UK intelligence explained inefficiency of Russian front-line aviation

The Russian Air Force continues to consistently use significant resources to support ground operations in Ukraine, but without decisive operational effect.

This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defense on Twitter.

As noted in the summary, over the summer, Russian tactical combat aircraft have typically carried out over 100 sorties a day, but these are almost always restricted to operating over Russian-controlled territory due to the threat from Ukrainian air defences.

According to British intelligence, Russia has tried to address this problem by increasingly using basic free-fall bombs with gliders that extend the range. Aircraft can drop these bombs many kilometers from their targets, but they have yet to demonstrate consistent accuracy.

"At the start of Ukraine’s southern counter-offensive from June 2023, Russian attack helicopters proved effective. However, in recent weeks Russia appears to have been less able to generate effective tactical airpower in the south," the British Ministry of Defense said.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 07/08/2023