More than a fifth of Russia's known manned aircraft and helicopter losses in the 18 months since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine have not been due to enemy action, data compiled by Newsweek has revealed.
Between February 24, 2022, when Moscow's troops crossed over into Ukraine, and August 17, 2023, 21.7 percent—or one in five—of Russia's verified manned aircraft losses, which includes jets, helicopters and transport aircraft, were blamed on Russian system malfunctions, pilot errors, friendly fire or other accidents not related to direct combat against Ukraine.
By the summer of 2024, combat losses and imputed flight hour losses may put the VKS below 75% of its prewar strength. To make up for that, the VKS will need to either increase production, reduce usage or reduce force structure for the next 30 years. Overall, though, that’s not a horrible position to be in.
However, the VKS soon will be facing a very different Ukrainian threat: F-16 fighter jets, more air defenses and cruise missiles.
As the VKS devotes a greater share of its dwindling force to countering those, it will have fewer aircraft left to support Russian ground operations. VKS fighters in the sky will also be less capable, stemming from two years of overuse. This happens even if F-16s fail to score a single air-to-air kill, and an upgraded Ukrainian fighter and air defense threat will score many.
Anonymous wrote:Ukrainian forces have advanced on the Dnipro River onto the opposite bank, crossing into Russian-occupied territory, Russian sources have claimed.
A prominent Russian milblogger ‘Rybar’, aka Mikhail Zvinchuk, claimed Ukrainian troops pushed through Russian defences as they landed on the east bank of the Dnipro river.
He claimed they temporarily occupied the village of Poyma and positions on the northern outskirts of Pishchanivka on the afternoon of 17 October
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-counter-offensive-putin-latest-b2432930.html
Ukrainian forces have advanced on the Dnipro River onto the opposite bank, crossing into Russian-occupied territory, Russian sources have claimed.
A prominent Russian milblogger ‘Rybar’, aka Mikhail Zvinchuk, claimed Ukrainian troops pushed through Russian defences as they landed on the east bank of the Dnipro river.
He claimed they temporarily occupied the village of Poyma and positions on the northern outskirts of Pishchanivka on the afternoon of 17 October
Anonymous wrote:US shells once earmarked for Ukraine are now going to Israel:
https://www.rt.com/news/585371-israel-artillery-shells-ukraine/
So much for being able to sustain two wars at once. You can print money, but shells are harder to print.
Anonymous wrote:US shells once earmarked for Ukraine are now going to Israel:
https://www.rt.com/news/585371-israel-artillery-shells-ukraine/
So much for being able to sustain two wars at once. You can print money, but shells are harder to print.