Over 1,000 days into the full-scale invasion, russia’s Aerospace Forces, despite technological and numerical advantage, have failed to gain air superiority over Ukraine. Russia has resorted to using their tactical level aviation, such as SU-34 aircraft, as airborne artillery, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
The major development which has changed the nature of the conflict has been the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Since mid-2024, the number of one way attack UAV launches has likely allowed russia the space and time to recuperate its long range aviation fleet, and their associated air launched cruise missile and air launched ballistic missile stocks. Whilst russia retains the ability to use these assets, the ultimate effect is that the air defence picture for Ukraine is increasingly busy, complex and challenging. With this combination of systems the russians have consistently targeted Ukrainian critical national infrastructure and air bases. Future strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure are expected this winter, as russia attempts to break the will of the Ukrainian people.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Explains How Severe Personnel and Equipment Losses Have Reshaped russia’s Land Forces
Ukrainian anti-aircraft guns in Odesa countering a swarm attack by Russian Geran-2 drones - UANow pic.twitter.com/8zcxjpg3pk— AlexandruC4 (@AlexandruC4) November 15, 2024
Ukraine has successfully used UAVs against military targets in russia. In mid and late September Ukraine struck four russian strategic ammunition depots hundreds of kilometres from Ukraine. The total tonnage of ammunition destroyed across the sites represents the largest loss of russian, and North Korean supplied, ammunition during the war. The attacks again highlight russia’s inability to protect strategic military sites from Ukrainian UAV attack.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Analyzes How Ukraine Crippled russia’s Maritime Dominance after 1000 Days of War
