Russia reduces frequency of airstrikes on Ukraine after losing series of fighters

Russian Sukhoi Su-34 aircraft (Photo: Getty).

"Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Colonel Yury Ihnat said on December 24 that the Russian military has used glide bombs less often and reduced the frequency of airstrikes in southern Ukraine," the US-based ISW wrote in a report on December 25.

This move came right after Kiev announced that it had shot down three Su-34 fighters from Moscow on December 21 and 22. On the night of December 24, the Ukrainian military announced that it had shot down two more Russian fighters, including a Su-30 and a Su-34.

Russian fighters are capable of dropping glide bombs at ranges of up to 72km, making it more difficult for Ukrainian air force firepower to hit these aircraft. "However, the reduced use of glide bombs suggests that Russia has some concerns about Ukraine's air defense system, especially after recent losses," ISW said.

"Russia is restricting the use of manned combat aircraft in the area near the Russian-controlled Crimean peninsula, especially in the northwestern Black Sea," ISW quoted Ukrainian military analyst Kostyantyn Mashovets as saying.

Previously, on December 23, Ukrainian ground forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo also said that Russia had increased the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to attack in the Kupiansk and Bakhmut regions in eastern Ukraine.

Before being shot down, the Russian pilots were described by the Ukrainian air force as "extremely confident" in the idea of ​​bombing from behind enemy lines.

"They tried to attack the Ukrainian forces by using guided bombs deep into the defensive positions. However, if they wanted to attack, they would have to move closer. They took risks but could not succeed," said Mr. Ihnat.

The method used by Ukraine to shoot down the three Russian planes is not known. However, some Russian military bloggers believe that Kiev may have used US-supplied MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missiles.

Patriot is a multi-purpose, mobile, ground-based missile defense system designed to protect major administrative and industrial centers, naval and air bases from all means of air attack. It can detect, track and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles and operational-tactical ballistic missiles.

According to a report shared by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook on December 25, Russia has lost a total of 329 planes and helicopters since the conflict broke out.

However, the Russians have not completely stopped their attacks. ISW said Moscow’s forces carried out several drone and missile attacks on December 23 and 24. Russia launched 16 Shahed 131/136 UAVs from Krasnodar Krai, east of the Crimean peninsula, although 15 of them were shot down by Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian Military Intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov, Russia continues to target the country's energy infrastructure.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-giam-tan-suat-khong-kich-ukraine-sau-khi-mat-loat-tiem-kich-20231226212059605.htm