Russia's Air Force is facing a serious challenge as it loses more of its advanced MiG-31K fighter jets, casting a shadow over its aerial capabilities.
The destruction and damage to these vital aircraft are a significant blow to Russia’s ability to carry out air operations, raising concerns about its future capabilities.
This was reported by WP Tech.
Heavy Losses at Savaslejka Air Base
On August 16, Ukrainian military intelligence reported a successful attack on the Savaslejka air base in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region. This strike destroyed two Il-76 transport planes and a MiG-31K fighter jet.
Additionally, five other aircraft, likely also MiG-31Ks, were damaged. This attack marks one of the most significant hits to Russia’s Air Force since the beginning of the war.
Just two days earlier, another attack on the same airbase resulted in the destruction of a fuel depot and damage to another MiG-31K fighter. The combined damage from these attacks has impacted Russia's ability to use its most advanced aircraft.
The MiG-31K is not just any fighter jet; it's a key part of Russia's military power, especially valued for its ability to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
These missiles can reach speeds of up to 10 times the speed of sound and hit targets as far as 2,000 kilometers away.
The launch of a MiG-31K often triggers air raid alerts across Ukraine due to the missile’s long range and destructive capability.
Reports suggest that the recent damage and destruction of six MiG-31Ks represent nearly 25% of Russia's operational fleet of these jets.
Western analysts believe Russia has no more than 24 MiG-31Ks in total. Losing such a large portion of this fleet is a significant setback for Russia, making it harder for them to carry out long-range strikes and maintain air superiority.
What This Means for Russia’s Military
While Russia has lost more of other types of aircraft, like the Su-25 or Su-34, these are not as advanced or as strategically important as the MiG-31K.
For instance, Russia still has a large number of Su-34s, with estimates suggesting over a hundred are still operational. However, the unique capabilities of the MiG-31K, particularly in launching hypersonic missiles, make its losses especially damaging.
