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three are confirmed.
Since the start of the three-day special
operation, which by the time this information
was released had lasted 816 days, the Russians
officially announced the destruction of 601
aircraft, 274 helicopters, 24,234 unmanned
vehicles, 522 anti-aircraft missile systems,
16,058 tanks and other armored vehicles, 1,303
rocket launchers, and 9,635 guns and mortars.
How Ukraine could have obtained such quantities
of equipment and how it can continue to fight
after such losses remains unexplained by
Russian propaganda.
Austrian expert and author of many books on
military aviation Tom Cooper published much
more sober figures. His Slovak colleague Miloš
Šipoš compiled tables of losses that are 100%
verified, showing that from February 24, 2022,
to May 18, 2024, Ukraine lost 38 aircraft of all
types and 48 helicopters. This does not include
decommissioned machines that were grounded
at airports and subsequently destroyed or
captured by the Russians.
During the same period (two years and three
months), the Russian air force lost 99 aircraft
and 117 helicopters. The actual numbers on
both sides are likely higher as many losses are
confirmed only after several months.
New Reinforcements
Finally, let's mention some new additions to
the Ukrainian air force's arsenal. MiG-29 fighters
were seen equipped with BRU-61 racks. Each
of these racks can normally carry four GBU-39
SDB (Small Diameter Bombs). The BRU-61s are
mounted on the inner hardpoints under the wings
near the fuselage. However, the MiG-29's payload
capacity isn't large enough to handle a full load
of eight GBU-39 bombs. Each rack can therefore
carry a maximum of three bombs, totaling
six. There were also flight photos showing
a MiG-29 carrying five of these bombs – three on
one rack and two on the other. According to the
accompanying description, these photos even
showed an originally Slovak MiG-29, but this
is not certain. At the very end of the observed
period, it was reported that Sweden would
deliver two Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning and
Control (AEW&C) aircraft to Ukraine. In recent
years, these aircraft have received upgraded
electronic systems providing them with higher
protection. Their radar can capture aerial
targets at a range up to 400 km and can track
more than 300 targets simultaneously – not just
aerial, but also maritime and ground targets. For
the planned deliveries of F-16 aircraft, this is
significant because the Saab 340 can serve as
extended eyes for these fighters. Until now, the
Ukrainian air force did not have this capability,
while the Russian side had the advantage with
A-50 aircraft.
GBU-39 bombs under the wing of a MiG-29.
A Ukrainian Mi-17V-5 helicopter was damaged by
a shrapnel, presumably from a man-portable missile.
The photo was released on May 30. The Afghan
emblem is visible under the Ukrainian insignia.
A hypermarket in Kharkiv that was hit by a Russian glide bomb on May 25, killing 19 people
and injuring 65.
These photos allegedly show an originally Slovak MiG-29 carrying the GBU-39 bombs.
INFO Eduard54
July 2024