Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers and a Su-35 fighter-bomber in the sky over eastern Ukraine on Saturday, the head of the country’s Air Force Mykola Oleschuk said, citing Reuters.

“On the morning of February 17, 2024, in the eastern (direction), units of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed three enemy aircraft at once – two Su-34 fighter-bombers and one Su-35 fighter.” Oleschuk wrote about this in Telegram, News.ro reports.

“Nothing will stop us! Thank you, soldiers!” Oleschuk said, Ukrainian Pravda reports.

Reuters was unable to verify the claim, which, if true, would mean the loss of advanced fighter jets worth more than $100 million for Moscow.

Having received advanced Western air defense systems, Kyiv has been able to deploy these weapons to pose a growing threat to Russian aircraft in areas near the front lines as the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, calling for increased security assistance from Ukraine’s allies amid ammunition shortages and the recent withdrawal from the town of Avdiyivka.

Zelenskyi also commented on the withdrawal from Avdiyivka, noting that the goal is to “save the lives of our soldiers.”

Concluding his speech, Zelenskyi said: “Please don’t ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself why Putin can still keep this up.”

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