MOSCOW, October 25. /TASS/. Russian forces have received systems that have shot down 24 Ukrainian warplanes over the past few days, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a meeting with the service members of the battlegroup East decorated with state awards.

During the meeting with the service members, the Russian defense minister drew attention to the fact that the Ukrainian Air Force had suffered heavy losses among combat aircraft over the past week.

"We have received systems that have shot down 24 aircraft over the past five days," Shoigu said.

The Russian defense chief also congratulated the Russian military personnel on receiving state awards. "I heartily congratulate you. You are fighting worthily. I think that this will continue in the same way," he stressed.

During the talk, the Russian service members told the defense minister about the successful destruction of US-made M777 howitzers in the Ukraine operation.