ISW: Enemy is willing to lose aircraft for continued offensive operations

According to the ISW (Institute for the study of war), russian forces appear to be willing to risk continued aviation losses in pursuit of tactical gains in eastern Ukraine, likely along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line.

Since February 17, Ukrainian forces have shot down 15 russian aircraft. After the destruction of an A-50 aircraft on February 23, there were no such planes deployed over the Sea of Azov, Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat stated. This forces russian Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft to fly closer to their targets to conduct strikes.

Previous russian aircraft losses have prompted a temporarily decrease of aviation activity throughout Ukraine, but the increased rate of losses in the past weeks until now didn't lead to a significant decrease of their tactical aviation activity.

During the final days before the fall of Avdiivka, russian forces temporarily established limited and localized air superiority. Now they are likely attempting to reestablish this in order to support advances in the Avdiivka direction. Therefore they have decided that continued offensive operations with air support outweigh the risk of losing more aircraft.

ISW assesses the reported loss of 15 aircraft and possibly some highly trained pilots in about two weeks is not negligible for the russian military given that it likely has about 300 various Sukhoi fighter aircraft.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/03/3/7444719/

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