Air War in Ukraine - Moscow on Fire
During the previous two months, the Ukrainian Air Force did not lose any aircraft. Unfortunately, that changed during the period under review (June 1–30). Ukraine lost at least three to four aircraft and one helicopter. Several airmen were also killed. Let us first look at these Ukrainian losses.
Miro Barič
Moscow on Fire
During the previous two months, the Ukrainian Air Force did not lose
any aircraft. Unfortunately, that changed during the period under
review (June 1–30). Ukraine lost at least three to four aircraft and one
helicopter. Several airmen were also killed. Let us first look at these
Ukrainian losses.
Air War in Ukraine
The first occurred on Tuesday, June 16, at
around 7:00 p.m., when a Su-24M frontline
bomber crashed near the village of Moskalivka
in the Khmelnytskyi region in western Ukraine.
The aircraft carried the fuselage number
„White 24“ and belonged to the 7th Tactical
Aviation Brigade. The aircraft had previously
been kept in long-term storage and was
returned to operational status sometime after
the Russian invasion in 2022.
The aircraft crashed during a training flight,
killing both crew members. They were Major
Bohdan Zahorulko, aged 55, and 23-year-
old First Lieutenant Bohdan Babenko. Major
Zahorulko was a highly experienced pilot
who had previously performed aerobatic
demonstrations in an An-32 transport aircraft.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion,
he requested to return to the Air Force in
a combat role flying Su-24 bombers. He had
completed hundreds of combat sorties. First
Lieutenant Babenko fulfilled his dream by
attending the Kharkiv National University of
the Air Force, after which he joined a combat
brigade and gained experience from senior
aviators. The cause of the crash remains under
investigation.
Long-Range Shot
Saturday, June 27, can be described as
a black day for Ukrainian aviation.
First, footage was released showing Russian
drone strikes against the Voznesensk Air Base
in the Mykolaiv region. The attack may actually
have taken place earlier, but the exact date
is unknown. Reports indicate that Geran-4
drones were used.
One Russian drone struck a MiG-29 fighter
that was armed with missiles and was being
refueled. In addition to the aircraft, a fuel truck
and three white vans parked nearby were
destroyed by fire.
A second drone struck another fuel truck
positioned in front of a concrete aircraft
shelter. According to some Ukrainian sources,
The crash site of the Ukrainian Su-24M bomber, which crashed on June 16.
Major Bohdan Zahorulko, pilot of the crashed Su-24.
AIR WAR IN UKRAINE
INFO Eduard22
August 2026