MehMeerkat
Well-known member
Ukraine is struggling to defend itself against a relentless Russian air assault that has brought destruction and chaos to its cities and infrastructure. The sound of drones can now be heard as early as dawn, signaling the start of another night of bombing raids.
Russian forces have intensified their aerial warfare in recent months, launching over 3,000 drones, 92 missiles, and almost 1,400 glide bombs against Ukraine between October 5th and October 12th alone. The sheer volume of attacks has put a significant strain on Ukrainian air defenses, which are struggling to keep up with the pace.
According to Yury Dovgan, an air defense soldier, the task is becoming increasingly difficult. "It's really hard," he said. "If it's flying at a height of 1,500 meters, it's like trying to hit the head of a match." The soldiers have limited time – around 10 minutes – to reach their firing points and track the trajectory of incoming munitions on a tablet.
Despite efforts by Ukraine to adapt its tactics, successes are few. Russian forces continue to employ effective and evolving tactics for use in aerial bombardment, including using hundreds of drones at a time, combined with smaller numbers of ballistic missiles. In one recent attack, over 600 munitions were used, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Ukraine's air defenses have become an increasingly political issue, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing concerns about the protection of Kyiv's energy infrastructure. While Ukraine claims its air defenses are around 74% effective, experts say that Russia has made significant improvements in recent months, including using glide bombs and SU-34s to target Ukrainian positions.
Airpower expert Justin Bronk notes that Russia is making better dynamic use of its Shahed drones, which have refined route plans and identified air defense sites. He also points out that Russia's missiles are becoming more effective, with the addition of decoys that can be released in the terminal phase of their flight and maneuver.
Bronk assesses that air power alone cannot define the outcome of this conflict. "Air power is not likely to win the war in Ukraine," he said, "but it could lose it." The concern must be that Russia gains an air superiority, and ascendancy beyond where it is now. To avoid losing, one must keep up.
The consequences of the air war are being felt across Ukraine, with cities such as Kharkiv bearing the brunt of Russian attacks. Hospitals have been hit multiple times in recent months, leaving patients injured by flying glass and medical staff struggling to cope with the influx of wounded. The destruction is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians.
As the conflict continues to escalate, one thing is clear: Ukraine's ability to defend itself against the Russian air assault will be crucial in determining the outcome of this war.
Russian forces have intensified their aerial warfare in recent months, launching over 3,000 drones, 92 missiles, and almost 1,400 glide bombs against Ukraine between October 5th and October 12th alone. The sheer volume of attacks has put a significant strain on Ukrainian air defenses, which are struggling to keep up with the pace.
According to Yury Dovgan, an air defense soldier, the task is becoming increasingly difficult. "It's really hard," he said. "If it's flying at a height of 1,500 meters, it's like trying to hit the head of a match." The soldiers have limited time – around 10 minutes – to reach their firing points and track the trajectory of incoming munitions on a tablet.
Despite efforts by Ukraine to adapt its tactics, successes are few. Russian forces continue to employ effective and evolving tactics for use in aerial bombardment, including using hundreds of drones at a time, combined with smaller numbers of ballistic missiles. In one recent attack, over 600 munitions were used, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Ukraine's air defenses have become an increasingly political issue, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing concerns about the protection of Kyiv's energy infrastructure. While Ukraine claims its air defenses are around 74% effective, experts say that Russia has made significant improvements in recent months, including using glide bombs and SU-34s to target Ukrainian positions.
Airpower expert Justin Bronk notes that Russia is making better dynamic use of its Shahed drones, which have refined route plans and identified air defense sites. He also points out that Russia's missiles are becoming more effective, with the addition of decoys that can be released in the terminal phase of their flight and maneuver.
Bronk assesses that air power alone cannot define the outcome of this conflict. "Air power is not likely to win the war in Ukraine," he said, "but it could lose it." The concern must be that Russia gains an air superiority, and ascendancy beyond where it is now. To avoid losing, one must keep up.
The consequences of the air war are being felt across Ukraine, with cities such as Kharkiv bearing the brunt of Russian attacks. Hospitals have been hit multiple times in recent months, leaving patients injured by flying glass and medical staff struggling to cope with the influx of wounded. The destruction is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians.
As the conflict continues to escalate, one thing is clear: Ukraine's ability to defend itself against the Russian air assault will be crucial in determining the outcome of this war.
the sound of drones at dawn is insane and i can imagine how hard it must be for those air defense soldiers trying to keep up with all those attacks 
3k drones, 92 missiles, 1400 glide bombs... that's a lot of destruction 
president zelenskyy's concerns about kyiv's energy infrastructure are valid tho, like how can u protect everything when ur air defenses are being bombarded nonstop? 
i'm just praying for those hospitals and medical staff in kharkiv, it's heartbreaking to think about the patients and staff injured by flying glass 
70% effective or not, ukraine needs better protection ASAP 
3k+ drones, 92 missiles, and who knows how many glide bombs? The Ukrainian air defenses are getting smashed like 74% effective? that's not even close 
Russia's adapting their tactics & using decoys to outsmart the Ukraine air defenses. That's a whole 'nother level of warfare 
Can't believe they're having this kind of intense air battles in the 21st century 
that's just heartbreaking Hospitals are supposed to be safe zones for patients & staff 
. The scale of the destruction is insane 
. I mean, can't Russia just stop with all the drone attacks? It's not like they need that many to win or something 
Ukraine is barely keeping up, and their soldiers are talking about how hard it is to hit those drones... 1,500 meters is a looong way! 
. And what's with the Shahed drones getting better route plans? It's like they're trying to outsmart Ukraine's air defenses or something 
.
. Like, we're talking cities being destroyed, people losing their homes and livelihoods... it's just a humanitarian disaster 
. We need to keep supporting Ukraine and finding ways to counter Russia's air power 
.
. The scale of destruction is just mind-blowing – 600 munitions used in one attack? That's just heartbreaking 
. I mean, I know we're all caught up in our own lives, but can't we just hope for a peaceful resolution to this mess soon? 
. and what's with all these drones? 3k in a month? that's just crazy 
. Have you guys seen those drone videos? 
they're like something out of a sci-fi movie!
. It's like they have no regard for human life or civvies 
. We need to keep an eye on this situation and make sure Russia doesn't get too comfortable in their 'air superiority' 
.
ukraine needs our support right now 
- those russian drones are just relentless and it's taking a toll on their defense system 
and its not just the amount of munitions they're throwin but also how effective they are glide bombs and su-34s? game over for ukraine imo and yeah air power cant win this war for ukraine gotta step up their defense game 
i mean i know the conflict is serious but come on!
man I feel bad for the ppl of ukraine 
. And what's with the energy infrastructure thingy? Protecting Kyiv is key, bro! 
it's all about self-defense.
i mean, i get that russia's improving their tactics but it's still not cool when innocent civilians are caught in the middle 
️ we're talking radar systems, jammers, the works 
and those glide bombs? game changers