File image.
Twelve Russian service members involved in downing the first American-made F-16 fighter jet of the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) had been paid 15 million rubles ($195,000), Fores told TASS on May 30
Fores, which is based in the Urals, is a prominent manufacturer specializing in proppants and microspheres, essential materials used in the oil and gas industry.
“Fores has delivered on its earlier promise to transfer 15 million rubles to members of the Russian Armed Forces for downing the first F-16 in the special military operation zone,” the company said.
The award ceremony took place in a border area in the presence of commanders on May 29, according to the company, which said that “twelve servicemen involved in downing the target received money certificates.”
Ukraine received the first batch of F-16s just last July. Ten such fighter jets have so far been delivered to the country out of a total of 85 pledged by Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. All jets are from the older Block 15 model, although they received the Mid-Life Update.
In December, Fores Director General Sergey Shmotyev said on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that his company would pay a bonus of 15 million rubles for the first F-16 fighter jet that could be shot down in the special military operation zone.
The UAF has already admitted losing three of its F-16, with the first loss being reported last August, and the later tow in April and earlier this month.
Russian S-400 long-range air defense systems and R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles – typically launched from MiG-31, Su-35 or Su-57 fighter jets – were blamed for all three losses, which Ukraine alleged were the results of incidents.
According to TASS, Fores has so far donated 237.7 million rubles ($3 million) toward the purchase of hardware, communications devices, jamming systems, thermal sights, medicines, and evacuation equipment for the Russian military.
The company has also purchased more than 500 tons of healthcare products and medicinal drugs for the special military operation zone.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
