A Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jet was reportedly shot down over the Black Sea, with unconfirmed reports suggesting it may have been downed by a Ukrainian F-16. -However, later reports, including confirmation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense,

The Russian Air Force may be hollowing itself out from the inside faster than Ukraine is destroying it from the outside.

E" was Russia's bid to keep pace with Western and Chinese military aviation, but it has faced challenges in Ukraine. Designed as a fourth-generation fighter with advanced avionics, stealth capabilities,

Ukraine's dense (but Soviet-era) air defense drove the Russian Air Force back in the early days of the war. In the Battle of Kyiv, the Russian Air Force was taking unsustainable losses somewhat reminiscent of the Battle of Britain. While Ukraine's Air Force is now severely battered, against all expectations, it remains standing and in the fight.

Around 420 miles further east, one person was killed by Russian shelling in Pokrovsk as troops inched closer to the logistics hub. Kyiv’s troops claimed they repelled 36 Russian

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the regular size of the Russian army to increase by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million soldiers, the third time he has expanded its ranks since sending the military into Ukraine in February 2022.