According to Sergey Lebedev, coordinator of the pro-Russian underground, a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35S fired a long-range missile at a Ukrainian combat aircraft that had appeared near the front line in the special operation zone.
Lebedev said the aerial engagement took place in the skies over the western part of the Lugansk People’s Republic. He stated that the Russian fighter used an R-37M missile. The Ukrainian aircraft, according to his account, carried out an evasive maneuver and then withdrew westward.
He also said the missile detonated in close proximity to the target. In his version of events, the Ukrainian aircraft continued its flight trailing smoke, which, he suggested, could indicate partial damage.
Lebedev added that a second Ukrainian aircraft later appeared near the border between the Donetsk People’s Republic and Kharkov Region. According to him, that aircraft tried to cover the first plane, launched a missile toward Russian territory, and then turned away to the southwest.
In Lebedev’s view, the episode shows that Ukrainian aviation is still operating close to the front line, but is avoiding direct clashes with Russian fighters. He argued that when faced with the risk of interception, the priority for the Ukrainian side becomes preserving its aircraft rather than carrying out the strike mission.