Unmasking the Aftermath: Could Russia Lose Key Aircraft in Ongoing Attacks?
Russia reportedly suffers loss of crucial airplanes.
Take a seat and buckle up, folks! Recent reports suggest that extensive aerial warfare is paintin' quite a picture on four Russian military airfields. And these battles are far from over. Tales of Ukrainian drones reportedly hurting rare early warning aircraft have been swirling around. Here's what we know so far, contained in this friendly, informal chat.
Michael Weiss, a journalist from "The Insider," has revealed some intriguing hints. He's claimed to have come across a video showing Ukrainian drones disabling not one but two Russian A50 planes. Meanwhile, Jimmy Rushton – another "Insider" staff member – shared that those drones landed directly on the radar domes of at least two A50 planes, causing explosions afterwards. However, the exact visual evidence on this matter is still unavailable.
According to the British "Telegraph," these claims come from intelligence sources. Alas, there's been no word on whether these A50s have been completely demolished. The SBU, Ukraine's security agency, also acknowledges hits on one or more of these aircraft. Military expert Gustav Gressel told ntv.de that Russia's inventory of functional A50s might drop down to four or five now, since they are essential for syncing air operations, target selection, and early warning.
You might ask, "What's the big deal about a couple of planes?" Well, let's go back to those 'Glide Bombs' – modified airborne explosives - that have given the Ukrainian defenders a tough time. They've often preceded Russian infantry raids in the past[1][3]. If several A50s are really gone, it could deal a hefty blow to the Russian air forces, particularly glide bomb operations.
Now, there's a rumor circulating that more than just two A50s may have taken a hit in these latest attacks. Time will tell as the dust settles and the full impact of these operations becomes clear. Total damage reports have the SBU claiming over 40 aircraft of different types got hurt[1][2][4]. In fact, last year Ukraine declared it brought down two A50 planes[2].
In the broader perspective, this Ukrainian ingenuity in harnessing drone technology poses strategic threats to Russia's military security and operational confidence. Appears their military may face challenges reinforcing their air surveillance and coordination capabilities[1][3].
[1] "The Defiance of Kyiv: How Ukraine's Military Went From Defeat to Triumph" https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/09/21/ukraine-military-russias-defeat-strategic-cultures/[2] "Ukraine's Secretive Spiderweb Sabotage Operations Aim to Impede Russian Invasion in Eastern Ukraine: Report"https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3554922-ukraines-secretive-spiderweb-sabotage-operations-aim-to-impede-russian/[3] "Russian Air Force's Early Warning System under Siege" https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/09/20/russian-air-forces-early-warning-system-under-siege/[4] "Ukraine claims to have destroyed eight freshly delivered Russian military helicopters" https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/21/europe/ukraine-military-helicopters-intl-gbr/index.html
In the context of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, it's crucial to consider the implications of the potential losses of key aircraft on Russian military policy, particularly in terms of their employment policy for air operations and early warning systems. The community and general news are abuzz with the possibility of multiple Russian A50 planes being disabled, which could significantly impact Russia's military security and operational confidence, given their strategic role in air surveillance and coordination capabilities.
