Ukrainian air defense working under increasing strain – British defense intelligence

After three years of war, the russian Aerospace Forces, despite numerical and technological superiority, have not been able to achieve air supremacy over Ukraine. Because of this, russia is forced to use tactical aviation, in particular Su-34 aircraft, as aerial artillery.

This is stated in the daily report of the United Kingdom's defense intelligence.

According to British intelligence, russia's systematic use of kamikaze attack drones has given it the opportunity to restore long-range aviation and replenish its reserves of air-launched missiles - both cruise and ballistic.

This means that the Ukrainian air defense system is working under increasing strain and is forced to confront various threats simultaneously. Using these means, russia regularly attacks critical infrastructure and air bases in Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukraine has been effectively using drone strikes to target military targets and infrastructure in russia. Such strikes are becoming more frequent, with several recent strikes on russian oil refineries.

In September 2024, Ukraine also struck four russian strategic ammunition depots, including one in Toropets, hundreds of kilometers from Ukraine. The total amount of ammunition destroyed was the largest loss of russian and North Korean arsenals during the war.

Ukraine’s successful strikes demonstrate russia’s inability to protect its strategic military targets, and also point to the serious challenges it faces in trying to balance protecting its own infrastructure with supporting combat operations at the front.