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Miami Herald
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Ukraine's F-16 Took Down Russian Fighter Jet in ‘Historic First': Report
An F-16 fighter jet given to Ukraine reportedly shot down an advanced Russian plane thanks to the assistance of a Swedish reconnaissance aircraft. German newspaper Bild said the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 jet had been downed in the northeast of the country in an operation it described as a "historic first." Earlier, Ukraine's Air Force had said Saturday it had downed a Su-35 in Russia's Kursk Oblast, although it gave no further details. The details of the incident reported by Bild and Ukrainian social media users have not been independently verified. Newsweek reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministries for comment. The fourth-generation F-16s arrived in Ukraine to much fanfare after the Biden administration finally allowed Kyiv's allies to provide them in a move that was hoped to change the battlefield calculus. If confirmed, the operation in which an F-16 worked with a Swedish reconnaissance plane to down a Russian fighter would highlight a new level in Ukraine's aviation capabilities. During a fight on Saturday in the northeastern Sumy region, Ukraine's Air Force used its fighter jets to bomb Russian positions inside the country and in Russia's nearby Kursk region, Bild reported. The outlet said Russia sent a high-tech Sukhoi Su-35 "air superiority fighter" into battle to down the Ukrainian fighter jets, but the Russian pilot "flew into an ambush." Ukraine had deployed a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C (Early Warning and Control) reconnaissance aircraft, which had been discreetly tracking the Russian jet from hundreds of miles away. When it was close enough, the Ukrainian F-16 pilot used the necessary data to fire an AIM-120 missile at the Su-35, a 4.5 generation jet nicknamed the "Super Flanker." The Russian plane crashed about 10 miles inside Russia, near the city of Korenevo in the Kursk Oblast. However, the pilot ejected to safety, according to Bild and the Ukrainian Telegram channel Stugna. The Oryx website, which tracks equipment losses in the war, posted a still image dated Saturday of the destroyed Su-35, the first loss of such an aircraft since February 2. As of Monday, Russia had lost eight of the aircraft, according to Oryx. Military analyst Jake Broe, on X (formerly Twitter): "Russia lost another Su-35. Theory is that Ukraine now has operational their Swedish SAAB AEW&C planes with their F-16 fleet. This capability took years to fight for and obtain for Ukraine. Bravo everyone!" Kyiv Insider, on X: "The location of yesterday's shoot down of a Russian Su-35 by a Ukrainian F-16 was fairly deep into Russian territory. We must credit the skill and bravery here." Former Ukrainian Internal Affairs adviser Anton Gerashchenko, on X: "It is reported that for the first time in history, an F-16 has shot down a Russian Su-35 ' to Ukrainian Allies for providing us with the tools!" The Ukraine Fights Telegram channel: "This is a historic moment, but now we have to camouflage the SAAB as carefully as possible." Experts have hailed the incident as a breakthrough in Ukrainian air capabilities, and pro-Ukrainian voices on social media have praised the possibilities that Kyiv can neutralize Russian aviation and missile systems. Related Articles Maps Show Russian Territory China Could Annex Amid FSB 'Suspicion'Putin Approves Military Plans Through to 2050Putin's War Machine Dealt a Double Blow by Kyiv 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ukraine's F-16 Took Down Russian Fighter Jet in 'Historic First': Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An F-16 fighter jet given to Ukraine reportedly shot down an advanced Russian plane thanks to the assistance of a Swedish reconnaissance aircraft. German newspaper Bild said the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 jet had been downed in the northeast of the country in an operation it described as a "historic first." Earlier, Ukraine's Air Force had said Saturday it had downed a Su-35 in Russia's Kursk Oblast, although it gave no further details. The details of the incident reported by Bild and Ukrainian social media users have not been independently verified. Newsweek reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministries for comment. This image from May 26, 2025, shows an F16 fighter jet leaving Volkel Air Base on its way to be handed over to Ukraine. This image from May 26, 2025, shows an F16 fighter jet leaving Volkel Air Base on its way to be handed over to Ukraine. ROBINWhy It Matters The fourth-generation F-16s arrived in Ukraine to much fanfare after the Biden administration finally allowed Kyiv's allies to provide them in a move that was hoped to change the battlefield calculus. If confirmed, the operation in which an F-16 worked with a Swedish reconnaissance plane to down a Russian fighter would highlight a new level in Ukraine's aviation capabilities. What To Know During a fight on Saturday in the northeastern Sumy region, Ukraine's Air Force used its fighter jets to bomb Russian positions inside the country and in Russia's nearby Kursk region, Bild reported. The outlet said Russia sent a high-tech Sukhoi Su-35 "air superiority fighter" into battle to down the Ukrainian fighter jets, but the Russian pilot "flew into an ambush." Ukraine had deployed a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C (Early Warning and Control) reconnaissance aircraft, which had been discreetly tracking the Russian jet from hundreds of miles away. The location of yesterday's shoot down of a Russian Su-35 by a Ukrainian F-16 was fairly deep into Russian territory. We must credit the skill and bravery here. — Kyiv Insider (@KyivInsider) June 8, 2025 When it was close enough, the Ukrainian F-16 pilot used the necessary data to fire an AIM-120 missile at the Su-35, a 4.5 generation jet nicknamed the "Super Flanker." The