Margo Gontar
russia has less than half of helicopters left of those they had on border with Ukraine before war. Of their attack aicrafts stationed at border before February 24, 25% are destroyed, according to Air Force of Ukraine data.
Overall russia has already los 131 aircrafts and 131 helicopters since war started, according to General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine. Independent researchers like Oryx generally give smaller numbers, but they use open data, and it has its complications: if aircraft was destroyed, but no photo or video was taken, or was taken but wasn’t posted online, research groups like Oryx can’t count it. They also emphasize that the actual figures of losses are likely to be significantly higher and that they are constantly updating information on destroyed military equipment when new photos or videos become available.
Of course, planes and helicopters are easier to deploy when needed than other military equipment or personnel, so the general figures are important. As for data on how many attack aircrafts russia overall, it depends where you look. But most estimates fluctuate between 1200 and 1500. For example, in March Flying Mag reported on 1,507 units russia could use in attack. There whole number provided is bigger but it includes support, training aircrafts etc .
According to command of Air Force of Ukraine before the start of the war russia had 450 aicrafts, 250 helicopters at borders with Ukraine, overall 700 aircraft. If you count of those numbers, then it means now russia mighht have 319 attack aicraft, 119 helicopters left of those that were brought to Ukrainian border before russia attacked, which means 25% aicrafts are destroyed ad less than half of helicopters left of those that russia had on border with Ukraine before the war.
On February 24, Russia attacked Ukraine. We continue to follow the development of the situation. If you have information about Russian troops movement or any other information you want to share with us, email us via [email protected] or text in telegram on @JavelinSt. For particularly sensitive data – reach out, we will send more encrypted channels.
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