Jets from the Russian Air Force supposedly bombed military targets in Ukraine, as these images purport to show.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Monday, July 18, along with a statement claiming (in English) that the images show “crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers make sorties during a special military operation” (sic).
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. To solve the assigned tasks, combat sorties of operational-tactical aircraft are carried out from operational airfields.
“During combat sorties, the crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers use air-to-surface guided high-precision missiles. They are designed to destroy enemy strongholds and fortified targets.
“Departures for combat use are carried out in daylight and at night in all weather conditions. Before departures, aviation equipment undergoes comprehensive training. Specialists of the engineering and technical staff on the ground check the operation of all systems of aviation complexes, refuel aircraft and suspend aircraft weapons.”
A Russian Air Force commander named only as Alexander told Russian state media: “Our main task is to help our brothers from below. So that they are not bypassed, surrounded.”
And an Su-34 pilot named only as Vitaly claimed: “We have to work in difficult conditions, because the enemy is always trying to disguise himself behind the civilian population. Therefore, we use high-precision air-to-surface missiles. In order not to hook the civilian population.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
We contacted the Russian MoD for further comment, as well as the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, but haven’t received a reply at the time of writing.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation”. July 19 marks the 146th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and July 19, Russia had lost about 38,550 personnel, 1,691 tanks, 3,892 armored combat vehicles, 851 artillery units, 248 multiple launch rocket systems, 113 air defense systems, 220 warplanes, 188 helicopters, 693 drones, 167 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,767 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 70 units of special equipment.
Six people have been killed by Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian town of Toretsk, according to Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed a new acting head of domestic security after he dismissed Ukraine’s previous head of the security service and its prosecutor general, amid claims that some of their staff have been “working against” the country in territories currently occupied by Russia.
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, has met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Zelenska is embarking on a series of appearances in Washington D.C. and is set to meet the U.S.’ First Lady Jill Biden.
Ukrainian military officials have said that Russia is preparing the next stage of its invasion after Moscow said that its forces in Ukraine will increase military activities in “all operational areas”.
Ukraine has said that Russia appears to be preparing its forces for an attack on the city of Sloviansk, in the eastern region of Donetsk.
The Russian majority state-owned energy company Gazprom told its European customers that it cannot guarantee gas supplies due to “extraordinary” circumstances.
Turkey has said that a resumption of Ukraine’s grain exports via the Black Sea is “probable” following a meeting with Ukraine, Russia and the United Nations to discuss “small problems”.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again threatened to block Sweden and Finland’s bids to join NATO unless his conditions are met.
EU foreign ministers have agreed to a 500-million euro ($510 million) funding package to supply weapons to Ukraine, bringing the total since February to 2.5 billion euros ($2.55 billion). EU foreign ministers are also reportedly discussing a ban on the import of Russian gold.
