Air Force downs Russian Su-24M bomber near Snake Island.

Ukraine's Air Force reported a downed Russian Su-24M bomber aircraft as it attempted to launch missiles towards targets in Odesa Oblast, the Commander of Ukraine's Air Force said in a post on Telegram on Dec.

5. Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk stated that a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile took down the aircraft, under cover of a Su-30SM fighter plane, as Russia's military planned to strike the southern part of Odesa Oblast. Strikes against targets in Odesa Oblast have become a frequent occurrence since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Situated on the Black Sea, Odesa serves as a central port for trade in the region. Snake Island, located 35 kilometers from the mainland of Odesa Oblast, is synonymous with Ukrainian resistance. On Feb.

24, 2022, at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, a Ukrainian border guard famously responded, "Russian warship, go f*** yourself," when prompted to surrender by Russia's navy. Occupying Snake Island effectively allowed Russian forces to launch a blockade of Odesa's Black Sea ports and direct missile attacks against Ukraine until April 14, 2022, when Ukraine successfully sunk the Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. President Volodymyr Zelensky marked 500 days of Russia's full-scale war by visiting the island earlier this year with a video filmed on Snake Island, promising that Ukraine will reclaim every part of its territory currently occupied by Russia.

Ukraine war latest: Putin to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE; Qatar announces return of 6 Ukrainian children from Russia

Key developments on Dec.

5: * Putin to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE * Qatar announces return of 6 Ukrainian children from Russia * Official: Ukrainian volunteer killed in Russian attack on International Volunteer Day * UK Defense Ministry: Russian forces control most of destroyed Marinka Russian Pr...