The percentage of aircraft usage by Russians and KAB strikes has significantly decreased following the permission granted to partners to strike Russian territory with Western weapons. This was stated by Yuri Fedorenko, commander of the "Achilles" battalion of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, in an interview with Kyiv24.
"At the moment, due to the use of precision weapons and permission for their application, the percentage of aviation employed by the enemy for strikes with guided aerial bombs has dropped significantly. This means that fewer KABs are hitting Ukrainian cities and positions. This allows us to prepare our positions more carefully, fortify them, and reduces the fire impact on our locations where artillery and other necessary equipment for defensive actions are stationed," Fedorenko noted.
Moreover, according to the military, the Defense Forces have managed to establish fire control over the enemy's ammunition storage facilities located nearby.
"Our long-range drones combined with precision weapons now prevent the enemy from transporting and unloading shells at a logistic distance convenient for them. They are forced to disperse their locations and operate in different areas. This complicates logistics, causing delays. The longer they take to deliver supplies, the fewer shots they can fire," Fedorenko commented.
He stated that the fewer shots the enemy can make, the more opportunities we have for defense. The commander added:
"Therefore, yes, precision weapons are one of the essential components that can significantly influence the turning point of combat actions in favor of the Defense Forces and enhance our state's defensive capabilities if available in satisfactory quantities."
Strikes on Russian Territory - Details
As reported by UNIAN, on November 17, media spread information about the lifting of the ban for Ukraine to carry out strikes with ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP missiles on Russian territory. It was noted that currently, permission to strike is only applicable to the Kursk region, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting operations and holding part of the territory.
Additionally, on November 25, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck several important targets of Russian occupiers in the Bryansk, Kaluga, and Kursk regions of Russia. It was reported that there is confirmation of a successful strike on an oil depot in the Kaluga region, while the results of combat operations on other targets are being clarified.
Furthermore, reports indicated that the "Kursk-Eastern" airfield, which serves as a base for the 14th Fighter Regiment of the RF, was specifically targeted. A Russian S-400 complex was also hit. It was noted that in the video of the attack on the airfield, at least 5 ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads could be seen "arriving."
Forbes analyst David Ax wrote that during the night of November 25, a major Russian airfield "Khalino," the closest to the site of the Battle of Kursk, was hit. He pointed out that it is logical that the Russian Air Force placed its main Su-25 attack aircraft at this base. According to the Ukrainian analytical group Frontelligence Insight, as a result of the airstrike, the airfield was "potentially temporarily incapacitated." Ax speculated that the strike on "Khalino" could have incapacitated several Su-25s.