Russia shot down several of its own planes in the early days of invading Ukraine, leaving it with few willing pilots, report says

• Russia downed some of its own planes at the start of the war in Ukraine, a former US official said.
• As a result, Russia started running out of experienced pilots willing to fly, officials told the FT.
• A lack of pilots scuppered Russia's ability to control the skies, per several earlier reports.

Russia shot down several of its own aircraft in the initial days of the invasion of Ukraine, resulting in a dearth of willing pilots needed for Moscow to achieve air superiority, The Financial Times reported.