Russia may have just lost four aircraft in one day. Here’s what we know

(CNN) — The Russian Air Force may have just had its worst days since the war in Ukraine began. According to unconfirmed reports, four of the company’s planes were shot down over Russian territory, marking a major coup for Ukraine.

While there are conflicting accounts of how many planes and helicopters were shot down within the Russian area of ​​Bryansk, one Russian media reported at least two fighters (Su-34 and Su-35) and a Mi-8. He said two planes were shot down. A helicopter crashed.

Ukraine has denied that its air defense system was involved in Saturday’s reported downing of the Russian airliner, but said the plane was “in some trouble”.

Bryansk, which borders Ukraine, has been attacked by Kiev in the past.

The simultaneous occurrence of multiple crashes on Russian territory is unprecedented. Some analysts believe that the Russian air force’s increased use of “gliding missiles,” which can strike targets from a distance, may have pushed Ukraine’s air defenses further.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yury Ifnat said on Sunday that Russian “air units attacked Ukraine from the north, in the Bryansk region.” They do this almost every day. They carry out attacks with guided bombs. ”

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In this example, “They got into some trouble. They tried to bomb our civilians, our peaceful people.” ‘ he called.

A social media video location-tracked by CNN shows at least one helicopter crashing near the town of Klintsy, Bryansk province, 50 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

Bryansk governor Aleksandr Bogomas confirmed that the helicopter crashed and injured a civilian, but did not elaborate on the cause.

Another video showing the crashing plane and plumes of black smoke was localized to the village of Bryansk, about 25 kilometers from Kryntsy.

The Russian state news agency TASS did not specify the cause, but released a video of a helicopter exploding in mid-air, confirming that the Su-34 fighter jet had crashed.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not released anything about the incident, but an unofficial Russian telegram channel said it was the worst day for Russian military aviation since March last year.

Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that “two Mi-8 helicopters and a group of Su-34 and Su-35 fighters crashed in the Bryansk region”, suggesting that more helicopters may have been hit. bottom.

“The attackers are being searched on the ground and in the air,” he added.

Kommersant news agency said: “Fighter planes were to carry out missile strikes on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, while helicopters were to support the fighter planes, including rescuing Su crew if they were shot down by enemy artillery fire. It was reported. None of the four planes returned to the airfield. their pilot was killed. ”

Kommersant’s report cannot be independently verified. However, other Russian sources have also begun discussing the incident, with a popular Telegram channel posting about the conflict stating: [Ukrainian] Please operate here. ”

Moscow City Council member Andrei Medvedev said on Saturday that four planes were lost, adding: “Yesterday in Luhansk.” [a reference to missile strikes on the city], an attack on our Air Force today. Scrutinize your defense. where it breaks. And attack the rear, infrastructure, aviation. ”

Another Russian telegram channel, which posts daily about the conflict, claimed that Ukrainians “fired rockets from the Chernihiv area and are almost approaching the border.”

Russian military blogger Daniil Bezsonov said on Saturday: “The enemy most likely acted from an ambush by air defense forces, having previously taken up the border area and given the distance from which our air group could We may be attacked,” he said. Therefore, it is likely that the enemy knew the departure route and time of our air group. ”

There was also surprise among Russian bloggers that one of the downed Mi-8 helicopters was equipped with advanced jamming equipment.

One Russian Telegram account said it would be “totally stupid” to send such a helicopter near the Ukrainian defense, adding that to send a specially equipped Mi-8 into such a zone would be ” I had to completely cut myself off from reality.”

Military analysts say Ukraine may have pushed air defenses closer to its borders in regions such as Chernihiv to counter Russia’s increasing use of long-range, near-missile-like bombs. I am evaluating.

Ifnat said last month that the Russian military is converting FAB-500 high-explosive bombs into cruise missiles. They are using these bombs “from distances that Ukrainian air defenses cannot reach,” he said.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oreschuk also suggested that the nature of the threat had changed.

“Russian aircraft will not enter the range of our air defenses and will attack front lines and cities close to them from a distance,” he said in a Telegram in April.

Saturday’s events in Bryansk suggest the area may have expanded into Russian territory.

The case also suggests that Ukraine had detailed information about Russia’s planned mission, as many unofficial Russian sources have pointed out. This could be of as much concern to Russia as the loss of four planes over Russian territory.