Ukraine Missed Chance to Destroy Russia’s Best Warplanes Due to White House Decision—Now It's Too Late

Ukraine had a chance to blow up Russia’s best warplanes on the tarmac, but the White House said no—now it's too late. Learn what happened

Ukrainian Forces Intensify Strikes on Russian Airfields Amid Escalation Risks

 

For months, Ukrainian officials have been requesting their foreign allies to allow the use of advanced weaponry, particularly powerful ballistic missiles, to target Russian airfields where warplanes are parked in the open. These planes have been launching attacks on Ukrainian cities from close proximity, causing significant damage and casualties. However, these allies have hesitated, fearing the potential for escalation as the conflict grinds into its 29th month.

 

Growing impatient, Ukrainian forces have taken matters into their own hands, stepping up attacks on Russian airfields using Ukrainian-made munitions. On Saturday, Ukrainian drones targeted Morozovsk air base in southern Russia, about 200 miles from the eastern Ukraine front line. The Ukrainian intelligence directorate reported that the raid destroyed a Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber, damaged two additional Su-34s, and set an ammunition warehouse ablaze.

 

Destruction and Impacts:

 

- Satellite imagery released by Ukrainian intelligence showed extensive areas of scorched earth at Morozovsk, resulting from the ammunition detonation.

- The attack on Morozovsk, though not the first, is among the most destructive, highlighting the vulnerability of Russian airfields.

 

The Ukrainian strategy is clear: by targeting airfields near the Russia-Ukraine border, they aim to dismantle the key enablers of Russia's glide-bombing campaign, specifically the warplanes and their bombs. Since the introduction of satellite-guided glide bombs, the Russian air force has increased their use, with Su-34 fighter-bombers frequently launching these munitions from beyond the range of Ukraine's air defenses.

 

Effects of Russian Glide Bombs:

 

- These bombs, thanks to their wings, can hit targets from 25 miles or more, causing significant damage.

- The Russians drop up to 100 KABs daily, some weighing over three tons, leading to devastating impacts, particularly in urban areas. These bombs can demolish buildings, trap people in basements, and complicate rescue operations.

 

Ukrainian forces have made it a priority to blunt this bombing campaign by targeting the bombers and their bombs. A critical opportunity arose earlier this summer when a significant number of Su-34s were parked openly at Voronezh Malshevo air base, 100 miles from the Ukrainian border. Despite Ukrainian pleas to use American-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets, which are highly effective and difficult to intercept, the Biden administration denied the request, maintaining that Ukraine could only use ATACMS within Russian-occupied Ukraine.

 

Russian Countermeasures:

 

- In response to the diplomatic discussions regarding ATACMS, Russia proactively relocated many of its Su-34s from border airfields to bases hundreds of miles away, beyond the reach of most Ukrainian drones and ATACMS.

- While some Su-34s and KAB bombs remain at border airfields like Morozovsk, the majority are now stationed at more secure locations, making them harder to target.

 

Ukrainian forces face a challenging situation: to effectively end the Russian glide-bombing campaign, they need to destroy a large number of Su-34s and their munitions. However, the smarter deployment of these assets by Russia has complicated Ukraine's efforts. If permission to use ATACMS against Russian bases is granted in the future, it might come too late to significantly impact the current strategic landscape, as many valuable targets are now out of reach.

 

This ongoing conflict underscores the complexities and high stakes involved in modern warfare, where the interplay between advanced weaponry, strategic decisions, and international diplomacy can significantly influence outcomes on the battlefield.