Ukraine Undermines russian Air Defenses in Crimea, Forcing russia to Divert Resources
Ukraine destroyed surface-to-air missile systems in Crimea, showing how russia is struggling to defend the peninsula. The strikes mean russia must draw resources away from other fronts, weakening its air capability, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have also successfully attacked airfields inside russia. The airstrikes force russian planes to fly further from the front line, increasing pilot fatigue as sortie times increase. It is possible that russia’s accidental loss of a bomber in North Ossetia was linked to pilot fatigue.
