian military aggression. Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have now destroyed a total of 366 enemy aircraft.
Escalating Tensions in the Kursk Region
The downing of the Su-34 comes amid increased military activity and tension in the Kursk region. Reports of Ukrainian forces breaching the border in this area surfaced on August 7, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to announce what he called a "large-scale provocation" by Ukraine. In response, Russia has declared an "anti-terrorist operation" in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions, although martial law has not been imposed to avoid alarming the local population.
Despite these measures, there have been reports of evacuations in border areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi confirmed on August 12 that Ukrainian forces have taken control of approximately 1,000 square kilometers of territory in the Kursk region. Notably, Ukrainian troops now control the Suja gas measuring station, located about 8 kilometers inside Russian territory.
In a report on August 13, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky stated that Ukrainian forces have advanced 1 to 3 kilometers in various directions within the Kursk region and currently control 74 settlements. This development underscores the ongoing strategic gains by Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
