Russia's jet claims exceed reality as Ukraine modernizes forces
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that on February 22, a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet was shot down and numerous other air assault assets were destroyed. However, independent sources have not confirmed these reports, according to Defense Romania. The outlet adds that since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russians claim to have shot down more planes than Ukraine possesses.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that within one day—February 22—their air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet and other air assault assets. This information comes from a press release delivered by the Interfax and Tass agencies. In addition to the Ukrainian MiG-29, the Russians claim to have eliminated two Hammer bombs, two HIMARS missiles, and 58 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Russians vs. Ukrainian MiG-29s
According to Russian sources, three Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jets were shot down in the past week. Since the beginning of the conflict, Russia claims to have destroyed 656 aircraft, 283 helicopters, and 44,190 drones belonging to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force does not disclose exact numbers regarding their fighter jets.
However, Defense Romania points out that in spring 2023, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuri Ignat, mentioned three brigades of MiG-29s, suggesting the possession of about 70 such aircraft. After gaining independence, Ukraine had 240 MiG-29s, of which about 50 were operational at the beginning of the war. Additional aircraft were delivered from Poland and Slovakia.
Meanwhile, Russian sources on social media claim that in three years of conflict, 207 MiG-29s, 65 Su-27s, 203 Su-25s, and 58 Su-24s were destroyed. That totals 533 aircraft, a smaller number than Russian authorities report. Defense Romania emphasizes that official Russian data and social media accounts are not fully reliable. From the data presented by the Russians—both official and from social media—it appears they have claimed more plane shoot-downs than Ukraine actually possessed. In practice, this would suggest that Kyiv no longer has any military aviation, which is not the case. Ukrainian aircraft continue to conduct daily combat flights.
Western support for Ukraine
It should not be forgotten that Ukraine is also modernizing its air force by acquiring F-16 fighters and Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from Western allies. F-16s are being delivered to Ukraine starting in 2024, while the French Mirage 2000-5 arrived in Ukraine in early February 2025, as confirmed by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter, designed by General Dynamics and currently produced by Lockheed Martin. The aircraft is known for its good maneuverability and versatility, making it effective in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It can achieve a maximum speed of about 1,500 mph, and its operational range is approximately 3,400 miles. The Dassault Mirage 2000-5 is also a multirole fighter, as an evolution of earlier versions of the Mirage 2000.
Introduced into service in 1997, it was designed to increase effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground actions. It features a single-engine design with a distinctive delta wing configuration, enhancing its maneuverability and performance. The aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of approximately 1,367 mph, operate at altitudes up to about 65,000 feet, and has an operational range of approximately 930 miles. Both aircraft can carry a wide range of Western weaponry.
