Ukrainian military authorities reported that five Russian aircraft and a Russian helicopter were shot down in the eastern territory of Luhansk. Luhansk is one of the separatist regions in Ukraine that was recognized as independent by Russia earlier this week.
Russian news agencies reported that Russia’s Defense Ministry has claimed that Ukrainian airbases have been “neutralized” and took out military infrastructure at Ukraine’s air bases and “suppressed” its air defenses. The Russian army force stated that it has targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military assets and hasn’t targeted populated areas after reports that several blasts were heard across cities in the country.
The five Russian aircraft and the one helicopter that was taken down have not been confirmed on the Russian side after the defense ministry denied reports that its aircraft had been downed over Ukraine. However, videos by Ukrainian media portals were released containing visuals allegedly being the five Russian military planes that were shot down by the Ukrainian Joint command.
Ukraine’s central command has reported that Russia has bombed several airports, including Kyiv Boryspil, Mykolaiv, Kramatorsk, Kherson, and the Kharkiv military airport, which is currently burning.
Amid the conflict, air raid sirens were heard across the country, and the European Air Safety Agency issued warnings for airlines over hazards of flying over Ukraine and neighboring airspace within 100 nautical miles of the Belarus-Ukraine and Russia-Ukraine borders. Civilian aircraft have been restricted in Ukrainian airspace “due to potential hazard for civil aviation,” according to a notice to airmen issued on Thursday after a conflict monitor zone increased the risk to ‘do not fly.’
Currently, the evacuation process of Indian citizens, mainly students from Ukraine, are at a standstill as civilian aircraft have been grounded for the time being. One plane has landed in Delhi earlier today morning carrying 182 Indian passengers from the country. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine has advised Indian nationals in the country to remain calm and informed those traveling to Kyiv to return to their respective cities temporarily.
Published by- Aashay Bhujbal
Edited by-Subbuthai Padma
