As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine rages, the Ukrainian Air Force has reportedly complained that they have no answer to Russian 1.5-ton bombs.
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The new type of aerial bomb weighing 1.5 tons, Russia claims that these munitions cannot be shot down by Ukrainian air defense forces. This was confirmed by the speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuri Ignat.
Ignat also clarified that the bombs are equipped with wings and GPS navigation, and their strike range is more than 50 kilometers. He also added that Russia could use such ammunition indefinitely.
The increase in the production of such smart bombs is of particular concern to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, especially when the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not have the means to counter them.
Ignat emphasized that Patriot and SAMP\T systems are needed to combat these deadly bombs besides modern fighters, such as the F-16, capable of neutralizing Russian aircraft at long ranges.
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Ukrainian Air Force Lambasts Local Media
Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has lashed out at the Ukrainian media for manipulating headlines, urging them not to portray the transfer of MiG-29 fighters from Slovakia and Poland to Ukraine as a ‘victory.’
Ihnat’s statement was published on the Telegram channel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The comments suggest that some Ukrainian media outlets incorrectly estimated the number of MiG-29s in Ukraine.
They inferred that the presence of three fighter brigades implies that Ukraine’s fleet of MiG-29 fighter planes amounts to approximately 72.
“Where did the number 72 come from?” Ihnat angrily questioned. He points out that this assumption is inaccurate and urges the media to refrain from manipulating headlines and presenting misleading information.
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He clarified that he had reported multiple times that the Air Force had five fighter brigades, with three of them equipped with MiG-29s.
He also mentioned that the transfer of Polish and Slovak MiG-29s would improve the fighter aircraft’s capabilities in performing combat missions, but it would not address the larger issues of counteroffensive and achieving victory.
Ihnat highlighted that Ukraine requires modern multi-role fighter planes equipped with a diverse arsenal of weapons to gain air superiority and victory.
In addition to his comments on the incorrect estimation, Ihnat also mentioned that the Russian aerospace forces have started using an average of 10-15, and sometimes up to 20, glide bombs per day.
These bombs can travel up to 70 kilometers and weigh 500 kilograms each. The Su-34 and Su-35 airplanes drop these bombs from a significant distance.
Ihnat suggests that using Patriot air defense systems or Western fighter jets equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles is necessary to counter these attacks.
The Sumy region was apparently heavily attacked by the Russian military on the night of March 24 using glide bombs. At present, Ukraine lacks an effective defense against such bombs.
Media As A Propaganda Tool
Both sides are engaged in a media battle to present their views on the ongoing conflict. Misinformation and disinformation cloud the true nature of the war, making it difficult for most people to comprehend the actual situation and its potential consequences.
Although a deadly war is raging in Ukraine, the deaths and destruction are not accurately reported by any independent or reliable source.
That being said, the information suggests that Ukraine is experiencing extensive obliteration by Russian missile and drone attacks. The conflict would have likely ended with negotiations if NATO support had not been provided.
While many Western media outlets are presenting Ukraine as victorious on the battlefield, the military leaders of Ukraine have acknowledged that Russia still holds superiority in various areas in the ongoing conflict.
For example, Ukrainian officials recently admitted that Moscow has 12 times more aircraft than Ukraine. Their advanced fighter jets are granting them increasing dominance in the skies over the conflict zone.
Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, several experts predicted that if the Russian aerospace forces were fully mobilized, they would rapidly achieve complete air superiority over Ukraine.
Contrary to initial predictions, the Russian Air Force could not establish and maintain complete control of the skies over Ukraine. But, over time, the Russian aerospace forces were able to attain regional air superiority.
The Ukrainian officials referred to the Russian air superiority as a significant danger and expressed that, at the moment, obtaining fresh air defense systems from the United States and its allies is the topmost priority for Ukraine.
Oleg Zhdanov, a Ukrainian military expert, also disclosed that the Ukrainian military had seen a change in Russia’s missile strike strategies, which a shortage of missiles may bring.
Overall, both sides attempt to manipulate the information flow to project their triumph on the battlefield. Nevertheless, the current state of the war appears to have reached a stalemate, and it is being reported that Ukraine may launch a counteroffensive in the upcoming weeks.
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