In a significant escalation of hostilities, Ukraine's military has reported shooting down two Russian Su-34 bombers, marking another blow against the Russian Air Force. Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Sirsky announced the successful operation against enemy aircraft on Thursday, citing victories in the Avdivka and Mariupol sectors during Wednesday night.

According to Sirsky, the downing of two warplanes occurred as part of a strategic maneuver to thwart Russian incursions. The claims were made via the Telegram app, as reported by Reuters. However, there has been no immediate response from Russia regarding Sirsky's assertions, and Reuters has been unable to independently verify Ukraine's claims.

This development comes against the backdrop of recent clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces, including Russia's capture of Avdivka last month and the occupation of the strategic port city of Mariupol in May 2022.

Ukraine's military has been increasingly effective in countering Russian aggression, particularly following the acquisition of Western air defense systems. Despite recent setbacks on the eastern front, Ukrainian forces have demonstrated their capability in confronting Russian aerial threats.

Kiev has consistently accused Moscow of targeting civilian infrastructure with airstrikes, a claim vehemently denied by Russia. Nevertheless, civilian casualties have been reported in these attacks, fueling international concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict.

As tensions continue to escalate between Ukraine and Russia, the latest downing of Russian warplanes underscores the intensification of hostilities and the precarious situation in the region. With both sides locked in a deadly standoff, the conflict shows no signs of abating, raising fears of further escalation and humanitarian crisis.