What's happened
Ukraine shoots down a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber in combat for the first time since the invasion. The bomber crashes in the Stavropol region of Russia after a missile strike. President Zelenskiy visits the strike site in Dnipro and urges for more air defenses.
Why it matters
The downing of the Russian bomber marks a significant achievement for Ukraine in defending against Russian aggression. It highlights the evolving dynamics of the conflict and the increasing effectiveness of Ukrainian defense strategies. The incident could lead to heightened tensions between the two countries and potentially impact the ongoing conflict in the region.
What the papers say
Ukraine claims to have shot down the bomber with antiaircraft missiles, while Russia attributes the crash to a technical malfunction. The differing accounts underscore the conflicting narratives between the two sides. Ukrainian sources emphasize the successful defense against Russian aggression, while Russian sources downplay the incident as a technical failure.
How we got here
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the conflict has been characterized by ongoing military engagements and territorial disputes. The downing of the Russian bomber represents a significant development in the conflict, showcasing Ukraine's ability to counter Russian military operations. The use of strategic bombers by Russia has been a key tactic in their campaign against Ukraine.
Common question
More on these topics
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
-
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
-
The Moscow Times is an English-language online-only newspaper based in Moscow. It was in print from 1992 until 2017, with a peak circulation of 55,000.
-
Stavropol is a city and the administrative center of Stavropol Krai, Russia. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 398,539.
It was previously known as Voroshilovsk.