Russian Aerospace Forces Are a Shadow of Their Former Status | Aviation International News

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Russian Aerospace Forces a Shadow of Former Self

Ukrainian defenses are exposing weaknesses in Russia’s air power.

Su-30SM-1 — The Su-30SM-1 multirole fighter, whose losses in the Ukriane war are estimated at 11 aircraft. That is in addition to 18 and possibly more Su-34s. The total of Russian fixed-wing aircraft downed is estimated at 70. (Photo: Russian AF)

By Reuben F. Johnson

June 14, 2023

The performance of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in the Ukraine war has proved to be the opposite of original expectations. The Russian force failed to disable Kyiv’s defenses in the first few weeks due to the Ukrainian air force and its air defense units' extensive preparations when the shooting began. Ukraine has prevailed since, however, thanks to U.S. and European-provided anti-aircraft weapons and technology.

When Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022, most experts assumed that Ukrainian ground forces could put up a respectable defense, but that the air war would prove inestimably lopsided. Russia had spent months deploying air power assets at several points on the border with Ukraine—in Belarus, Southern Russia, and Crimea—in preparation to demolish strategic Ukrainian facilities and destroy the nation’s ability to fight.

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