The Ukrainian Air Force said on Thursday that it had shot down two more Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets, meaning a dozen Russian aircraft, including a specialist A-50 reconnaissance aircraft, have been downed in the last two weeks.

"The enemy has increased its air presence in the east and our top military leadership reacted accordingly," Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said on national television.

Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said, "Given such losses of fighter and special aircraft, the Russians should have a think and stop their aviation meat grinders at least for some time."

Explanations for the upturn in downed aircraft include an increase in Russian aerial activity over the frontlines, but also potentially more advanced positioning of Ukrainian air defense systems.

"Ukraine is being more aggressive, risking Patriot launchers closer to the frontlines in order to engage Russian jets," Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the London-based think-tank RUSI, told the BBC.

Ukraine claims to have shot down over 340 Russian planes and 325 helicopters since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. These figures cannot be independently verified and Moscow does not comment.

mf/sms (AFP, Reuters, AP, DPA)