Ukraine: Drone attacks in the heart of Russia, mostly symbolic success

The dispatch of drones against two Russian air bases located hundreds of kilometers from its border represents an important symbolic victory for Ukraine, demonstrating its ability to counter the enemy’s clear superiority in weapons.

On Monday, Moscow blamed Ukrainian forces for the attack on two airbases on its soil, saying three soldiers were killed and two planes were lightly damaged.

Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack, but Western experts told AFP it was carried out by 1970s Soviet-made reconnaissance drones.

Although there are still unknowns, experts note that this is a limited but very effective operation on a symbolic level.

soviet drones

Various sources mention drones Tupolev Tu-141 “Strizh” – reconnaissance, large Soviet aircraft capable of flying at high altitudes. In that case, these drones they will be modified to be able to bomb,” Vikram Mittal, a professor at the US Military Academy at West Point, who acts like a suicide drone that self-destructs on impact, told AFP.

“It’s not a complex technology,” Jean-Christophe Noel, an expert at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), told AFP.

But the Ukrainians could add an explosive charge and GPS guidance, or even “final guidance by Ukrainian special forces” on Russian territory.

Two strategic goals

According to the Ministry of Defense RussiaKyiv “tried to commit terrorist attacks with drones Soviet development against the Dyagilevo air base in the Ryazan region and the Engels air base in the Saratov region” (in the center).

Moscow accuses its adversary of trying to “disable Russian long-range aircraft” that are being used in targeted strikes against numerous energy infrastructures in Ukraine.

Depth of attacks

The affected bases are located several hundred kilometers from the border with Ukraine and even further from the front line.

The attacks are a response to Russian shelling deep into Ukrainian territory.

While they have nothing to do with the lethality and targets of the Russian attacks (no civilians were harmed and no critical infrastructure was harmed), Ukraine demonstrates its significant capabilities for long-range attack.

“Capacity Ukraine aiming at that distance is impressive,” former Australian General Mick Ryan tweeted.

The Ukrainians “could have resorted to the help of third parties to plan the mission, but this is not certain. Perhaps a combination of open sources, information about the failures of the Russian defense network and surveillance from the ground was enough, ”he said. said.

Russian weakness

The biggest Ukrainian victory was the obvious effect of surprise and the inability of the Russians to counter it before the start of the war. drones get closer to your goals.

“The most amazing thing is that these drones were able to overcome the Russian surface-to-air air defense systems, says Vikram Mittal.

Rob Lee, a researcher at King’s College London, sees this as a very bad sign for Moscow.

“If Russian radars and air defense systems cannot interfere with the Tu-141 flying hundreds [de kilómetros] away from the main air base of its strategic bombers in a combat situation does not bode well for its ability to prevent a massive cruise missile strike,” he says.

symbolic impact

“It’s a psychological blow” that “will strike terror into an opinion that thought it was safe from war,” said Ryan, who is curious to see “the reaction of the Russian propaganda machine.”

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on Tuesday noted the abundance of criticism in the Telegram accounts of Russian military observers.

(According to AFP)

OUR PODCASTS

“Espacio Vital”: Dr. Luis Ersilla, an infectious disease specialist and tropical doctor at the Alberto Sabogala National Hospital in Es Salud, said that 35% of heterosexuals are infected by sex workers or that they had a temporary partner and did not use a condom. He also reported that 85% of women get infected from their partners, who also do not use condoms. He said prevention in education is about using a condom, and if you don’t do that during intercourse, you should get an HIV test.

Fernando Carvallo selects information and shares his vision of national and international news. sign to our Las cosas newsletter, as they should be reading your daily columns.