Destructive consequences for Ukraine: the Russian Federation took control of the sky at the front - Business Insider

According to analysts, even if the temporary local advantage of the Russian Federation in the air is repeated, the grouping of the invaders will be able to act more aggressively throughout the front. Although temporarily and locally, it was for the first time that for the first time in the full -scale war, Russia managed to take control of the sky in the frontline.

If it continues to continue, which is quite possible, given that Ukrainian air defense is under high pressure, the consequences can be "devastating" for Ukraine, journalists say. About it reports Business Insider with reference to experts. Last Saturday, February 17, the Russian Federation declared the seizure of Avdiivka. According to the Institute of War Study (ISW), the Russians probably managed to get an advantage for the first time in the air.

Previously, air defense, especially land missile systems of the Earth-Air class, did not allow any of the parties to the conflict to achieve this even at the local level. George Barros, the leader of the Geospatal Intelligence Group and ISW, said in an interview with journalists that this approach, apparently, reflects all-military tactics when shunting elements on Earth are supported by military-air forces.

"It was this all -military approach that prevented the Ukrainians to defend Avdiivka," Barros said. The losses of the Russian Air Force are not so significant compared to land forces. Against the backdrop of delay in the supply of VV weapons and ammunition, it is difficult to say whether Ukraine will continue to ensure air safety, as it was practically throughout the full -scale invasion.

According to the analyst, the question is whether Ukraine will not allow the Russian Air Force to gain unlimited advantage in the air throughout the front line. If not, the Russian Federation will be able to carry out destructive bombardment and destroy Ukrainian cities and forces on the ground.

Even if the temporary localized advantage of the Russian Federation in the air is repeated, the Russian group will be able to act more aggressively throughout the front, the ISW analysts say in the recent report.

"Large -scale temporary advantage in the air" (which the Russian Federation can achieve if Ukraine does not attract aircraft more efficiently), "will allow the Russian Federation to carry out large -scale aviation operations and bomb Ukrainian cities on the front line with a devastating effect. " Avdiivka was briefly occupied in 2014, and then the Armed Forces took control.

In the last few months, Avdiivka has become a priority for the Russian Federation because it needs the center of logistics and operational maneuvers in the Donbass. On Tuesday, February 20, the official representative of the White House National Security Council John Kirby stated. "They believe that they will receive a starting point for further operations in Donetsk and even Luhansk regions. Let's see if it really works," he said.

He clarified that the Russian troops had problems with logistics and provision, command and control from the beginning of the active phase of war. "It is not that they can achieve some breakthrough here in the part of providing troops on the battlefield, but this is what they are obviously aspired with the help of Avdiivka," Kirby explained.

Some experts say that Avdiivka is important not so much in an operational plan, but in media: it serves as a nutrition of Russian propaganda against Ukraine, Vladimir Putin will thus receive some of the March elections. "In general, this will not change the defensive efforts and operations that Ukrainians can carry out," Kirby told reporters. At the same time, this does not mean that the Armed Forces will not face problems now.

Kirby mentioned that the decision to remove the Armed Forces troops is explained by the "inaction of Congress. " The Russian Federation has not yet received additional benefits from the capture of Avdiivka. According to ISW estimates, the rates of the offensive of the Russians have slowed down, indicating the possible completion of the operation, as it was in Bakhmut.