A Russian Su-30SM fighter jet over Crimea amid rising tensions and military clashes between Russia and Ukraine (Photo: Pinterest)
The Ukrainian military sources suggests that during an operation in the northwestern area of annexed Crimea in 2014, a Russian Sukhoi Su-30 SM fighter jet was accidentally brought down by Russian ground anti-aircraft missile systems. Ukrainian officials claimed that the jet was trying to intercept Ukrainian drone attacks when it was hit by friendly fire.
Further intelligence from the Ukrainian Navy inspects also suggests interception of radio communications confirming that the Su-30SM's engines lit and its crew safely ejected. However, none of these claims have been acknowledged or confirmed so far by either Russian state media or official authorities.
ALSO READ: Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dominates Pentagon Launch Bids, Blue Origin Shut Out for Now
This friendly ire incident comes at a time of intensifying Russia's military activities in Ukraine. Russian strikes are noted to have intensified on missiles, drones and artillery with a specific focus on towns and energy infrastructure of Ukraine. Such activities would seem to cause weariness and disarray in Ukraine much with the onset of winter. Targeting energy facilities could produce power shortages and worsen humanitarian effects which would further strain Ukraine's defense and civilian populace.
On October 16, U.S. President Donald Trump conversed via a telephone call with President Putin during which they agreed to meet in Budapest. Even with the standing arrest warrant for Putin by the International Criminal Court, Hungary has said it will support the visit. This new meeting is to be the second one between the two leaders after their previous meeting in Alaska last August, which presented no real breakthroughs.
ALSO READ: Who is Lydia Kaiser? The 12-Year-Old Shot in the Head at Annunciation Catholic School
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the negotiation process will take time and bring about the establishment of task forces to deal with the number of issues currently pending and expressed certainty that the two presidents are committed to working together.
Since the onset of the hostilities in early 2022, Russia has suffered, according to its own estimates over one million casualties in wounded, killed and missing personnel whereas President Zelensky estimated that around 400,000 Ukrainian lives had been lost or injured during the war.
The two sides continue to be locked in mutual blame Moscow accuses Kyiv and its European backers of provocation in the ongoing conflict Ukraine and the United Kingdom accuse the Russians of bringing forward an assortment of unrealistic and unacceptable demands and showing little genuine interest in any peace negotiations. Throughout as humanitarian costs continue well into violence, the political impasse also remains a huge challenge.
ALSO READ: Foreign Messages and Anti-Trump Remarks Flash at Airports After Cyber Breach| WATCH
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only; facts are based on available reports and may evolve as new information emerges.
