Black February. As the Ukrainian air defense knocks Russian aviation in non-stop mode

February has become a black month for Russian aviation, ascertaining military observer Alexander Kovalenko. Ukraine was engaged in extrusion from its airspace of the enemy aviation - and the beginning is very successful. December 2023 was distinguished by the enchanting destruction of three Russian front-line bombers with the function of the Su-34 fighter in the area of ​​the temporarily occupied Chaplinka, and less than two months of 2024-by a massive fall of Russian aircraft.

And now there are unique and very rare specimens. In January-February 2024, the destruction of 11 Russian aircraft and one helicopter was officially confirmed. Thus, on January 14, the unique DLS A-50 was destroyed and the Il-22 aircraft command was damaged. On the morning of January 24, a military-transport IL-76 was shot in Russia airspace. At the same time, it is still unknown who has destroyed this plane in the sky above the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation.

But in February, the shooting of Russian aviation in non-stop mode began. On February 17, two Su-34 and 1 SU-35C were shot down. February 18-another Su-34. On the morning of February 19, one Su-34 and one SU-35 were shot down. February 21-one SU-34, and on February 23, cherry on the cake-again A-50! I will note that on February 7, a shock helicopter Ka-52 was shot, but it is as a bonus for common knowledge on this topic.

Now a little details about how painful the losses for the air space forces (PCS) of the Russian Federation are. Su-34 This front bomber with a fighter function is the main working bird of the PCS of the Russian Federation in issues of bombs. In the current environment, it is solely CA (managed aviation bombs). According to verified data, Russians lost 25 Su-34 during the full-scale war in Ukraine.

According to non-wheeled data, the PCS of the Russian Federation lost more than fifty Su-34 (destroyed and damaged). As of the end of 2021, there were 110 Su-34 in service with the Russian air-space forces, of which less than 100 were capable of 100. That is, the loss of potential in two years of the war was 50%? Not at all. Russia continues to produce the Su-34, and the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V. P. Chkalova passed the Russian Federation annually to the squadron.

For example, in 2022, 10 Su-34 aircraft were transferred and six units were transferred. Therefore, the relative compensation of losses occurred, but it is simply not capable of completely blocking the Russian military-industrial complex. Su-35, according to verified data, in two years a full-scale invasion of Ukraine PCS of the Russian Federation lost seven Su-35 fighters. According to non -wheeled, the number of lost aircraft has exceeded 20 units.

At the same time, at the end of 2021, the Russian PCS had 99 Su-35 fighters. Production of SU-35 in Russia continues, and in 2022 Komsomolsky-on-Amuri Aviation Plant named after Yu. A. Gagarina (Knaaz) transferred the PCS of the Russian Federation of seven fighters of Su-35, and in 2023-10 aircraft. That is, the annual production of these combat vehicles does not exceed the squadron.

A-50 from the destroyed Russian aviation in two years of a full-scale war, the most fatal target was, of course, a aircraft of distant radar detection and management (DRLV) A-50.

These planes provide control of the air situation and the management of operational-tactical aviation, which is why Russian occupation troops receive in real time information about the presence in the airspace of Ukraine of tactical aircraft aircraft of the Armed Forces, record launches launches on the Ukrainian side, clarify the target for the task of bomb and rocket. The range of C-400 air defense complexes is also increasing.

A-50 aircraft are an important component in obtaining reconnaissance information and navigating Russian blows in Ukraine. But there is a nuance. There are very few these aircraft. DRLV A-50 has been manufactured since 1985, but today there is no both their production and the possibility of full, comprehensive repair.

In total of such aircraft in the PCS of the Russian Federation - nine, one of which is on a very long, virtually endless modernization, two in line for regulatory repairs, one received damage It is unlikely to be), and two have been knocked down since the beginning of 2024. The cost of one such aircraft is estimated at an average of $ 400 million, but given their rarity and inability to produce it can be multiplied by two. That is, the loss of A-50 for Russia is at least a billion dollars.

At the beginning of a full -scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia lost the largest number of aircraft throughout its history. But now, two years later, the losses of aggressor country become catastrophic not so much quantitatively as reputation and strategically. Russia loses unique, expensive planes in the deep rear, and its tactical aviation in the alleged safe zone is not safe.

In 2022, Russia was squeezed from the northwestern Black Sea, and in 2023 they were driven from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. In 2024, Ukraine will be engaged in extrusion from its airspace, above the temporarily occupied territories and partly from the Russian rear zone of the enemy aviation. And, we must admit, the beginning is very successful. The author expresses a personal opinion that may not coincide with the editorial position.