As of: February 22, 2024, 4:01 p.m
By: Helmi Krappitz
Comments
Press
Split
The number of Russian casualties continues to rise.
Ukraine is hit by a particularly large number of aircraft.
In six months, Russian Sukhois could become extinct.
Kiev - For months, Ukrainian and Russian forces fought over the city of Avdiivka, a key bridgehead in eastern Ukraine.
Russia ultimately managed to take the city - at a high price.
And even after the conquest, Russia's casualty figures in the Ukraine War continued to rise.
“Again!”: Ukraine shoots down seven Russian Sukhois in five days
Over the course of five days, Ukrainian forces - likely Patriot crews - shot down seven Sukhoi glide bombers: five two-seat Su-34s and two single-seat Su-35s,
Forbes
reported .
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced the seventh kill on Wednesday (February 21), reportedly in Russian-occupied areas in eastern Ukraine.
"Again?
Again!” joked the ministry.
“The day when enemy planes crash is a great day.”
Anti-aircraft: Sukhois easily seen on radar with KAB bombs
Sukhois are particularly used by Russia to drop KAB bombs.
These are satellite-controlled precision bombs with extendable wings - almost impossible to intercept.
But the planes are all the easier to spot.
Because: A glide bomb works best when dropped from a great height.
But the higher the jet flies, the more visible it is on air defense radar.
Air Force: Russia Sukhois may become extinct in six months
That's why the Russian Air Force is losing its best fighter-bombers at a rate it can't sustain,
Forbes
said .
Seven kills in five days would indicate a monthly loss rate of more than 40 jets.
The Russian Air Force still has around 250 Su-34s and Su-35s.
At this rate, both species could become extinct in six months.
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© picture alliance/dpa |
Sebastian Gollnow
Heavy losses: Russia changes strategy to save planes
Russia has a patriot problem, and the Kremlin also knows that.
That's why the Russian Air Force is relying on new strategies, such as new flight routes for the most valuable aircraft.
Losses should be reduced in this way.
“Russian forces are increasingly deploying A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft closer to Russia’s borders and toward Belarus due to recent successful Ukrainian downings of Russian aircraft,” the
Institute for the Study of War
said in a report.
However, the Sukhois would still have to fly high up with the KABs in order to hit the right targets.
This poses a problem for the Air Force.
Endurance War: Ukraine lacks Patriot missiles without USA
It is unclear how things will develop in the next few months.
With US support for Ukraine stalling, Patriot missiles for air defense systems are becoming scarce.
The war of aggression on Ukraine has developed into a war of endurance, with no end in sight.
(hk)