Russian strikes have forced Ukraine to make difficult decisions between providing more air defense (air defense) to large population centers in the rear or more to active combat zones at the front, Ukrinform reported, citing the latest analysis of the Institute for the Study of War (IIV).
Russia appears to be taking advantage of the “degraded air defense umbrella” in an attempt to crash Ukraine's power grid and limit the capacity of Ukraine's military-industrial complex (MMC).
„Russian ground forces are taking advantage of their ability to use airstrikes on Ukrainian frontline positions to ensure a slow but steady advance, the IIV analysis states.
According to the experts of the IIV, the loose and inconsistent distribution of air defense along the front probably favors the strengthening of airstrikes with guided and unguided cruise missiles. They were used by Russian forces to tactical effect in the capture of Avdeyevka in February this year and are being used again in the current offensive near Chasov Yar.
Ukrinform recalls that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated in an interview with the German newspaper "Bild" that Ukraine is successfully producing its own drones, but drones cannot replace air defense systems, long-range salvo missile systems or artillery.