Ukraine using drones to attack Russian jets
Five Russian jets have been blown up by Ukraine in the past three days, as Britain said drone attacks on targets within Russia were being launched from inside its own territory.
The claim by the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday came as Ukrainian media cited intelligence sources linking a spate of recent strikes on air bases deep inside Russia with saboteurs.
The MoD highlighted the destruction of a Tupolev Tu-22 supersonic bomber on Saturday at the Soltsy-2 air base south of St Petersburg, some 400 miles from the Ukrainian border, saying it was “unlikely” that the drone which hit the plane could have been launched from Ukraine.
“The Russian Defence Ministry said that a copter-style uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) was responsible for the attack,” the MoD said.
“If true, this adds weight to the assessment that some UAV attacks against Russian military targets are being launched from inside Russian territory. Copter UAVs are unlikely to have the range to reach Soltsky-2 from outside Russia,” it added.
Russia’s defence ministry admitted the Soltsy-2 air base, situated in the Novgorod region, was attacked on Saturday but has downplayed the extent of the incident.
Dramatic pictures published by Ukraine following the strike showed the Tu-22 bomber enveloped in flames.
Several open-source intelligence outlets have since verified the images and on Tuesday, the BBC’s Russian Service released fresh satellite imagery supporting the reports.
An image taken on Monday showed a patch of scorched earth in what appeared to be a parking spot for a warplane.
...
The Tu-22 model, which can travel at twice the speed of sound, has been used extensively to strike Ukrainian cities.
Ukraine does not have the capability to intercept such planes although its forces have proved repeatedly that they are able to shoot down the missiles it launches.
...
See, also:
...
The aircraft type has been used by frequently Russia to attack Ukrainian cities, the BBC and the UK Ministry of Defense said.
This includes firing anti-ship missiles at Ukraine and bombing the city of Mariupol, the MOD said.
The MOD said in its intelligence update on Tuesday that a Tupolev Tu-22 was "highly likely destroyed" at the airbase .
It said that if Russia's claim a copter-style copter-style uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) was responsible is true, it "adds weight to the assessment that some UAV attacks against Russian military targets are being launched from inside Russian territory."
...
"This is at least the third successful attack on LRA airfields, again raising questions about Russia's ability to protect strategic locations deep inside the country."
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, a small number of attacks have taken place inside Russia. Ukraine has hinted at being responsible for some, and Russian separatists who oppose President Vladimir Putin have taken responsibility for others
...
Russia has to be concerned about the failure of its air defense system to deal with the UAVs. The fact that inexpensive drones are able to get inside Russia and destroy multi-million dollar aircraft has to be an embarrassment for Putin and his defense establishment. The drones are likely brought into Russia in cars or small trucks and then launched near their targets.
And:
Russians flood ferries in Kerch Strait to protect Crimean Bridge – Defence Intelligence
...
It is reported that Russians plan to flood at least six ferries to create a protective strip in front of the bridge.
At the same time, the Russians intend to install containment booms between the flooded ferries.
Defence Intelligence notes that a simple measure of protection of the nineteen-kilometre bridge in the form of flooding ferries only indicates the feverish decisions of Russians and an intellectual crisis within the country's military and political leadership.
...
ISW is reporting that Ukraine has broken through Russian defense lines at several points fixing Russians in positions.
Comments
Post a Comment