Limited aviation resources and strikes on defense enterprises force the enemy to change strategy
Russian missile production capacities are not growing at the expected pace due to successful Ukrainian air defense operations and losses of strategic aviation. The invaders are forced to adapt to new conditions, compensating for missile shortages with mass deployment of jet drones. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Лев Шевченко) citing Ivan Kyrychevskyi, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
According to Ivan Kyrychevskyi, a soldier of the 413th SBS Raid Regiment, the total number of missiles used by russia has already exceeded 12,000 units, yet the pace of their production has plateaued. One of the key factors behind this slowdown is the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defense units, which utilized Soviet S-300 systems to intercept subsonic cruise targets—a feat previously considered technically improbable.
Air defense impact and enemy tactical shifts
The russian command, facing a discrepancy between official reports and the actual results of strikes, has re-evaluated its use of weaponry. The focus has now shifted to psychological impact, where even isolated hits following massive attacks are used to pressure civilians and businesses. Simultaneously, the deployment of naval drones has successfully restricted the freedom of maneuver of the Black Sea Fleet, forcing the occupiers to relocate ships to the Caspian Sea.
Aviation crisis and strikes on industry
The enemy’s strategic aviation is also suffering significant depletion, with only about 38 combat-ready Tu-95MS bombers remaining out of an initial fleet of 60. The situation for the russian federation is further complicated by regular strikes from the Defense Forces against defense industry facilities, including the Kremniy El plant, which disrupted plans to scale up production of advanced cruise missiles.
The forced substitution of heavy missiles with jet drones like the Geran is a compromise, given that a single Kh-101 significantly outweighs several drones in terms of warhead power. Furthermore, it is possible that the Kremlin is stockpiling its existing inventory of precision-guided weapons in anticipation of a potential conflict with NATO, for which they continue to prepare militarily.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
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