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UPDATE: Russian forces suffered significant losses in the border Bryansk region on May 13. In total, 2 Mi-8 helicopters, 1 Su-34 fighter bomber and probably a Su-25 were shot down. The pilots were killed. The fire was conducted by the SAM systems from the border areas of the Ukrainian Chernihiv region.
According to preliminary reports two Russian aircraft were shot down over the Russian border Bryansk region on May 13.
A Mi-8 helicopter was likely shot down and crashed in the town of Klintsy. The aircraft caught fire in the air and fell near the private houses. Currently, all the details of the incident are being clarified, including information about victims and destruction on the ground.
Some sources supposed that the fire of the helicopter engine could lead to the fall. However, footage of the incident showed that it was likely shot down by Ukrainian forces.
According to preliminary reports, the second aircraft fell near the village of Suretsky Muravey near the town of Klintsy. This was likely a Su-34 of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Footage from the spot shows the wreckage of the downed aircraft.
There are still no official claims on the incidents. Judging by the reports from the spot, Russian pilots likely could not survive the attack.
It may be supposed that the aircraft could be shot down by the US-made Patriot SAM system.
Some other experts supposed that Mi-8 and Su-34 were probably shot down by NATO air-to-air missiles from fighter jets. Russian air defense forces reportedly intercept several missiles but at least two of them passed through the defense and hit the aircraft. The Ukrainian military could use American AIM-120 medium-range air-launched missiles.
The blade of the downed Mi-8 helicopter was riddled with large striking elements.
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On May 12, another Russian Mi-28 combat helicopter crashed in the Dzhankoy district in Crimea. It was not shot down by Ukrainian forces but the aircraft crashed as a result of a malfunction during a planned training flight. The flight was carried out without ammunition, there is no destruction on the ground. Both Russian pilots died as a result of the incident.
