Ukraine delivered an unexpected air strike to Russia
Ukraine needed a morale boosting victory in the war against Russia, this could have dealt a devastating blow to Vladimir Putin’s forces. Ukrainian military intelligence has claimed to have destroyed in a drone attack on the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Russian region of Astrakhan, what is considered to be the most sophisticated and modern fighter aircraft possessed by the Russian air force: Su-57,
“On June 8, 2024, a Su-57 multirole combat aircraft of the aggressor state was hit on the territory of the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, located 589 kilometers from the combat line. This is evidenced by satellite images of aircraft standing in enemy airspace,” Ukrainian intelligence explains in a statement published on its website.
“The pictures show that on June 7, the Su-57 was intact and on the 8th, damage to the aircraft was observed due to characteristic fire spots caused by an explosion and a fire near it,” it said, along with a photo of the recognition. Moscow has not yet commented on the case, with Ukrainian military intelligence saying in a note, “The damage to the Su-57 is the first case of this type in history.”
Beyond the loss of the Su-57, a fifth-generation fighter designed to evade enemy radars and which can cost up to 50 million euros, the Ukrainian attack has exposed the cracks that exist in Russia’s military strategy and defense. Despite the long duration of the conflict and the high cost of these fighters, the hangars were not protected or secured, allowing Ukrainian drones to reach their targets with ease.
Furthermore, according to El Mundo, the Ukrainian attack would confirm NATO and the United States’ doubts about Russia’s ability to deploy these aircraft in a war with Ukraine and the state of its air fleet, which they already suspected and seem to be confirmed with this attack.
Russia has about 900 combat aircraft, but only about 450 are operational due to maintenance. If we add to this the vast geography of Russia and the demands of the war in Ukraine, this is limiting the capabilities of Russian military aviation. In addition to the lack of properly trained pilots, the loss of Su-57s and other equipment has further exacerbated this situation.
Ukrainian strategy and the future of warfare
With this attack, Ukraine has demonstrated its remarkable ability to carry out precise and effective strikes not only in the air but also at sea, destroying the Black Sea Fleet with guerrilla tactics, significantly weakening Russian forces.
In addition, F-16 fighter-bombers and other modern combat aircraft are expected to arrive in Ukraine in 2025, increasing pressure on the Russian Air Force. On the other hand, these reinforcements will allow Ukraine to deploy weapons obtained from NATO members, with air superiority being a key component. A fact that could be decisive in a possible Ukrainian counter-attack.