Russian plane crashed about 10 miles inside Russia, near the city of Korenevo in the Kursk Oblast. However, the pilot ejected to safety, according to Bild and the Ukrainian Telegram channel Stugna. The Oryx website, which tracks equipment losses in the war, posted a still image dated Saturday of the destroyed Su-35, the first loss of such an aircraft since February 2. As of Monday, Russia had lost eight of the aircraft, according to Oryx. What People Are Saying Military analyst Jake Broe, on X (formerly Twitter): "Russia lost another Su-35. Theory is that Ukraine now has operational their Swedish SAAB AEW&C planes with their F-16 fleet. This capability took years to fight for and obtain for Ukraine. Bravo everyone!" Kyiv Insider, on X: "The location of yesterday's shoot down of a Russian Su-35 by a Ukrainian F-16 was fairly deep into Russian territory. We must credit the skill and bravery here." Former Ukrainian Internal Affairs adviser Anton Gerashchenko, on X: "It is reported that for the first time in history, an F-16 has shot down a Russian Su-35 ' to Ukrainian Allies for providing us with the tools!" The Ukraine Fights Telegram channel: "This is a historic moment, but now we have to camouflage the SAAB as carefully as possible." What Happens Next Experts have hailed the incident as a breakthrough in Ukrainian air capabilities, and pro-Ukrainian voices on social media have praised the possibilities that Kyiv can neutralize Russian aviation and missile systems.
Russia Today
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine has lost nearly all US-provided Abrams tanks
The Russian military has reportedly destroyed the majority of US-supplied M1 Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine, with only five of them remaining operational, RIA Novosti has reported, citing its own analysis. In January 2023, then US President Joe Biden announced the transfer of 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, with delivery of the armor completed in September that same year. Since then, Moscow has consistently targeted the vehicles and has shared numerous video clips purporting to show the destruction or capture of the US tanks. In May 2024, one of the seized vehicles was displayed at the Army-2024 military expo in Moscow, along with other Western-supplied hardware. According to RIA's estimates, the Russian military has destroyed a total of 26 Abrams tanks since February 2024, leaving Ukraine's forces with just five out of 31 of the American vehicles. The first Abrams was reportedly knocked out on February 26 by the Russian 'Center' military group near Avdeevka. RIA's latest estimates follow a report from The New York Times in March, which cited Ukrainian officials confirming that 19 of the 31 Abrams tanks had already been destroyed or damaged. The newspaper added that the remaining vehicles have been withdrawn from frontline service due to their vulnerability to Russian drone and artillery attacks. Oryx, a Dutch analyst group which tracks visually confirmed equipment losses, has also claimed that as of late 2024, Ukraine had lost at least 22 Abrams tanks. Last week, Russia's Defense Ministry reported that two Ukrainian Abrams tanks had been seized during an operation in Ukraine's Sumy Region. The Defense Ministry released a video showing Russian troops recovering the vehicles, which appeared to be intact. The tanks were reportedly towed to the rear by the 22nd Motor Rifle Regiment after reconnaissance teams secured the area. After Biden's initial announcement of Abrams deliveries to Ukraine, multiple US media outlets hailed the tanks as a 'game changer' for Kiev, particularly ahead of its failed counteroffensive in 2023. However, by September of that year, Ukraine's top military spy Kirill Budanov admitted that the tanks were unlikely to survive on the battlefield for long. Former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later also acknowledged that the Abrams was 'not useful' for Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly criticized Western arms deliveries to Kiev, saying they only prolong hostilities and lead to more bloodshed without affecting the inevitable outcome.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Researchers stunned by grotesque discovery captured in street photos: 'You have to see it to believe it'
Hunters in Lebanon are killing millions of migrating birds as they fly over the country and posting images of their hunts on social media platforms, Mongabay reported. A research project analyzed thousands of social media photos shared between 2011 and 2023, documenting around 30,000 killed birds across more than 200 species. The research, which was published in Oryx, found that almost 94% of these hunted birds belonged to species protected by law. "The scale of it is intense. ... You have to see it to believe it," said Andre Raine, science director at Archipelago Research and Conservation. "You can go to mountaintops ... and it's just littered with snowdrifts of feathers of raptors, where you're wading through, sometimes up to your knees, in dead birds." Many hunters openly pose with their kills online without fear of consequences. Birds such as European honey buzzards, white storks, and even endangered species including Egyptian vultures are targeted as they migrate between Europe and Africa. This hunting crisis threatens bird populations far beyond Lebanon's borders. When these birds are killed during migration, it undermines conservation efforts that European countries have invested millions of dollars in. The issue affects you even if you live far from Lebanon. Many birds help control pest populations and maintain healthy ecosystems across multiple continents. Their loss disrupts nature's balance and could impact everything from agriculture to forest health in your region. Michel Sawan, president of the Lebanese Association for Migratory Birds, points to weak enforcement as a major problem. "If anyone commits an environmental crime such as breaking the law of hunting, the fine is $5; if you want to