- Russian A-50 fighter jets have been avoiding airspace over the Sea of Azov for the past six days.
- Ukraine's air defense forces have shot down 10 Russian military planes in 10 days in their latest streak.
- Russia's losses may be related to a breach of avionics systems, the Kyiv Post reported.
Russian A-50 aircraft, essential for surveillance and airpower coordination, have been avoiding airspace over the Sea of Azov for the past six days, RBC Ukraine reported.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yury Ifnat said this highlighted Ukraine's ability to disrupt Russian air force operations.
Ifnat also pointed to notable changes in Russian tactics, including Su-34 and Su-35 jet fighters.
Su-34 is The best fighter-bomber of the Russian Air Force, Forbes reported, the cost was $50 million each. The Su-35 has a top speed of 1,485 miles per hour and carries bombs. Loads over 17,000 lbs.
Once accustomed to flying with relative impunity, fighter jets are now constrained by the growing threat from Ukraine's air defenses.
“Russian pilots are no longer so cocky and don't fly as close,” Ifnat said.
Ifnat said the need to fly closer to the target to increase the range of guided bombs poses significant risks for Russian pilots.
The Ukrainian military demonstrated its expertise in countering enemy threats, resulting in the destruction of 10 Russian aircraft in 10 days, indicating potential weaknesses in Russia's avionics systems.
On January 14th and February 23rd, the Ukrainian military also successfully targeted A-50 aircraft, an important early warning aircraft. For long range radar detection and targeting.
Ukraine's victories in the air stand in contrast to its struggles on the ground, with the military on the defensive since losing the key eastern town of Avdiivka in February and returning to nearby Bakhmut in May 2023. It was Russia's greatest battlefield success since its conquest of Russia.
Ukraine may have penetrated Russian avionics systems
Ifnat suggested that the spike in Russian military losses could be partially attributed to Russian military attempts to advance westward after capturing Avdiivka.
Russian attack aircraft supported these attacks, making it increasingly vulnerable to Ukrainian missiles.
The decline in the operational capabilities of these aircraft reported by the Crimean Wind Monitoring Group indicates a potential strain on Russia's air defense capabilities.
Russia's losses may be related to a compromise of its avionics systems following the seizure of key electronic defense components by the Ukrainian military some 18 months ago, the Kyiv Post said. The paper reported.
The Ukrainian military has refused to disclose the specific method used to target the Russian plane.
It is known to have advanced anti-aircraft systems such as Norway's NASAMS and the US-made Patriot missile system. These systems are capable of engaging Russian fighter aircraft to a considerable extent.
