On July 2, 2024, Russia launched a significant attack on Ukrainian air assets, claiming to have destroyed multiple fighter jets in a single strike. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that it used Iskander-M missiles to target the Myrhorod airbase in Ukraine’s Poltava region, approximately 150 kilometers from the Russian border. According to Russian sources, the attack resulted in the destruction of five operational Su-27 fighter jets and damage to two others undergoing repairs.The Ukrainian military has confirmed the attack but disputes the extent of the damage. Yuriy Ihnat, a Ukrainian air force official, acknowledged the strike but stated that the losses were not as severe as reported by Russia. The conflicting reports have led to uncertainty about the true impact of the attack.This incident has raised significant concerns about Ukraine’s ability to protect its air assets, especially as the country prepares to receive F-16 fighter jets from Western allies. The attack highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Ukrainian airbases to Russian strikes and the potential challenges in safeguarding future F-16 deployments.In an interesting development, some reports suggest that the Ukrainian military had attempted to protect their aircraft by drawing silhouettes of the planes on the runway, a tactic previously used by Russian forces. However, if employed, this strategy appears to have been ineffective against the precision strike.The attack on Myrhorod airbase is part of a larger pattern of Russian strikes on Ukrainian air infrastructure, which Moscow claims is intended to prevent Western countries from deploying their aircraft to Ukraine. As the conflict continues, the security of Ukraine’s air assets remains a critical concern for both Ukrainian forces and their international supporters.
Key points
- Russia claims to have destroyed five Su-27 fighter jets and damaged two others in a strike on Myrhorod airbase, Ukraine.
- Ukrainian officials confirm the attack but dispute the extent of the damage reported by Russia.
- The incident raises concerns about Ukraine’s ability to protect its air assets, including future F-16 deployments.
- Reports suggest Ukraine attempted to protect aircraft by drawing silhouettes on the runway, a tactic that proved ineffective.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports on the number of aircraft destroyed or damaged, with Russian sources claiming higher numbers than Ukrainian sources.
👾Some reports mention the destruction of MiG-29 aircraft in addition to Su-27s, while others only mention Su-27s.
