Two quick related notes. First, today was a very long day – not bad, just long – and I’ve got another one tomorrow. So tonight’s update will be on the briefer side. Second, this is why I’m unlikely to get to the NY Times HUR-CIA reporting until Thursday. The same with the Meduza reporting regarding Navalny being extra-judicially executed to derail a prisoner exchange negotiation.
Have I mentioned that Speaker Johnson sent the House of Representatives home on vacation through tomorrow and the government will begin to shutdown on Friday?
Ukraine downed two more SU-34s today:
Oops, we did it again!
Another russian Su-34 fighter-bomber was destroyed by Ukrainian warriors in the eastern direction.
And now it's 10 destroyed russian planes in 10 days! pic.twitter.com/edtDXLhskL— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 27, 2024
Ukrainian Armed Forces downed second Su-34 aircraft today on the Eastern front. How many more do you think we'll see by the end of the week?
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/qqb1H7Wf8A— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) February 27, 2024
The Kyiv Post has details:
Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU) have brought down another Russian Su-34 fighter bomber, the eighth Russian frontline aircraft recently shot down.
The two-man crew managed to eject, according to the Air Force’s Commander.
“Minus another Su-34 in the eastern direction! Yesterday, Russian pilots managed to dodge our missiles, but this will not always be the case!” Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported in a Telegram post.
“I advise the invaders to see their relatives before each flight. Because who knows if he’ll be lucky or not this time,” he added.
The Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO: Fullback) is Russia’s premier frontline fighter bomber, designed primarily for launching laser-guided bombs or long-range guided missiles in precision strikes on ground targets.
The Su-34 is equipped with a radar that also enables it to employ modern Russian air-to-air missiles.
With a price tag of around $36 million each, the Su-34 is one of the Russian military’s most expensive aircraft.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, from Feb. 24, 2022 to Feb. 21, 2024 Ukrainian forces have destroyed 339 fixed wing aircraft and 325 helicopters belonging to the Russians.
In a significant series of blows against Russian forces’ aircraft, on Wednesday, Feb. 21, the AFU downed another Russian Su-34 fighter bomber.
Prior to that, on Monday, Feb. 19, the UAF shot down two more aircraft, a Su-34 and a Su-35 multi-role fighter.
Today, President Zelenskyy addressed the International Platform for the Release of Civilians Illegally Detained by the Russian Federation. The video is below. There is no posted English transcript, but I do have close captioning in English turned on for the video.
He also had a bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman:
I had a meaningful and candid conversation with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
We discussed the Peace Formula's points and the progress that can be made in implementing them. Saudi Arabia's leadership can assist in finding equitable solutions. We value His… pic.twitter.com/f5Je6ZskAg
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 27, 2024
War for Ukraine Day 734: Ukraine Splashes Another Pair of SU-34sPost + Comments (31)