In Ukrainian drone attack: Freuding: Russia loses one in ten strategic bombers

The Ukrainian secret service has scored a coup with its drone attack on Russian military airports. It claims to have hit a good 40 aircraft. According to German Major General Freunding, the number is fewer. And it's unlikely to have any short-term impact on Russian attacks, he explains.

Last weekend's Ukrainian drone attack on Russian targets, some of them far away, likely damaged about ten percent of Russia's strategic bombers, according to German sources. Major General Christian Freuding said in a YouTube podcast that more than a dozen aircraft were likely damaged. These included TU-95 and TU-22 aircraft, as well as A-50 reconnaissance aircraft. Ukrainian intelligence had reported 41 damaged or destroyed Russian combat and reconnaissance aircraft.

The A-50s, which, like NATO's AWACS aircraft, are responsible for aerial situational awareness, were likely not operational when they were hit, Freuding said. They could also no longer be used as spare parts stores for other aircraft. This is a loss for Russia, as there were only a handful of these aircraft left even before the attack.

According to U.S. insiders, the U.S. estimates that Ukraine's drone attack hit up to 20 Russian fighter jets, destroying about 10 of them. Experts say it will take Russia years to replace them.

Despite the losses, Freuding does not expect an immediate reduction in Russian attacks on Ukraine, as the country still possesses 90 percent of its strategic bombers, which can deliver ballistic and cruise missiles in addition to bombs. However, there is an indirect impact, as the remaining aircraft have to fly more missions. This wears them out faster. Furthermore, the Ukrainian attack has had an enormous psychological impact. Russia felt secure in its vast territory, which also explains why the aircraft were barely protected. That will now change.

According to Freuding, Ukraine attacked two airfields about 100 kilometers from Moscow, as well as Olenya airfield in the Murmansk region and Belaya airfield, using drones trained with artificial intelligence. A fifth attack on Ukrainka airfield near the Chinese border failed.