Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Monday that more had been destroyed. 78 military targets in Ukraineat a time when authorities in Kyiv are continuing their efforts to evacuate civilians from several besieged cities in the south and east of the country, where Moscow now appears to be concentrating its operations.
According to Konashenkov, “Russian anti-aircraft defense systems shot down two Ukrainian Su-25 fighters near Izium” (northeast), while a Mi-24 helicopter was shot down in Kherson (south).
The Sukhoi Su-25, built in the former Soviet Union, are aircraft designed for ground attack and can be used for close support. The Mikayan Mi-24, also of Soviet design, is an attack helicopter.
Mr Konashenkov also said that several command posts, anti-aircraft defense systems and ammunition and weapons storage facilities had been destroyed.
Moscow reports on a daily basis on equipment and facilities of the Ukrainian army that are being destroyed by Russian forces. He claims that he does not target civilians, despite repeated complaints from Kiev and Western governments that the exact opposite is true.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Although the attack was initially launched from the north, to the east and from the southRussian forces are now concentrating on eastern and southern areas of Ukrainian territory, as they have not been able to capture the capital.
Also yesterday, the Ukrainian General Staff warned that Russian troops stationed in Moldova may move to launch an attack from the west.
“The possibility of the Russian armed forces launching provocations from the territory of Transnistria cannot be ruled out,” he said in Moldova.
Transnistria – part of Moldova under international law, but controlled by Russia since 1990 – theoretically enables Moscow to encircle Ukrainian forces in the south, especially in the Odessa region.
Kyiv is also talking about reinforcing Russian troops in eastern Ukraine with the arrival of units from Siberia and the Russian Far East.
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