Ukraine’s skies have become a perilous battlefield where even Russia’s most sophisticated aircraft are not immune to the lethal precision of Ukrainian missile systems.
Within three days before February 2024, an astonishing three-day period, Ukrainian forces downed six of Russia’s top fighter jets, casting a shadow over the invader’s once-vaunted air superiority.
The Russian Air Force’s operational fleet, although vast and diverse, appears to be dwindling in effectiveness against an embattled yet fiercely resilient Ukrainian defense.
The downed aircraft include four Su-34 fighter-bombers and two Su-35 air-superiority fighters, both of which are among the best in the Russian arsenal for their respective roles.
Designed for supersonic strike capability and bristling with precision-guided munitions, the Su-34 is Russia’s go-to platform for close-air-support missions.
The Su-35, on the other hand, is an upgraded version of the Su-27, boasting enhanced maneuverability and sophisticated avionics.
However, despite their capabilities, these aircraft have not been immune to Ukraine’s tactical prowess and missile accuracy.
Ukraine’s utilization of U.S.-made Patriot air-defense missiles has been notably judicious and devastatingly effective.
Despite being short on these advanced munitions, Ukrainian forces have optimized their use, targeting Russian aircraft with a near-perfect kill rate that the Kremlin’s air force can ill-afford to sustain.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry proudly announced, “Russian planes continue to fall!” – a declaration that underscores a David versus Goliath dynamic in the conflict.
The losses of these aircraft come at a critical juncture for Russia. According to independent assessments, the Russian Air Force has lost a significant portion of its Su-34 and Su-35 fleet since the conflict began.
Analysts argue that sustaining such a rate of attrition would be disastrous for an air force with an already stretched-thin cadre of experienced pilots.
As one report from the Royal United Services Institute in London puts it, Russian air operations “are constrained by the availability of pilots with sufficient experience to carry out key missions.”
However, the seemingly unstoppable string of successes for Ukrainian air defense may not continue indefinitely.
Political shifts and the blockade of aid could threaten Ukraine’s missile stocks, which are nearing a “critical level.” This shortage might ultimately taper off the rate at which Ukraine can continue shooting down Russian warplanes.
Relevant articles:
– Ranked: The Russian Air Force’s Best and Worst Warplanes, The National Interest
– Sukhoi Massacre: Ukraine Has Shot Down Six Of Russia’s Best Jets In Just Three Days, forbes.com
– The Top 5 Fighter Jets Used By The Russian Air Force, Simple Flying