Russian Su-35 Fighters Finally Manage To Achieve ‘Air Superiority’ In Ukraine War; Key Reason Behind Avdiivka Success?.
Russia’s inability to establish air superiority in Ukraine had shocked military observers. However, the recent Russian assault to capture Avdiivka indicates the temporary establishment of limited and localized air superiority to provide close air support to ground troops during the final days of their offensive.
It is the first instance of Russia achieving air superiority, and with Ukrainian air defense missile stock getting finished in March 2024, Russian forces may be able to replicate the success of Avdiivka.
A report by the US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) contends that “delays in Western security assistance may lead to further significant constraints on Ukrainian air defenses.”
This has been contrary to the Russian Air Force’s performance in the war since 2022. Russia’s air force underperformed in Ukraine and suffered notable losses of some key aircraft. “Air parity, not air superiority,” was the status between them.
The Russian Air Force suffered substantial losses. The Kamov Ka-52 Hokum B attack helicopter fleet has lost 40 percent of its pre-war strength, with the Mil Mi-35 Hind and Mi-28N Havoc B inventory having depleted too.
Russia’s inventory of Mi-8MTPR-1 HIP electronic warfare helicopters is also at least 20 percent less than at the start of the war. Those losses, along with others, like two-seater Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback fighter ground-attack aircraft and Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack aircraft, are reflected in the upcoming 2024 edition of The Military Balance.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has claimed that Russian forces have established “full control” over Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, as Russian forces continued to advance in the settlement on February 17, and Ukrainian forces have likely withdrawn from Avdiivka.
Geolocated footage published on February 17 shows that Russian forces advanced into northern Avdiivka along the railway line, in the eastern part of the Avdiivka Coke Plant, and the industrial area near the Avdiivka quarry in northeastern Avdiivka. Additional geolocated footage shows that Russian forces advanced into central Avdiivka from the south and captured the City Administration and Palace of Culture buildings.
The US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) studied the Russian campaign in Avdiivka and found that the Russian forces have gradually increased the use of glide bombs throughout the theatre since 2023.
On February 17, according to the spokesperson for a Ukrainian brigade operating near Avdiivka, Russian forces launched 60 KAB glide bombs in a day. The Russians had reportedly launched up to 500 glide bombs at Avdiivka in recent days.
Glide bombs have a range upto 70 kilometers. Russian forces began using the glide bombs to allow tactical aircraft to conduct strikes deep within its territory to avoid losing fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Commander Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi stated that Russian forces conducted 73 airstrikes in the Tavriisk direction (Avdiivka through western Zaporizhia Oblast) on February 14, a record number, as Russian forces intensified their tactical turning movement in Avdiivka.
Russians have been crediting the Russian use of glide bombs in overcoming Ukrainian defenses in Avdiivka, and some Russian military bloggers asserted that Russian forces have air superiority in the area.
A Russian Storm-Z instructor claimed that Russian forces had earlier struggled to conduct mass airstrikes in close air support operations.
“The Russian ability to conduct these mass strikes for several days in the most active part of the frontline suggests that Ukrainian forces were not able to deny them access to the airspace around Avdiivka,” the ISW report mentions.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/russian-su...o-achieve/
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Russia federation with 40k lost and reaching 500k Casualty, he, Putin don't care at all....a suck blood man 
