Russian air force losing combat aircraft 20 times faster than they can be replaced

The Armed Forces of Ukraine has reportedly inflicted significant losses on Russia's air force, amounting to 13 kills in 13 days.

According to Nicholas Aucott, the senior military advisor at the UK Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Russia is losing jets 20 times faster than they can be replaced in the conflict.

"Ukraine has continued to inflict significant losses on Russia's invasion force, shooting down another three Sukhoi Su-34 fighter bombers in regions near Avdiivka and Mariupol, in the latest blow to Russia's airforce," he said.

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"This brings the total to 12 Sukhoi planes brought down in a 13-day period and 13 Russian planes overall, including the loss of the A-50U radar aircraft I spoke of last week.

"The repeated destruction of warplanes is a significant setback for Russia's war effort, given that Russia is struggling to produce more than a few dozen each year due to sanctions, with reports suggesting that Russia is losing jets 20 times faster than they can replace them."

He added: "Now in the third year of war, Russia's plan to surround Kyiv within three days, bring down the government, and subjugate most of the country in less than a month has spectacularly failed in its objectives."

Mr Aucott also said that Russia's "illegal actions have strengthened the Nato alliance".

In February, Ukraine's MOD reported that six Russian warplanes had been destroyed in three days, including an Su-34 fighter bomber and an Su-35 fighter.

The Ukrainians also claimed that these types of supersonic strike aircraft were proving particularly vulnerable to their air defences.

He added: "The United Kingdom recognises that now is the time to double down on our support so Ukraine not only wins the war but emerges from it stronger, with its sovereignty and freedom fully restored.

"By doing so, we make sure that Russia pays the price and its efforts to undermine global stability are stopped in their tracks.

"If we allow Russia to lay waste to this stability, the risks to the world order and to us all are grave."