Ukraine tries to weaken Russian air defences before receiving F-16s - ISW

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by ISW.

"It is likely that Ukrainian troops are taking measures aimed at degrading Russian air defence, which, if successful, could allow Ukraine to use manned aircraft more effectively in the long term," the report said.

ISW analysts recall that on the night of 12 June, Ukrainian troops struck one S-300 battery and two S-400 batteries near the occupied Belbek and Sevastopol in Crimea.

The Institute for the Study of War also emphasises that geolocation images published on 12 June show damaged and destroyed Russian S-300 assets north of occupied Yevpatoriya and a destroyed Russian S-400 radar system south of occupied Dzhankoy, which confirms the Ukrainian General Staff's report of 10 June on strikes on Russian air defence assets in these areas.

It is noted that the destruction of Russian air defence systems in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation prompted the Russian command to move air defence assets from Crimea to this territory, which in turn worsened air defence on the temporarily occupied peninsula.

Analysts believe that Ukrainian forces may be trying to actively weaken Russian air defences before Ukraine receives a significant number of aircraft to create conditions for Ukraine's future use of manned aircraft closer to the front line. 

The Ukrainians could eventually work towards a concept of operations that combines airpower to support ground operations if the Ukrainian military receives enough fighter jets, Western partners train enough qualified pilots, and if Ukraine succeeds in reducing Russian air defence capabilities.

ISW recalls that Ukrainian and Western officials have previously noted that it will take considerable time to properly train enough Ukrainian pilots and equip the Ukrainian Armed Forces with at least 150 F-16s to gain air superiority and support ground operations.

As reported by Ukrinform, some of the F-16s that the partners will provide to Ukraine will be stored at secure airbases abroad.