The Russian Ministry of Defense has declared this Sunday that most of the Ukrainian aviation prepared for combat was destroyed in the framework of the Russian special military operation in the country, RT reported, citing the Telegram channel of the TASS agency.
"Between yesterday and today, the Ukrainian Air Force lost 11 combat aircraft and two helicopters," said Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov. The Russian Ministry also confirmed the destruction of the airfield in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia, in west-central Ukraine. The attack was launched on March 2 using long-range weapons.
From the institution they also specify that they informed neighboring countries that the use of their airports to locate planes belonging to Ukraine is declared inadmissible.
According to the representative of the Russian ministry, the operation is carried out within the framework of the demilitarization of Ukraine. Konashenkov also explained that Kiev forces the employees of such facilities to restore damaged military equipment for redeployment in combat zones.
The Russian Defense Ministry asserted that the Russian Armed Forces are targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure and are not attacking surrendered troops or civilians. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu emphasized that "Russian troops do not occupy Ukrainian territory; they are doing everything possible to save lives and ensure the safety of civilians."
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced "a special military operation to defend Donbas." In a special message to Russian citizens, the president explained that the objective of the operation is "to protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years."
