Ukraine Claims Damaging Russian Il-22 AWACS aircraft, Missile-Firing Warship

Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) on Monday claimed damage to a Russian warship and an Il-23 Airborne Early and Control Aircraft (AWACS) from missiles fired by a drone.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet RBSF frigate Admiral Essen operating off shore from the port city Odesa overnight suffered damaged from a Ukrainian attack and retired over the horizon, the Dumska news agency reported, citing UAF naval sources. The frigate reportedly fired cruise missiles at inland targets in Ukraine for more than a month.

The Odesa Defense Command alleged earlier that several Russian cruise missiles fired from Black Sea approached civilian targets on the shore. Two were shot down by Ukraine’s military and two more missiles struck civilian homes and businesses near a fuel storage site, the statement said.

Ukraine’s air defense command (UADC) also announced Monday it had damaged and possibly downed a Russian Il-22 plane. An official statement added that the UAF shot down an SU-34 fighter, an Su-35 attack jet, one helicopter, and two cruise missiles.

The UAF says it has destroyed 147 RF combat jets and 135 helicopters since February 24.