Illustrative Image
According to preliminary reports, a Su-24M tactical front-line bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces was shot down during its combat sortie over the Black Sea.
The Su-24M was reportedly operating under the cover of the Russian Su-30SM fighter aircraft. According to Ukrainian reports, the bomber was shot down by the US-made MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system deployed near Odessa.
Immediately after the crash, the Mi-8 helicopter with search and rescue team on board came to the area. However, Russian sources reported that there were still no results of the rescue operation revealed several hours after the attack.
Meanwhile, residents of Odessa reported numerous explosions in the region. Air defense forces were active over the region. Strikes of Russian UAVs were reported in the evening.
