long-range Russian air force to the rescue, under threat from kyiv

First week of war in Ukraine, between February 26 and March 5, 2022. Zhitomir, 150 kilometers west of kyiv. Every evening at nightfall, the reactors are heard in the dark. Medium altitude, maximum stress for populations. The windows shake. These are the Russian fighter-bombers. From time to time explosions, the orange gleams, the planes dropped their destructive and deadly charges.

Bombings from the Russian air force on the city of Zhitomir, Ukraine.
Credits: Nicolas Tonev/Europe 1

kyiv, a few days later: constant warning sirens, the din of anti-aircraft missile fire, planes passing by again… It was the start of the offensive, the Russian fighter-bombers still had the audacity to venture into the heart of Ukraine. The losses are numerous: according to the counts, at least 60 bombers and fighter-bombers like the Sukhoi 25, 30 and very recent 34 are shot down. Airmen take many risks over a territory richly equipped with missiles to counter them.

Bomb Ukraine from a safe distance

The Russian generals draw conclusions and change tactics. They also use the “Dalnaya Aviatsia”, long-range aviation and long-range aviation. The idea is simple: bomb Ukraine from a safe distance with aircraft that will fire their missiles from Russian or Belarusian territories.

Only the largest supersonic bomber in the world, the Tupolev 160, is apparently not yet summoned for these actions, but all the other most powerful aircraft manufactured in Soviet times are used: the gigantic and spectacular Tupolev 95 propeller often launcher of the KH 101 cruise missiles, the Tupolev 22, launcher of the KH22, also used on the Afghan and Syrian fronts, and still the fastest aircraft in the world in service, the Mig 31, for the very modern and rare Kindjal hypersonic missile. The best, or the most terrible of the current Russian air arsenal.

An air-to-surface missile fell in the middle of the city which caused great damage.
Credits: Nicolas Tonev/Europe 1

Russian generals overtaken by kyiv strategists

This one has the merit, in the eyes of the Kremlin strategists, of being able to fire all types of air-to-ground missiles in the possession of the Russian forces: the oldest, the heaviest, the fastest, in order to saturate the Ukrainian defenses. The plan was therefore perfect until the strikes attributed to kyiv on the very important air bases of Ryazan and Engels, more than 500 kilometers inside Russian territory.

The military cost is not enormous for the Russian air force, with perhaps two planes damaged and three soldiers killed. But once again, Vladimir Putin’s generals seem surprised, overtaken by kyiv’s strategists. As if no matter what, they always had to end up having an idea, a battle behind. Long-range aviation is no longer really safe, nor really in a dangerous position.

But the Russian general staff finds itself with a small additional stone in its shoes: this weapon, combined with the ships and the artillery, is essential to maintain a maximum pressure on kyiv. It serves much more than expected at the start of the offensive. To keep it fully operational, the Russians must therefore strengthen the protection of these bases and mobilize men and equipment on the spot. This may be one of the effects sought by the Ukrainian forces.