Donetsk, Dec 29 — DAN. Russian forces have eliminated more than 560 enemy warplanes in the course of the special military operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
“More than 560 aircraft of Ukraine’s Air Force have been destroyed since the beginning of the special operation, ” according to infographics posted on the Ministry’s website.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said that Kiev had lost more than 383,000 troops and about 23,000 pieces of equipment including aircraft during the special military operation.
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In mid-February 2022, the Ukrainian army sharply stepped up attacks on Donbass delivering chaotic fire at many frontline towns and districts. The Joint Centre for Control and Coordination of issues related to Ukraine’s war crimes called it the worst escalation since April 2021. A number of terrorist attacks targeted vital facilities.
As tensions mounted, authorities announced on February 18 the evacuation of civilians to Russia’s Rostov region. The next day, the DPR announced general mobilization for the first time. On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law recognizing the independence of the Donbass Republics and on February 24, he announced the beginning of a special military operation which launched the liberation of the Donbass territory from the occupation forces of the Kiev regime.*jk