On December 22, 2023, Ukrainian forces shot down three russian Su-34 combat jets over the south of Ukraine. Previously, russian tactical air power had been playing a key role in the south, especially attacking Ukraine’s bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Following the losses, russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) almost completely ceased crewed operations in the south through late December 2023. There is a realistic possibility that the lack of air support contributed to the failure of an attempt by russian Ground Forces’ 18th Combined Arms Army to clear the bridgehead.
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In recent days, russia has again increased tactical air strikes around the bridgehead, but at a lower level than before the shootdowns. This once again demonstrates that russia’s inability to establish air superiority in the early stages of the russia-Ukraine war continues to undermine their daily operations.
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