Russian Defense Ministry: "Destruction of Ukrainian Air Force Bases and Air Defense, Control of Air Supremacy" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it has completely secured air superiority by destroying air bases and air defense systems across Ukraine. The Ukrainian military denied the announcement, claiming to have shot down five Russian military aircraft, amid concerns that a large-scale ground offensive may soon begin.

According to foreign media including AFP on the 24th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that "the airstrike on Ukrainian air bases and military infrastructure, which began at 5 a.m., has been completed, and Ukraine's air defense systems have been neutralized," declaring full control of the airspace.

The Ukrainian military denies this. According to CNN, the Ukrainian General Staff announced, "As Russian forces attacked Ukraine, we shot down five Russian aircraft and helicopters." The Russian government claims that Ukraine's announcement of the shootdowns is not true.

Following the typical pattern of modern warfare where a ground offensive begins after securing air superiority, there are concerns that Russia will soon launch a large-scale ground war across Ukraine. It is known that Russia has deployed over 190,000 troops along the border areas with Ukraine, including 30,000 troops stationed in the Belarus-Ukraine border region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.