Russian troops are likely willing to risk losing aircraft for the sake of tactical advantages in the Avdiivka direction.
This conclusion was reached by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Situation in the Avdeevsky direction
The loss of 15 aircraft in just two weeks forced the Russian Army to temporarily reduce air strikes on Ukrainian territory, but has not yet prompted a significant reduction in tactical air activity.
Now watching
According to American analysts, after the capture of Avdeevka, the Russians temporarily established a limited and localized advantage in the air.
ISW believes that in this way the occupiers are probably trying to support a tactical offensive in the city area and have decided that continuing the offensive with air support outweighs the risk of losing a significant number of aircraft.
At the same time, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War continue to believe that the loss of 15 aircraft and possibly several well-trained pilots is not insignificant for the Russian army, given that the Russian Federation apparently has about 300 fighters of this type.
Avdiivka on the map of military operations today
Source: DeepStateMap
Source: ISW
Destruction of 15 Russian aircraft in two weeks
15 Russian aircraft were destroyed in just two weeks – from February 17 to March 2.
So, the Russian army lost:
- February 17 – two Su-34s and one Su-35,
- February 18 – Su-34,
- February 19 – Su-34 and Su-35S,
- February 21 – Su-34,
- February 23 – AWACS A-50,
- February 27 – two Su-34s,
- February 29 – three Su-34s,
- March 1 – Su-34,
- March 2 – Su-34.
As Yuri Ignat, spokesman for the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, noted, after the destruction of the A-50 on February 23, the Russians have not yet launched long-range radar detection aircraft into the skies over the Sea of Azov.
Probably, due to the lack of A-50 in the air, the Su-34 and Su-35 are forced to fly closer to their targets to carry out strikes.
The full-scale war in Ukraine has been going on for the 739th day.
The situation in cities can be monitored on the interactive map of military operations in Ukraine and on the map of air raids in Ukraine.
