A Ukrainian pensioner has incredibly claimed that he shot down a Russian Su-34 jet with a rifle, sending it spiralling to the ground, according to a Ukrainian government agency.

Valeriy Fedorovych opened fire when the enemy aircraft flew overhead in Chernhiv, according to the State Border Service of Ukraine.

According to the story, the old man picked off the jet, which costs an estimated €85million, and footage circulating at the time showed it careening back down to earth, although the purported superhero could not be seen in the footage.

The State Border Service has honoured the ‘hero’ and hailed his ‘actions’ awarding him a medal.

He was praised for his ‘assistance in the protection of the state border’.

The story was met mainly with derision by commenters on western media outlets as most called it outright propaganda, while others said it was impossible for someone to shoot down a modern aircraft with a rifle.

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