(Dan Tri) – Russia announced that it has deployed an air defense complex capable of `shooting down 24 Ukrainian military aircraft in 5 days`.
A Russian air defense system (Illustration: Tass).
Speaking during a visit to Vostok forces participating in a special military operation in Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Moscow now has an air defense system capable of shooting down 24 Ukrainian aircraft in 5 days.
According to Mr. Shoigu, this heavy loss shows that Ukraine is gradually losing opportunities to counterattack Russia.
The Russian minister did not specify which air defense shield or related features helped it shoot down the Ukrainian plane.
Previously, Russia announced that it had shot down a large number of Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters.
Retired US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski, who used to work as an analyst at the Pentagon, said that Ukraine still has about 50 MiG-29s from the former Soviet Union.
Kiev is expected to receive a number of additional MiG-29 fighters from Slovakia and Poland – former members of the Warsaw Pact.
Ms. Kwiatkowski said that although Ukraine can still upgrade the MiG-29, its core is still `basic technology of the 1970s` and `cannot match or avoid air defense and surveillance systems.`
`Even Western reports last year acknowledged the superior ability of Russia’s MiG-31BM fighter jets to shoot down Ukrainian jets and other Ukrainian air assets,` Ms. Kwiatkowski said.
In July, a Ukrainian pilot pointed out the reason why Russia had an overwhelming advantage over Kiev in recent air combat.
Responding to the British newspaper Sunday Times, a Ukrainian pilot with the surname Maksym admitted that the modern Russian Air Force is superior to Kiev.
Maksym said he and his teammates in the unit encountered a series of difficulties while on duty in Bakhmut against an army with much more modern equipment.
For example, Maksym’s unit must use Mil Mi-8 helicopters designed during the Soviet era and in service since the late 1960s. This type of aircraft is far less effective in terms of efficiency than the helicopter fleet.
In addition, Ukraine also faces ammunition limitations.
He admitted that the problem of the Ukrainian Air Force lies in both helicopters and fighters, and Kiev does not have adequate equipment to counter Russia’s latest weapons.
`Russian jets are of much better quality than ours,` the Ukrainian pilot said.
Previously, Ukrainian pilots repeatedly talked about the difference in air force potential compared to Russia.
