Russian aviation has problems due to intense war and sanctions

Due to intensive flights in the context of hostilities, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) aircraft wear out faster, and maintenance and repair are complicated by sanctions, which threatens them with problems in the future.

Yevropeiska Pravda stated this in an intelligence review by the British Ministry of Defense on September 28.

According to British data, the Russian VKS has lost about 90 fixed-wing aircraft since the beginning of the full-scale war. Some of the remaining military aircraft are flying many more sorties than in peacetime.

"All aircraft have an expected 'life expectancy' measured in flight hours. It is very likely that due to this intensive wartime use, Russia is reducing the "life expectancy" of many of its aircraft much faster than planned in the VKS. Additional maintenance is complicated by a shortage of spare parts due to increased demand and international sanctions," the review notes.

The intelligence notes that so far, the VKS retains the ability to fly over the occupied territories of Ukraine.

However, since the war has been going on for much longer than the Russian Defense Ministry originally planned, the wear and tear on the aircraft is likely to affect the combat capabilities of Russian aviation in the long run.

Author - Olena Madiak, 28/09/2023