buy 25 gunshots, they are $9," he explained. With penalties this small, hunters have little reason to change their behavior. The carnage is often driven by social media fame rather than food needs. Hunters display dead birds as "digital trophies" to gain likes and views, turning conservation violations into a form of online entertainment. Conservation organizations are fighting back through education and direct action. Groups such as the Committee Against Bird Slaughter conduct bird protection camps in Lebanon, working to prevent hunting in critical areas during migration seasons. Should the U.S. invest in building more wildlife overpasses? Absolutely Depends on how we do it Depends on where we do it Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If you care about protecting these birds, you can help by supporting international conservation groups focused on migratory species protection. Organizations working in Lebanon need resources to continue their monitoring and enforcement assistance efforts. You can also use your social media presence for good by reporting photos and videos showing illegal hunting when you see them online. Though platforms have been slow to respond, increased pressure from users could help change actions around displaying wildlife crimes. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
IOL News
02-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
Flight Engineer shortage cripples South African Air Force's critical missions Image: SANDF/Dean Wingrin A brewing crisis within the South African Air Force (SAAF) is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers (FEs) cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF's most vital aircraft. Despite recent government promises of increased military funding, insiders warn that the Air Force's ability to defend the country could be severely compromised without urgent action on personnel issues. At the heart of this issue is the iconic Oryx AS32 helicopter - a medium utility helicopter that has become the backbone of the SANDF's aerial capabilities. Notably, this aircraft is used for critical missions, including troop transport, logistical support, and even presidential flights. The helicopter that ferries South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa during his official duties is none other than the Oryx, a symbol of national sovereignty. However, one military insider revealed, 'This aircraft cannot operate without Flight Engineers. The unsung heroes keep these machines flying safely and efficiently.' Sources say the problem stems from recent industrial action by FEs nationwide. Fewer than five FEs are willing to fly, having downed tools over allowances they say are grossly insufficient and misclassified. 'They're considered technicians now, not flight crew, and their allowances have been cut,' explained a senior officer who requested anonymity. This industrial action has cascading effects: pilots cannot maintain currency without FEs, and aspiring helicopter pilots cannot complete their training due to the lack of experienced FEs. 'We have a backlog of student pilots waiting for years to start their flying hours,' the source added. 'This situation could leave us with a generation of not current or qualified pilots - a ticking time bomb for operational readiness.' Sources added that the fallout isn't just internal; it's costing the state millions. He stated that with only four FEs remaining in the country, the SANDF is forced to fly them across provinces - from Durban to Pretoria and Cape Town to assist with operations - often at great expense, including hotel costs and logistical arrangements. 'Many FEs are resigning, lured by higher salaries overseas, particularly in Middle Eastern countries, further depleting the fragile workforce.' 'Despite the billions invested in recruitment, we are losing personnel for free,' lamented an insider. 'The allowances are less than R5,000 - less than many civilian technicians earn elsewhere.' In response, SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala acknowledged the seriousness of the issue: "Flight Engineers are a critical part of our aircrew. Without them, critical missions cannot be executed fully, and our operational readiness is impacted," he said. "Currently, the SANDF operates at approximately 40% capacity, but once the budgeting process is complete, we will address these operational requirements." Tshabalala also mentioned ongoing efforts to review allowances and implement training initiatives through military academies to bolster FE numbers. He stated that the SANDF is committed to the nation's security and is working with the Portfolio Committee on Defence to increase the defense budget as a percentage of GDP. South African National Defence Union Secretary advocate Pikkie did not respond to IOL. The SANDF is currently grappling with critical issues of underfunding, aging equipment, personnel shortages, and low morale. Among other issues Highlighting the crisis, soldiers deployed in Goma as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), 18 SADC soldiers - including 14 South Africans - were killed in clashes with M23 rebels. The resulting summit in Harare led to the decision to terminate the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), citing worsening security and the need for a phased withdrawal. Earlier this year, IOL reported that soldiers scheduled to return home were reportedly stranded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), unable to leave due to the closure of Goma International Airport-a move the DRC government justified by citing security threats linked to ongoing conflict and rebel activity. This was followed by an outcry from the opposition, which demanded that the Defence Ministry provide clear accountability. A few days later, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga announced the official withdrawal plans, but subsequent reports revealed a stark contradiction: no transport was available to move the soldiers. [email protected] IOL Politics
