CONTINUED CONFLICTING CLAIMS REGARDING F-16 SHOOTDOWN (EXTREME PRIORITY, MULTIPLE SOURCES, CONFLICTING INFORMATION):
- Fighterbomber (18:31 UTC): Expresses uncertainty about the F-16 shootdown claim. However, confirms the TECHNICAL CAPABILITY of a SU-35 to provide TARGET ILLUMINATION for S-400 and S-500 systems. Notes the IMPOSSIBILITY of F-16 ESCAPE from a S-400 missile, EVEN AT EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDES. Also, reports UKRAINIAN SILENCE as a "GOOD SIGN".
- Два майора (18:22 UTC): Clarifies that the S-400 shot down the F-16, but the SU-35S provided TARGET ILLUMINATION.
- Военкор Котенок (18:23 UTC): CLAIMS CONFIRMATION of the F-16 SHOOTDOWN.
- Старше Эдды (18:32, 18:38 UTC): Celebrates the alleged F-16 shootdown, claiming a 1:1 score in F-16 engagements. Claims it was a joint effort of a fighter and air defense calculations.
- Рыбарь (18:46 UTC): Publishes analysis claiming, without official confirmation, high confidence in the F-16 shootdown. SPECULATES about a POSSIBLE AMBUSH, involving an S-400 battery moved CLOSE TO THE BORDER, with SU-35 SUPPORT for TARGET ACQUISITION. Asserts the F-16 likely took off from VASYLKOV AIRBASE.
- Assessment: The situation remains HIGHLY CONTRADICTORY despite INCREASING RUSSIAN CLAIMS of CONFIRMATION. RUSSIAN SOURCES are now COALESCING around a NARRATIVE involving SU-35 TARGET ILLUMINATION and S-400 INTERCEPTION. They provide PLAUSIBLE TECHNICAL DETAILS, but NO HARD EVIDENCE. UKRAINIAN SOURCES remain CATEGORICALLY SILENT OR DENYING THE CLAIM. ABSOLUTELY NO INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION exists. EXTREME CAUTION remains MANDATORY. VERIFICATION EFFORTS MUST CONTINUE with the HIGHEST PRIORITY.
CONTINUED DRONE ATTACKS, MULTIPLE REGIONS (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED, MULTIPLE SOURCES):
- Повітряні Сили ЗС України / Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (18:26 UTC): Reports:
- New groups of Shahed drones from Luhansk Oblast heading towards Kharkiv Oblast.
- Drone groups in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kirovohrad Oblasts moving along the Dnipro River, heading northwest.
- Drone groups in Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv Oblasts heading southwest.
- Николаевский Ванёк (18:28 UTC): Provides a comprehensive update, confirming a MASSIVE DRONE ATTACK:
- 3 drones heading towards/through Kremen
