The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on August 18 that its air force shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter within the preceding 24 hours. During the same period, Russian air defense also neutralized two US-made HIMARS rockets, 10 guided bombs, and 1,617 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Russian military did not release images or videos of the alleged MiG-29 downing, nor did it specify the crash site or the weapons employed. The agency reported that since the start of the conflict, the Russian military has destroyed 674 combat aircraft, 284 helicopters, 212,455 UAVs, and numerous other Ukrainian military assets.

Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the information.

A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter launching a missile to down a Russian UAV in June. Video: X/Osinttechnical

Before the Russian Ministry of Defense's announcement, AMK Mapping, an X account specializing in open-source intelligence on the Ukraine conflict, reported a Russian Su-35 fighter flying near Horlivka city in Donetsk province. The Su-35 reportedly launched R-37/R-77 air-to-air missiles to intercept a "tactical aircraft" that was dropping glide bombs on Russian positions in Konstantinovka city, west of Kramatorsk.

Another open-source intelligence analysis account, OSINTWarfare, identified the targeted Ukrainian aircraft as a MiG-29MU2 fighter. The outcome of this interception attempt and its potential connection to the Russian Ministry of Defense's announcement remain unclear.

AMK Mapping also stated that on August 18, a Russian Su-35 fighter entered Ukrainian-controlled airspace for the first time in many years. It launched Kh-59/69 cruise missiles at Sumy city before safely returning to Kursk province.

According to the account, the Su-35 entered from the direction of Turya village, flew over Uhroidy town in Sumy province, then made a sharp turn north, flying back over Sudzha town in Kursk province.

Flight path of the Russian Su-35 fighter. Graphics: AMK Mapping

"It is possible that it was testing Ukraine's air defense response. If so, there was no response. It seems Russia is currently quite confident that Ukrainian Patriot batteries no longer have any interceptor missiles to shoot down aircraft. Additionally, at that time, no Ukrainian tactical aircraft were operating in the skies over Sumy province," AMK Mapping reported.

The MiG-29 is a lightweight 4th-generation fighter developed in the 1970s, boasting a maximum speed of 2,400 km/h, a service ceiling of 18 km, and a range of 1,430 km.

The basic MiG-29 model is equipped with one 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon and can carry up to 3,5 tons of weapons, including R-27 and R-73 air-to-air missiles, as well as various bombs and rockets.

Ukraine inherited 240 MiG-29 fighters from the Soviet Union and has received a number of aircraft from NATO countries since the conflict began. This fleet is often deployed to counter Russian UAVs and cruise missiles, with some aircraft modified to launch Western-supplied missiles and glide bombs.

A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter in an image posted in June. Photo: Militarnyi

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that a MiG-29 crashed on August 10 while responding to a Russian attack on Odessa province. They added that an "emergency situation" occurred when the aircraft launched an air-to-air missile, causing the fighter to catch fire and lose control. The pilot ejected after being unable to save the aircraft.

A source within the Russian defense sector, cited by TASS news agency, claimed this was a "friendly fire" incident, but did not provide specific details.

Oryx, an open-source intelligence tracking website based in the Netherlands, estimates that at least 38 Ukrainian MiG-29s have been destroyed since the start of the conflict. The actual number may be higher, as Oryx only lists losses with visual verification. As of 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force is believed to have 53 MiG-29 aircraft remaining in service.