Ukraine has found a weak spot in Russia's air defense system
Ukrainian analysts claim to have identified a vulnerability in Russia’s combat aviation defense system.
According to their data, strikes on airfields in occupied Crimea, particularly in the Saki area, have demonstrated an effective method for taking out Russian fighter jets stationed in shelters. After analyzing satellite imagery, it became clear exactly how such strikes can inflict damage on enemy aircraft.
The occupiers constructed reinforced shelters at 14 air bases around Ukraine. The first construction work began in the spring of 2024.
The photos show that the metal gates were blown out by the explosion, and sheets of metal lie next to the shelter. A Su-24 frontline bomber, which was supposed to be protected by tires, stands next to the shelter.
“On the shelter, located in the upper left corner of the general view, traces of a drone warhead explosion are visible in the metal gate structure. Parts of the metal structures are also lying nearby,” the analysts write.
It is noted that identical metal sheets are scattered next to other shelters, which directly indicates that the strikes effectively hit the gate structure itself. And on the shelter located at the bottom right of the general view, there are two impact marks. The authors added that the first hit was on the gate, and the second was on the concrete shelter itself.
Analyzing the photo, analysts noted that, with a high degree of probability, the vertical tail fin of the Su-30 fighter jet standing nearby was damaged. They speculated that this aircraft had been damaged during a previous attack.
In addition, four Su-24 frontline bombers are visible in the upper right corner of the overall image. “They have damage that renders them unfit for flight, but these aircraft were clearly damaged much earlier, and now the enemy is attempting to use the damaged aircraft as decoys,” the article added.
Thus, strikes on the gate area have become an effective way to neutralize the new Russian aircraft shelters. The specifications of this structural element are unknown, but the thickness of standard Soviet A13-type (AU-13) shelters is known. At that time, it was standard practice to construct steel gates approximately 50 cm thick.
This is reported by the military portal Defence Express.
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