Russian forces shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet and 142 drones, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday, March 22, 2025, as part of a broad military operation targeting Ukrainian assets.
Russia downed 17 Ukrainian MiG-29s in 10 days two dozen left
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In a statement, the ministry reported that air defense systems also intercepted five U.S.-made JDAM guided bombs and five HIMARS rockets, while strikes hit Ukrainian airfield infrastructure, ammunition depots, and military units across 135 areas.
The ministry claimed advances by multiple Russian troop groupings, deepening their push into Ukrainian defenses and improving tactical positions. The escalation highlights ongoing aerial and ground engagements in the conflict, though Ukraine has not yet responded to these specific claims.
The ministry’s update details a significant defensive and offensive effort by Russian forces over the past day. The downed MiG-29, a Soviet-era jet used by Ukraine’s air force, was among the high-value targets, with air defenses neutralizing it alongside a barrage of drones and precision munitions.
The 142 unmanned aerial vehicles, described as aircraft-type drones, suggest a mix of reconnaissance and attack models, a staple of Ukraine’s strategy to offset its smaller conventional air fleet.
The JDAM bombs, supplied by the U.S., and HIMARS rockets, known for their accuracy, indicate Russia’s focus on countering Western-backed capabilities. No specific locations for these intercepts were disclosed, leaving the geographic scope unclear.
Beyond air defense, the ministry emphasized strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. The 135 targeted areas included airfields, which Russia has repeatedly hit to degrade Ukraine’s ability to launch aircraft and drones. Ammunition warehouses, critical for sustaining Ukrainian operations, were also struck, alongside troop concentrations and equipment.
A ministry spokesperson, quoted by state outlet TASS, said the operations aimed to “disrupt enemy logistics and combat potential,” though no casualty or damage figures accompanied the claims. Independent verification remains elusive, as fighting hampers access to frontline zones.
On the ground, Russian troop movements underscored the ministry’s narrative of progress. The “East” group reportedly drove deeper into Ukrainian defenses, a claim suggesting gains in contested eastern regions like Donetsk or Luhansk, though specifics were absent. Other units—“West,” “South,” “Center,” and “Dnieper”—improved their positions, per the statement, implying a multi-front effort to consolidate control.
Military analyst Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment noted in a recent podcast that such claims often exaggerate tactical shifts, but Russia’s sustained pressure has forced Ukraine to stretch its resources. “It’s a war of attrition playing out daily,” he said.
The MiG-29’s loss adds to Ukraine’s dwindling fighter fleet. Designed in the 1970s by Mikoyan, the jet carries a 30mm cannon and can mount air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, with a top speed of Mach 2.3.
Ukraine began the war with around 40 operational MiG-29s, per the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ 2022 Military Balance, though attrition has cut that number sharply.
The Netherlands-based Oryx project, tracking visual evidence, lists 24 MiG-29s destroyed by early 2025, with today’s claim potentially raising that toll. Ukraine has adopted some jets to fire Western weapons like HARM missiles, but replacing losses remains a challenge without steady foreign deliveries.
Drones have become a linchpin in this conflict, and the reported downing of 142 reflects their prominence. Ukraine has leaned on domestically produced UAVs and imports, ranging from small quadcopters to larger strike models like the Turkish Bayraktar TB2.
Russian defenses, equipped with systems like the Pantsir-S1 and S-400, have prioritized countering these threats, with the ministry’s tally suggesting a spike in aerial activity. “Drones are Ukraine’s force multiplier,” said Samuel Bendett, a drone expert at CNA, in an email. “Taking out 142 in a day, if true, shows Russia’s adapting to the volume.” Past Russian claims have faced skepticism, with Ukraine occasionally disputing numbers via social media.
The interception of JDAMs and HIMARS rockets points to Russia’s focus on Western aid. JDAM kits, retrofitted to unguided bombs, offer precision at ranges up to 15 miles, while HIMARS systems fire rockets reaching 50 miles or more. Both have bolstered Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian positions from a distance, prompting Moscow to target their supply lines and deployment.
A Pentagon official, speaking anonymously to Reuters last month, said Russia’s air defenses have improved at intercepting such munitions, though not consistently. The ministry’s report aligns with that trend, though it offered no evidence beyond the statement.
Strikes in 135 areas indicate a broad offensive scope. Airfields, often hosting MiG-29s or drones, have been a recurring target—Morozovsk and Shaykovka bases saw attacks last year, per Oryx data. Ammunition depots, vital for Ukraine’s artillery-heavy defense, are another priority, with Russia aiming to disrupt the flow of shells and rockets.
The ministry’s mention of troop and equipment hits suggests a mix of opportunistic and planned strikes, possibly guided by reconnaissance drones or satellite imagery. The Institute for the Study of War reported last week that Russia has increased glide bomb usage, a tactic likely employed here.
Ground advances by the “East” group and others fit Russia’s strategy of incremental gains. The eastern front, particularly around Bakhmut and Avdiivka, has seen heavy fighting, with Moscow claiming small territorial wins.
