Russia Says Its Sukhoi Su-35 Planes Fired On Ukrainian Military Facilities And Equipment

Russia has said that it has fired on Ukrainian military facilities and equipment using Sukhoi Su-35 planes.

The footage purports to show Russian military aircraft taking off from an undisclosed location before flying above the clouds and firing their deadly ordnance at unseen Ukrainian targets.

The footage then reportedly shows the Russian aircraft coming in to land before it can be seen taxiing on the runway.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 14th November, along with a statement claiming: “The crews of Su-35S ZVO fighters continue to destroy military infrastructure and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the special military operation.”

The Russian MoD also claimed: “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in the course of conducting a special military operation, continue to strike with precision-guided weapons at military infrastructure facilities and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“The crews of the Su-35S fighters of the Western Military District (ZVO), in the course of performing flight missions, continue to destroy enemy military targets using a wide range of aircraft weapons.

Russian Sukhoi Su-35 take off on a combat mission in Ukraine in undated footage. The Sukhoi Su-35 is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

“Before departure, aviation equipment undergoes comprehensive training by specialists of the engineering and technical staff. Suspension of means of destruction, refuelling of aircraft and verification of the operation of all systems of aviation complexes are being carried out.

“To destroy aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, destroy radar stations and air defence systems, the crews use guided high-precision missiles of various air-to-air and air-to-surface classes. Departures for combat use are carried out in daylight and at night in all weather conditions.”

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 264th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 14th November, Russia had lost about 81,370 personnel, 2,848 tanks, 5,748 armoured combat vehicles, 1,839 artillery units, 393 multiple launch rocket systems, 206 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,509 drones, 399 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,316 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 160 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russian forces destroyed key infrastructure in the southern city of Kherson before they retreated. Zelensky said that Russian troops had “destroyed all the critical infrastructure: communications, water, heat, electricity.”

Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fires missiles at the Ukrainian military positions in Ukraine in undated footage. The Sukhoi Su-35 is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

Zelensky described the humanitarian situation as “severe” due to a lack of water, food and medicine. He also said that Ukrainian forces had removed nearly 2,000 mines, tripwires and unexploded shells that had been left by the retreating Russian forces.

Citizens across Ukraine have hailed the recapture of the southern city, with images of locals welcoming the Ukrainian forces with tears of joy making headlines around the world.

Yaroslav Yanushevych, the Ukrainian Governor of the Kherson region, said that everything was being done to “return normal life” to the region.

Zelensky also accused Russian soldiers of committing war crimes and killing civilians in Kherson. On Sunday, Zelensky said: “Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes.

“Bodies of dead civilians and servicemen have been found. The Russian army left behind the same savagery it did in other regions of the country it entered.”

Ukrainian forces are also assessing what is said to be significant new damage to the Nova Kakhovka dam, which the Russians attempted to blow up when they retreated from Kherson.

Russian Sukhoi Su-35 apparently hits air target in Ukraine in undated footage. The Sukhoi Su-35 is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

It is feared that the dam could flood the area and the city of Kherson if it ruptures. It is currently unclear if its structural integrity is at risk.

Zelensky said that the pro-Russian forces were fighting fiercely in the eastern Donetsk region, saying: “Battles in Donetsk region are just as intense as they have been in previous days.”

He added: “The level of Russian attacks has not declined. And the level of our resilience and courage is at its highest. We will not allow them through our defence.”