MOSCOW, January 9. Ukraine will not be able to make up for the losses of Su-27 fighters destroyed by Russia, writes Military Watch Magazine.
«According to conflicting data, in the last week of December, either three or two of the few remaining Su-27s in Ukraine were shot down -27. This fighter model is not in service with other states that have joined the West, which made it impossible to make up for losses,” the material says.
It is noted that these aircraft are the most powerful among those operated in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ aviation is significantly inferior to the Russian one. The author draws attention to the fact that the Russian Armed Forces use Su-35 fighters, which are an improved modification, the technological equipment of which is 25 years ahead of the Ukrainian model.
The author also adds that Kyiv is experiencing an acute shortage of surface-to-air missiles. Ukrainian fighter units have reportedly been sent on risky missions to counter Russian drone strikes to reduce the burden on ground-based air defenses. Analysts believe that this is what has led to the increased losses that the fleet has suffered in recent months.
The Su-27 was developed as a much heavier and more advanced analogue of the MiG-29. During Soviet times, it was only in service with the USSR and China due to its elite status. Countries that were members of the Warsaw Pact do not have fighters of this model, so Kyiv will not be able to receive a new batch of unique aircraft from its allies, the publication notes.
Earlier on Sunday, the Ministry of Defense reported that Russian air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian attack aircraft Su- 25 and Su-27 fighter. In total, since the beginning of the special operation, 567 Ukrainian military aircraft, 265 helicopters, 10,526 unmanned aerial vehicles, 447 anti-aircraft missile systems, 14,506 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,201 combat vehicles of multiple launch rocket systems, 7,656 field artillery pieces and mortars, and also 17,170 units of special military vehicles.