Photo: Ukrainian Air Force
The British Defense Intelligence assessment on January 6 recalled the incident where Ukrainian defenders shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers on the southern front on December 22.
“Previously, Russian tactical air power played a key role in the south, especially attacking the Ukrainian bridgehead on the east bank of the Dnipro River,” analysts said, adding that after the 22nd /12, Russian fighter jets were “almost completely out of action”.
British Defense Intelligence believes: “There is a real possibility that the lack of air support contributed to the failure of the attempt by the 18th General Armed Forces of the Russian Ground Forces to liberate the bridgehead. lose”.
However, the report notes that in recent days, Russia has increased its tactical airstrikes in the Ukrainian bridgehead area on the left bank of the Dnipro River, “at a lower level than before the Su-34 was destroyed.” shoot down”.
“This demonstrates once again that Russia’s inability to establish air superiority during the early stages of the Russo-Ukrainian war continues to undermine its day-to-day operations,” the report concluded.
On January 5, the British Defense Intelligence Agency reported that ground combat operations in Ukraine over the past week have been characterized by static front lines or very gradual, localized advances by Russian forces there. important areas.
