Russia may have lost at least 100 fixed-wing combat aircraft since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the British Defense Ministry’s intelligence reported on April 20, following the first downing of a Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE C strategic long-range bomber by the Ukrainian air defenses.
Ukraine issued a nationwide air alert after its military detected several Tu-95MS bombers taking off from a Russian base. The air force reported that missiles were heading towards Kyiv, prompting the city s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, to confirm explosions and the activation of air defense systems. The use of these Soviet-era bombers follows previous instances earlier this month and in January. Russia previously used these planes in December to conduct strikes across Ukrainian cities, resulting in casualties.
Explosions rang out in the city of Kyiv during an air raid, and the authorities have reported that air defence systems have been responding. Source: Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) on Telegram Quote from KCMA's Head Serhii Popko: "Air defence systems were responding in Kyiv.
Poland has scrambled its aircraft amid a large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine on the morning of 23 January. Source: European Pravda with reference to the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command Details: European Pravda reported that the Poles have activated "all necessary procedures to ensure the safety of the Polish airspace", constantly monitoring the situation.
A Russian Su-35 fighter jet covered bombers in a special operation zone from Ukrainian aircraft, which eventually aborted the mission, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.