Sukhoi Su-34

Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter bombers and one Su-35 fighter in the skies over eastern Ukraine on Saturday, the country's air force chief said.

The Russia air strikes have involved aircraft never before tested in combat, including the Sukhoi Su-34 strike fighter, which NATO calls the Fullback, and a ship-based cruise missile fired more than 900 miles from the Caspian Sea, which, according to some analysts, surpasses the U.S. equivalent in technological capability.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Tuesday directed his staff to open lines of communication with Russia's military as Washington and Moscow explore ways to ensure the safety of rival operations in Syria's limited airspace, the Pentagon said.

Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter bombers and one Su-35 fighter in the skies over eastern Ukraine on Saturday, the country's air force chief said.

The Russia air strikes have involved aircraft never before tested in combat, including the Sukhoi Su-34 strike fighter, which NATO calls the Fullback, and a ship-based cruise missile fired more than 900 miles from the Caspian Sea, which, according to some analysts, surpasses the U.S. equivalent in technological capability.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Tuesday directed his staff to open lines of communication with Russia's military as Washington and Moscow explore ways to ensure the safety of rival operations in Syria's limited airspace, the Pentagon said.