The massive aviation crashes caused a remarkable change of mood among both ordinary Russians and the Russian military. Although international experts have commented on the situation, the most valuable and appropriate viewpoint comes from military pilots. They help to understand what is happening.
The spine is broken
During the ongoing military conflict between the two armies, Russia’s aviation has proven to be a significant advantage that the Ukrainian side has been unable to overcome. Following the first all-air combat of World War II between the British Air Force and the Luftwaffe, the air force solidified its position as the most powerful branch of the armed forces.
In aviation, there are no goals that cannot be achieved, and the vulnerability from the sky is always significant. This makes the recent destruction of the Russian Federation’s helicopters and fighters a matter of great importance.
What are Russians afraid of?
The fact that so many air targets were eliminated within a few days leaves no doubt that this is not a coincidence. Something fundamental and large-scale is happening.
The command of the Russian army immediately put forward several main versions:
- The Armed Forces of Ukraine received F-16 aircraft along with air-to-air missiles from Western partners.
- The American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system was placed on the border with Russia, so it can shoot down air targets.
- Sabotage and reconnaissance groups, which recently intensified, worked in the rear.
All these versions are existed due to the fact that there is a significant amount of information available in the public space regarding the transfer of new equipment and weapons from both the USA and Europe.
Ukrainian military version
It is often said that fear is a bad advisor. Reports from members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suggest that fear and uncertainty are currently influencing the actions of the Russian army. In response to the increasing number of aerial attacks on Russian territory, the air defense forces have been tasked with achieving complete control of the sky. They are on high alert and prepared to act at all times. For every missed target, they have to answer to the top management. As a result, any aerial presence is viewed as a potential threat.
At the same time, the Russian army is far from an indicator of organized cooperation. As a result, some units are unaware of the actions of others, leading to incidents where their air defense systems mistakenly attack their own aviation units.
Such cases have already been recorded before, but with the rising tension, their number has increased.
