In the battle for Bakhmut, border guards have shot down the second combat plane of the Russian forces this week.

The respective statement appeared on the official website of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

On February 11, the soldiers of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine shot down a Russian military aircraft in the said direction.

It is reported that the border guards apparently managed to target a Russian Su-25 jet aircraft.

The Russian aircraft was hit by a foreign-made man-portable air-defense system.

“The hit with a MANPADS missile resulted in the ‘bird’ smoking and beginning a sharp descent,” the soldiers said.

The plane crashed hitting the ground, the Ukrainian military was able to catch the flames and plumes of black smoke on video.

Presumably, the pilot died in the plane crash, the Ukrainian defenders did not see him eject.

This is already the second confirmed Russian aircraft that was destroyed by the MANPADS crews of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine during the week. The first similar case was reported on February 7.

The Russian military is now actively using aviation to support its ground forces near Bakhmut.

“Warplanes of the aggressor country are carrying out airstrikes on this fortress city,” the city’s defenders say.

As previously reported, the Ukrainian Air Force deployed Su-27 fighter aircraft in the direction of Bakhmut.