In a recent development, Ukrainian drone strikes have reportedly damaged one, possibly two, of Russia's scarce Su-57 stealth fighters at the Akhtubinsk airbase deep within Russian territory. This incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Russian airbases, even those located hundreds of miles from the Ukrainian border.
Justin Bronk, an airpower expert at the Royal United Services Institute, suggests that Ukraine is strategically targeting these bases to force Russia to either relocate its aircraft or dedicate significant resources to their defence.
The location of combat aircraft has always been a strategic dilemma. While closer proximity to the front lines allows for quicker response times and heavier payloads, it also exposes aircraft to enemy attacks. Ukraine has previously demonstrated this vulnerability with successful strikes against Russian aircraft parked near the border.
However, the recent attacks appear to be part of a more systematic campaign targeting airbases with drones, mirroring the 2022 tactic of using HIMARS rockets to disrupt Russian logistics.
The details of the damage inflicted on the Su-57s remain unclear. While satellite images suggest relatively minor damage, the aircraft's nose and tail sections appear to have been affected, potentially impacting critical systems like radar and sensors.
The success of the Ukrainian drones in bypassing Russia's extensive jamming capabilities is also noteworthy. While Russia's electronic warfare has been effective against Western-supplied weapons, it appears less capable of protecting the country's interior.
The attack itself may be a symbolic blow against a symbolic target. Russia possesses only a few Su-57s, which are often touted as the equivalent of the US F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. Much like the T-14 Armata tank, the Su-57 has been largely absent from the conflict in Ukraine.
The primary threat to Ukraine currently comes from older Russian jets like the Su-34 and Su-35, which are used to deploy glide bombs and support ground troops. While the arrival of F-16 fighters may help Ukraine, cheap attack drones could prove a viable alternative in countering this threat.
