Ukraine Reports Downing of Three Russian Su-34 Fighter Jets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country's forces shot down three Russian Su-34 bombers in the southern front. The Russian army has not commented on this, but Russian bloggers have confirmed it, and analysts suggest Ukraine likely used American 'Patriot' missiles for this operation. Yuri Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, described the action as a 'brilliantly planned operation' during a television statement. Zelensky also praised the air defense unit in the Odessa region for downing fighter jets in Kherson during his evening address. This region was occupied in the early days of Moscow's invasion in March 2022, and Ukrainian forces are seeking to reclaim it. They have fortified their positions on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson this November. The Russian magazine 'Eurasia Daily' stated that Ukraine's narrative seems plausible and that Kyiv is capable of launching Patriot missiles with a range of up to 160 kilometers towards high-altitude targets from the western side of the Dnipro River. The fate of the Russian pilots and crew remains unclear. Since Ukrainian forces managed to regain control of areas in the northeast and south a year ago, their achievements have been few. The counteroffensive that Ukraine began in June in the east and south has made limited progress. Zelensky acknowledges that advancements have been slower than expected but has rejected the claim by the Chief of the General Staff that the war has entered a war of attrition and that a change in tactics is necessary. Ukrainian and Russian forces are also facing another problem on the battlefield. The British Ministry of Defense reported on Friday, December 22, in its intelligence update on Ukraine about an 'exceptional infestation of rats in parts of the frontline.' According to the report, these rats may be seeking shelter in vehicles and defensive positions. The British Ministry of Defense stated that they can chew through military equipment cables, which is exactly what happened in this area during World War II. The ministry also mentioned that according to unconfirmed reports, Russian soldiers have contracted illnesses linked to the increasing presence of rats. The British Ministry of Defense indicated that the cause of this problem is this year's mild autumn and the abundance of food in farms that have remained unused due to the conflicts. Earlier, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency reported in a Telegram post that Russian soldiers were suffering from 'rat fever.' Some symptoms of 'rat fever' include severe headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding from the eyes, and it is said to resemble flu in the early stages of the disease. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency also claimed that the Russian command ignores soldiers' complaints about illnesses like 'rat fever' and believes it is merely an excuse to avoid combat duties.