Ukrainian Strikes Force Russia to Relocate Transport Aviation Deeper Into the Country

Russia has relocated a significant portion of its transport aviation to the east due to the threat of Ukrainian strikes.

This observation was made by user Athene Noctua on the X platform, based on a comparison of recent satellite images of transport aviation airfields.

According to the author of the analysis, airbases that fall within the potential strike zone of Ukrainian drones have seen a notable reduction in the presence of transport aircraft.

In Pskov, where a large number of Il-76 aircraft had been based, their near-total disappearance has been recorded. In Tver, mostly non-operational An-22 aircraft remain.

According to Sentinel-2 satellite data, Russian aircraft are now relocating almost daily to make detection and destruction more difficult.

Additionally, the author of the analysis provided figures on Russia’s military transport aviation, noting that the main ‘workhorse’ of tactical military aviation – Il-76 – remains in service with over 120 aircraft.

Other types of aircraft, such as An-124 Ruslan, An-12, and An-22 Antei have around ten units of each type currently in service.

The author of the analysis emphasizes that conducting another operation similar to the Spiderweb operation could significantly impact logistics and the pace of supplying modern missile systems. This approach is far more effective than costly defensive measures aimed at intercepting the missiles themselves.

Disrupting logistics is a direct blow to Russia’s strategic flexibility, as transport aviation is used to carry various systems, such as Iskander, and their missile armaments.

Constant relocation of equipment complicates the support of offensive capabilities. For Ukraine, this is an opportunity to limit Russian missile attacks at the preparation stage, rather than in the air.

Successful continuation of strategic strikes on transport logistics could have consequences no less serious than attacks on warehouses or airfields.

Militarnyi previously reported that after the Spiderweb operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine, Russian strategic aviation had been forced to relocate to the Far East, significantly complicating strikes on Ukrainian territory.