In the spring, the Russian Air Force still flies hundreds of missions a day. Meanwhile, British secret services still count a few dozen. In addition to air defense, the weather is likely to play a role. But that doesn’t mean that an end is in sight.
Russian warplanes have significantly reduced their deployments in Ukraine, according to analyzes by British intelligence. A few dozen missions would still be flown per day. In March there were still up to 300 a day, the British Ministry of Defense said, citing intelligence findings.
The Russian Air Force has so far lost more than 60 aircraft, including a Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO code: “Fencer”) tactical bomber and a Sukhoi Su-25 (“Frogfoot”) ground attack aircraft in the past week alone. “The drop in operations is likely due to the continued strong threat posed by Ukraine’s air defenses, limitations on available flight hours for Russian aircraft and deteriorating weather,” it said in London. Nevertheless, the Russian Air Force will continue to fly missions over the winter months, since the ground troops are dependent on identifying their targets from the air.
The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign.
