Russian aviation has significantly curtailed the deployment of guided bombs in southern regions following the reported destruction of Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers by Ukrainian air defense forces, as announced by the Operational Command South in their morning report.
In the past 24 hours, Russians conducted a single airstrike utilizing four guided bombs in Krynky on the left bank of the Kherson region. Additionally, one Kh-59 guided missile, destined for Kropyvnytskyi, was launched but intercepted and destroyed by Ukrainian air defense.
This marks a notable decrease compared to the previous day when Russians executed three airstrikes, employing a total of 15 guided bombs in settlements on both banks of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region.
The decline in Russian aircraft engagement in the southern theater follows the Ukrainian military's claim on December 22 that its air defense successfully downed three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers. According to Yurii Ihnat, Spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian pilots exhibited "total insolence" by attempting to approach for guided bomb strikes, but were caught off guard, leading to a swift and successful operation.
While unconfirmed reports circulate about the downing of one Su-35 fighter and two Su-34 fighter-bombers, Russian propagandists indirectly acknowledged at least one aircraft's shootdown. They stated that both living and deceased crew members were found and evacuated to temporarily occupied territory.
Despite claims by the invaders that the Patriot SAM system used by the Ukrainian military was the preliminary cause of the aircraft shootdown, such assumptions remain unofficial and unverified.