Kharkiv has emerged as a critical battleground in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Recently, the Russian Northern Army has made some headway in its significant offensive here. In response, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Crimea, achieving notable successes.
In a surprising development, Reuters reports that Ukrainian forces used long-range missiles to strike a Russian air defense base in Crimea, destroying the base’s radar and killing its commander, Colonel Alexander. Following this, the Ukrainian military, with the aid of U.S.-supplied ATACMS (Army Tactical Missiles), targeted the Russian Belbek Air Base on the Crimean Peninsula. This strike resulted in the destruction of several Russian fighter jets and a massive fuel depot, leading to the loss of 450,000 liters of aviation fuel.
Maxar Technologies, an American company, utilized its satellites to monitor this major Ukrainian offensive. The satellite images confirmed the ATACMS missile strike, which destroyed a MiG-31 heavy interceptor, three Su-27 fighters, and a Russian fuel depot. Additionally, the missile strike took out Russian S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, marking a significant achievement for the Ukrainian forces.
Belbek Air Base, the largest Russian airbase in Crimea, suffered substantial damage. Many Russian aircraft, parked outside under basic hangar covers, became easy targets, resulting in considerable losses. Despite the proven capability of the Russian S-300 and S-400 systems to intercept many Ukrainian missiles, this strike managed to destroy both systems in one go, presenting a serious challenge for the Russian military.
The conflict dynamics have shifted, with fighting moving to Kharkiv while Ukraine counters in Kherson and Crimea. Both sides aim to weaken the other and find an opportunity for a decisive strike. Despite the strength of the Russian military, Ukraine’s determination remains significant.
Kherson and Crimea are strategic points vulnerable to attacks. Crimea’s geography, almost surrounded by water, makes it a prime target for Ukraine. Using advanced technology, Ukrainian forces frequently deploy drones, including explosive ones, to strike Russian positions in Crimea from the sea.
Since the conflict began, the Russian Black Sea Fleet has suffered considerable losses due to Ukrainian attacks, including hits on the Belbek air base. Crimea’s proximity to Ukraine and its extensive coastline pose significant defense challenges for Russia. This situation raises doubts about the effectiveness of Russian weapons. The Ukrainian forces’ use of ATACMS missiles to destroy Russian air defense systems like the S-400 highlights vulnerabilities in Russia’s defense strategy.
The unpredictability of war is evident. For instance, in 1999, the Yugoslav Federation downed an F-117 stealth fighter with outdated SA-3 missiles from the 1960s. Stealth technology remains a focus for the US, China, and Russia. Ukraine's success against the S-400 using tactical missiles demonstrates that smart tactics can overcome advanced technology. While the S-300 and S-400 systems are sophisticated, they have exploitable flaws.
Despite these vulnerabilities, the Russian S-300 and S-400 systems have shown some success. Reports indicate that the Russian military intercepted 10 out of 16 Ukrainian tactical missiles fired at Crimea, achieving an interception rate of approximately 62%. This suggests that Russian air defenses might be more effective than some critics believe.
The current situation remains complex. While Ukraine is counterattacking toward Crimea, the disparity in military strength and weaponry between Russia and Ukraine presents significant challenges. Mobilizing Russian forces is difficult, akin to rousing a sleeping giant with a minor disturbance. The geographical barriers, such as Kherson and the Dnieper River, divide Crimea and Ukrainian positions. Ukraine would need to cross the river and secure substantial land on the other side to effectively mobilize against Russia. Such an operation would compel Russia to redeploy troops from Donbas. However, given Ukraine’s current military capabilities, such a river-crossing operation seems unlikely. While missile attacks on Russian forces can inflict damage, they are unlikely to significantly alter the broader strategic situation.
Ukraine should be allowed to attack sites in Russia where the missles,planes and artillary are sent from failure of the USA to let Ukraine do this lets Russia get the upper hand and the USA is no longer a trustworthy arms supplier due to its Putin controlled Rebublican Party.
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