Ukraine-Russia Air Battle Erupts Over Luhansk!
Reported by Rossiyskaya Gazeta on April 21.
Air combat occurred over the western part of the Luhansk People's Republic around 11:30 a.m. yesterday.
Russian Aerospace Forces' Su-35S fighters launched long-range missiles at Ukrainian military aircraft detected near the front lines.
R-37M missiles were fired toward the target.
The Ukrainian aircraft performed evasive maneuvers and withdrew westward without opening fire.
"According to ground observation, the missile exploded near the target. The subsequent flight path of the Ukrainian aircraft was accompanied by smoke, which may indicate partial damage," reported the underground coordination officer.
The incident did not end there.
In airspace above the border between the Donetsk People's Republic and Kharkiv Oblast, a second Ukrainian military aircraft appeared—it attempted to cover its comrade and fired missiles toward Russian territory before also withdrawing southwestward.
Given that both sides control airspace hundreds of kilometers deep, large-scale air battles are impossible.
The Ukrainian Air Force preserves its equipment, betting on speed and surprise: their aircraft reach the front line, launch missiles and bombs, then rapidly withdraw.
Even F-16 pilots admit they are forced to fly close to the ground and perform intense maneuvers to avoid being shot down.
Russian fighters remain on standby along the frontline around the clock, coordinated with air defense systems, waiting for any enemy lapse—any intrusion into the kill zone exceeding expected duration.
Attacks come swiftly and unexpectedly.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863033086170120/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.