Using those weapons and other assets, Ukraine's air force is able to do "a couple of strikes a day" at ranges "a little bit farther than HIMARS can get right now, but not real far out at all," Hecker said. Long-range sensors and missiles allow Russian aircraft to target Ukrainian aircraft behind the front lines, further limiting Ukrainian operations, but Kyiv's jets continue to launch strikes on Russian forces, often relying on US weaponry to do so. They're not doing a whole lot because they can't go over and do close air support," Hecker said. "The problem is both of the Russian as well as the Ukrainian success in integrated air and missile defense have made much of those aircraft worthless. Hecker told reporters at the Air and Space Forces Association symposium this month that Russia's larger air force still has jets it could devote to the war, as does Ukraine, but both face an issue. James Hecker, the commander of US Air Forces in Europe. Ukraine is estimated to have lost more than 60 aircraft and Russia more than 70, according to Gen. While Russian and Ukrainian aircraft are still active, each side's air-defense weapons - such as major Soviet-era anti-aircraft systems like the S-300 or newer shoulder-fired missiles like the US-made Stinger - have forced the other to make tactical adaptations, such as launching less-accurate rocket attacks from longer ranges rather than sending aircraft to provide close air support over the front lines. This has severely limited the role that fighter jets have played in the conflict, and it's a preview of what US troops could face in the future, US Air Force officials say. US pilots and ground troops may face a similar situation in future wars, US Air Force leaders say.Īfter a year of fighting, neither the Russian nor Ukrainian air forces have been able to take control of the skies over Ukraine. ![]() Neither Russian nor Ukrainian aircraft have been able to establish air superiority over Ukraine.Īs a result, neither side is able to provide close air support to its troops on the front line. ![]() A Ukrainian Su-25 close air support jet flies low over the Donetsk region in June 2022.
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