According to an August 7 intelligence review by the British Ministry of Defense, the Russian Aerospace Forces continue to spend significant resources in support of ground operations during the war against Ukraine, but without decisive operational effects.


British intelligence notes that in the summer, the tactical combat aircraft of the Russian Federation often flew more than 100 sorties per day, but mainly over the territory of Russia, in order to avoid the threat from Ukrainian air defenses.


"Russia is trying to overcome this problem by increasingly using basic free-fall bombs with nozzles that make it possible to increase the flight range. This allows aircraft to release bombs at a significant distance from the target, but the stability and accuracy of such strikes will still have to be demonstrated," it is said.


Intelligence also notes that in June 2023, Russian attack helicopters were effective during Ukrainian counteroffensive actions. However, in recent weeks it appears that Russia has become less able to provide an effective tactical air force in the southern part of the conflict.