Russian military bloggers call it the “biggest blow since the invasion of Ukraine”
US general: “It is difficult to use Russian fighter jets and helicopters to support ground forces”
Some predict that “Russia will adapt like HIMARS.”
A day after Ukrainian forces attacked two Russian military airports with U.S.-backed ATACMS long-range missiles, Russian President Vladimir Putin disparaged the Russian military’s ability to block ATACMS attacks, saying they would have little impact on the battlefield. did.
However, experts say that Atacs can significantly change the situation, the New York Times (NYT) reported on the 18th (local time).
Dan Rice, president of the American University of Kiev, said Putin “has no means of stopping ballistic missiles.” “It’s just empty propaganda,” he countered. He emphasized, “Supply depots, command posts, and military concentration areas within 160km of the front line have become dangerous.”
Russian military bloggers also paid attention to the terrible damage suffered by the ATACMS missile attack.
A Telegram channel called “Fighterbomber,” said to be run by Russian Army Captain Ilya Tumanov, called the attack on Atequms “one of the biggest blows” suffered since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Reserve Lieutenant General Frederick Hodges, former commander of the U.S. European Command, predicted that Atacs will have an impact on the battlefield both immediately and in the long term. He said that the first ATACMS attack caused significant damage to the Russian fighter jet and helicopter fleet, and pointed out that the Russian military will have difficulty attacking Ukrainian forces as it moves its air force weapons away from the front lines.
The U.S. War Institute (ISW) also said in a report on the 17th about Russian helicopters destroying Ukrainian armored equipment in close proximity to the front line, “If they move to a rear airport, their stay in the air will be longer, which will affect the support operations of the Russian Air Force.” “He said.
General Hodges emphasized that ATAX will ultimately help cut off Russia’s connection to the Crimean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, some experts say the Russian military has adapted to Ukraine’s new offensive capabilities in the past and could do so again this time.
Tom Karako, a military expert at the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), emphasized that the ATAX provided to Ukraine is small, so high-value targets such as ammunition depots and military airports must be carefully selected and used. He predicted, “Due to the small quantity, it will not be able to change the situation dramatically.”
Some experts recalled the withdrawal of Russian troops last summer when High Mobility Multiple Launch Rockets (HIMARS) were provided to Ukraine to attack the supply lines of Russian troops stationed in southern Kherson.
Konrad Mzyka of Lochan Consulting, a Polish security analysis firm, wrote in a report dated the 18th, “It is clear that Ukraine was able to bypass the Russian defense line in the Zaporizhya region and attack the Krum Peninsula thanks to ATACMS.” He added that Ukrainian forces now have the ability to attack across the Dnipro River from Kherson.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.