The presence of russian aircraft over the Black Sea has created a gray zone, where the airspace is dominated by intensive electronic warfare and anti-drone operations. According to the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk, russian forces are throwing nearly all available aviation assets into the region in an attempt to suppress Ukraine's growing use of maritime and aerial drones.
In a recent interview on Ukraine's national telethon, Pletenchuk described the aerial situation as a "zoo" — a chaotic mix of aircraft types including the Ka- and Mi-series helicopters, as well as patrol, slow-moving, and maritime aircraft. The russians, he emphasized, understand the existential threat that Ukrainian drones pose to their fleet and are responding with overwhelming force.
Read more: Red Cat Will Assemble and Sell Ukrainian Magura V7 Naval Drones in the U.S.
However, the balance may be starting to shift. The Navy spokesman noted that Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drones have already succeeded in shooting down russian aircraft, a major development in the war at sea. While russia still maintains a significant air presence, Ukraine is rapidly adapting.
"There is already a solution that allows us to fight their aviation," Dmytro Pletenchuk said, though he noted that russia has yet to fully feel the impact, given the scale of aircraft they're currently deploying, especially for reconnaissance missions.
As Defense Express previously reported, this shift became especially clear on Friday, May 2, when the Ukrainian forces shot down two russian Su-30 fighter jets in a single mission. The first dramatic footage of one of the jets plummeting into the Black Sea after a missile strike was released by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
Read more: Ukrainian Intelligence Unveils Magura V7 Sea Drone with Air Defense Capabilities
