Musienko predicts Russian Su-34 fleet extinction in three months after witnessing Patriot’s work
A “wandering” U.S. Patriot air defense system is likely the only weapon capable of shooting down Russian planes over occupied territories, Oleksandr Musienko, head of the Center for Military-Law Researches, said on Radio NV on Feb. 22.
These “wandering” systems are Patriots that, despite the great risk, are deployed into the frontline zone.
"This is the Patriot that was transferred to us from Germany,” Musienko said.
“It works very effectively; it reaches Russian planes over the occupied territories. This is also very serious work—verification, analysis of information about Russian aviation flights, assessment of the sectors in which they strike with guided aerial bombs, understanding where the enemy will be concentrated."
Musienko predicts that this trend will persist as Ukrainian defenders maintain a solid pace.
"It's crucial that our partners continue supplying us with full missile support for the Patriots,” he said.
“If seven [planes] a week... I'm telling you, if such a pace persisted, then in two or three months, Russia would have no Su-34s left — the aircraft they deploy in the war against Ukraine."
Ukraine's Air Force achieved a remarkable feat, taking down seven Russian aircraft in the past week.
Ukraine's military shot down two Su-34 fighter bombers and one Su-35 fighter jet on Feb. 17, and the next day yet another Su-34.
Ukrainian defenders shot down a Su-34 and a Su-35S in the eastern sector on Feb. 19. Air Force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, said the pilot of the Russian Su-35 died at sea. The second plane crashed north of Russian-occupied Mariupol.
Ukraine destroyed another Russian Su-34 fighter jet on Feb. 21.
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