The “West” group operates near Kharkiv, “South” along Zaporizhzhia, “Center” in Donetsk, and “Dnieper” near the river’s delta, per Russian military maps.
A Ukrainian General Staff update from Friday noted 73 clashes in a day, hinting at the intensity behind Russia’s claims. “They’re grinding forward, but it’s costly,” said Kofman, pointing to high Russian casualties reported by Ukraine—over 1,000 daily in some estimates.
The MiG-29’s capabilities reflect its Cold War roots. With a combat radius of about 350 miles, it relies on a pulse-Doppler radar detecting targets at 60 miles—outclassed by modern jets like the Su-35. Its agility, pulling up to 9 Gs, suits dogfights, but Ukraine uses it more for ground strikes, adapting to Soviet-era limits.
The jet’s twin RD-33 engines deliver 18,000 pounds of thrust each, though maintenance has strained Ukraine’s fleet, per a 2023 FlightGlobal report. Losing one today, if confirmed, tightens Kyiv’s air options as F-16 deliveries lag.
Drones downed likely varied in type. Ukraine’s arsenal includes the PD-2 reconnaissance UAV and kamikaze drones with 100-mile ranges, alongside consumer models jury-rigged with explosives. Russia’s Pantsir systems, blending missiles and guns, excel against low-flying targets, while S-400s handle higher altitudes.
The ministry’s 142 figure, while striking, aligns with prior claims—121 drones were reported down on March 5, per TASS. Ukraine’s military has not commented on today’s losses, though past rebuttals suggest some exaggeration by Moscow.
Western munitions like JDAM and HIMARS remain game-changers. The U.S. has supplied over 2,000 HIMARS rockets since 2022, per Pentagon tallies, with Ukraine using them to hit command posts and bridges. JDAMs, numbering in the hundreds, have targeted Russian logistics, though their effectiveness dips against mobile defenses.
Russia’s success in intercepting five of each today, if accurate, marks a tactical win, though it’s a drop in the bucket of Ukraine’s stockpile. “They’re playing whack-a-mole,” Bendett said of Russia’s efforts.
The 135 strike zones dwarf past daily tallies, which rarely exceed 100, per Russian reports. Airfields like Dolgintsevo, hit in 2023, show the pattern—runways cratered, hangars burned.
Ammunition strikes aim to choke Ukraine’s artillery, which fires 6,000 shells daily, per Kyiv’s estimates, against Russia’s 20,000. Troop hits likely used Su-34s or Ka-52 helicopters, common in such ops. The scale suggests a coordinated push, possibly prepping for a larger offensive.
Ground gains, while incremental, shape the war’s trajectory. The “East” group’s advance may target Severodonetsk or Kramatorsk, though the fog of war obscures details. “West” and “South” units hold defensive lines, while “Center” and “Dnieper” press key axes.
Ukraine’s latest report cites 1,200 Russian losses yesterday, a toll hinting at the cost of these moves. Both sides dig in as spring looms, with Russia claiming the upper hand today.
Verification lags behind the ministry’s claims. Oryx lists 2,900 Russian aircraft engagements since 2022, with Ukraine downing dozens, but Russian losses—like a Su-34 on March 1—show mutual attrition.
Today’s MiG-29, drones, and munitions add to the tally, though Kyiv’s silence leaves the full picture pending. As strikes and skirmishes pile up, the war’s grind continues, with each side testing the other’s limits.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
In late February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating a conflict that had simmered since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The initial assault targeted major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, with the Russian forces aiming for a quick victory.
However, the Ukrainian military and civilian resistance proved unexpectedly resilient, leading to prolonged urban and trench warfare. International sanctions were swiftly imposed on Russia, and NATO countries increased military support to Ukraine, significantly altering the dynamics of the conflict.
Throughout 2022 and into 2023, the war saw fluctuating front lines, with Ukraine managing to reclaim significant territories during counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson. The human cost was staggering, with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and millions displaced.
The destruction of infrastructure led to humanitarian crises, with shortages of food, water, and electricity in various regions. Global attention remained high, with numerous diplomatic efforts attempting to broker peace, yet none yielding substantial results.
By mid-2024, the conflict had transformed into a war of attrition, with both sides suffering from military fatigue and economic strain. The international community’s response varied, with some advocating for continued support to Ukraine to maintain its sovereignty, while others pushed for negotiations to end the bloodshed.
The war’s impact was felt worldwide through energy market disruptions, increased food prices, and shifts in global alliances. Despite the ongoing violence, cultural resistance in Ukraine grew stronger, with art, music, and literature becoming powerful symbols of defiance and national identity.
As of early 2025, the situation remains tense with no clear end in sight. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have adapted to a new normal of sporadic but intense clashes, with significant areas of eastern and southern Ukraine still under dispute.
Humanitarian aid continues to pour in, though the effectiveness of these efforts is hampered by the ongoing hostilities. The war has become a defining issue of the early 21st century, highlighting the complexities of modern warfare, international law, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.
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