Since February 27, a heavy transport plane Antonov 124-100 of the Russian company Volga-Dnepr is grounded at the Toronto airport. Following new sanctions put in place by Canada, responsibility for the aircraft will be transferred to the Ukrainian authorities. The Volga-Dnepr group is going through a very difficult period, with grounded planes, the obligation to separate 200 pilots,...
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Numerous photos and videos confirm that the Russian Armed Forces are moving T-54 medium tanks on their rail network. Their final destination seems to be Ukraine, but their usefulness there will be limited and they will be very vulnerable to Ukrainian battle tanks, delivered battle tanks or modern anti-tank systems. The longer the conflict in Ukraine drags on, the more the Russian Land Forces seem to pull out older and older vehicles from their stocks.
A video confirms the first confirmed destruction carried out by a Ukrainian Crotale NG anti-aircraft system. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have received two launchers and missiles from France to increase their anti-aircraft and anti-missile capabilities by the end of 2022.
Northern Macedonia has officially confirmed that this summer it transferred its 4 Su-25 attack aircraft to Ukraine. The latter had not been used since 2004 and will probably be cannibalized to maintain the Ukrainian Su-25 fleet. A delivery of Mi-24 Hind helicopter gunships is reportedly under discussion, but these are most likely Mi-24s that have also been retired and are not operational.
Two days after the collision between a Russian Su-27 Flanker and a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper, a USAF RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV was tasked with reconnaissance from Romania and also over the Black Sea. The U.S. is demonstrating that despite attempts at intimidation, reconnaissance flights continue in this region. A British RC-135W Rivet Joint and one of the few US Navy EP-3E Aries IIs (less than 20 in service) were also present in Romania.
Following the recent Polish announcement, Slovakia confirms that it will deliver 13 MiG-29 fighters, 10 of which are fully operational. A still unknown number of Kub-M2 short-range anti-aircraft systems will also be transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Poland is about to deliver four of its MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine in the next few days. These aircraft will be joined by others that require maintenance before delivery. In total, the Ukrainian Air Force is about to receive more than a dozen Polish fighter jets... and perhaps more, if other countries decide to follow Poland.
The U.S. European Command has released the video of its MQ-9 Reaper drone lost over the Black Sea. It is clearly possible to see that one of the Russian Su-27s collided with the rear of the drone. This video contradicts the version put forward by the Russians in their communiqué.
What do we know about the incident? What are the versions of both sides? Is it a first in terms of interception by Russian fighters? So many questions answered by Simon Desplanque on the airwaves of the podcast "20 minutes to understand".
A Russian Su-27 fighter jet collided with an American MQ-9 drone while on patrol in international airspace over the Black Sea. The MQ-9 then crashed, resulting in the total loss of the drone.
In the United States, discussions are reportedly underway for a possible delivery of AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles to equip Ukrainian combat aircraft. The use of this missile would be advantageous in several ways for Ukrainian pilots, but it would first be necessary to resolve numerous technical problems concerning the use of this American missile on Soviet-designed aircraft.
On the night of 27-28 February, the very important Tuapse refinery was attacked by drones. In order to prevent a second attack, the Russian Armed Forces deployed at least one Pantsir-S2 very short-range anti-aircraft system in the port of this city.
The Australian company SYPAQ has officially announced that its Corvo cardboard drones are currently in use in Ukraine. This low-cost drone is primarily designed for light transport. However, following feedback from Ukrainian soldiers, it can also perform reconnaissance missions.
Satellite images confirm that the Russian A-50 was not destroyed or damaged in Belarus. On the other hand, Belarusian opponents have clearly demonstrated that on at least two occasions they were able to fly a drone to the aircraft, even landing on the Mainstay radome.
The arrival of the UH-60M Black Hawk in Croatia has enabled the retirement of part of the Croatian Air Force's Mi-8 fleet in 2022. As a result, Croatia has decided that 14 of its helicopters will soon be transferred to Poland to be delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
On the night of 27-28 February, two suicide drones hit the Russian refinery in Tuapse. One building appears to have been hit by one of the two drones. This is the second drone attack identified in this time frame against energy targets and located at a very long distance from the front line in Ukraine.
Microsoft Flight Simulator, the world famous flight simulator, has just added the An-225 to its paying packages. The entire amount raised will be donated by Microsoft Flight Simulator to Antonov Airlines to help finance the construction of the second An-225.
The Ukrainians have once again launched a suicide drone on installations in the heart of Russia. Identified as a UJ-22, the drone in question crashed only a few meters from the fence of the targeted gas facilities.
An air attack reportedly took place in Belarus, damaging or destroying a Russian Beriev A-50 airborne surveillance and command aircraft. The attack was allegedly carried out by opponents of the Belarusian regime.
During a visit to Ukraine by the Polish Prime Minister, Ukraine received its first Leopard 2A4 battle tanks, delivered by Poland. Ukraine should soon receive many tanks, including a majority of Leopard 2s, allowing it to complete its mass of battle tanks.
Two images circulating on social networks confirm that the Russian Armed Forces have moved antediluvian BTR-50s to Ukraine. Their arrival is not yet explained, as these armored vehicles represent many challenges and few advantages over other retired but much newer vehicles.
A photo released by a Ukrainian intelligence service confirms that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have at least one Black Hawk transport helicopter in service.
Ukraine, represented by Defense Minister Reznikov, has signed a contract with France and Thales for the future delivery of a short-range anti-aircraft system. Although specific details of the system are not yet known, the contract already specifies that the system will include a Thales Ground Master 200 medium-range radar.
The U.S. DoD has released images of the first batch of M2 Bradley armored vehicles for the Ukrainian Forces and on their way to Europe. The images confirmed that the Ukrainians will not be receiving an older version, but one of the latest variants of the armored infantry fighting vehicle.
Hensoldt is supplying two more of its TRML-4D high-performance radars to strengthen Ukraine's air defence. The two radars will already be delivered in the next three months.
General Michel Yakovleff is a recognized strategist who has worked in various organizations including NATO. In this interview captionned on the Air&Cosmos TV set, he shares with us three scenarios for the end of the Russia/Ukraine conflict and the potential impacts. An interview mixing strategy, history and geopolitics.
At a press briefing of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, the head of the Cyber Defense Command analyzed the use of cyber in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, identifying three main lessons on the role of this "stealthy and discreet weapon, with a lightning effect".
The recent announcement of the delivery of the AMX-10 RC to Ukraine has launched many different classifications: light tank, battle tank, armored combat vehicle, etc. This article presents the French Armed Forces' point of view, a NATO definition of the battle tank and finally, a comparison of the characteristics of the AMX-10 RCR and the Leclerc battle tank according to this definition.
A video published on 31 December confirms that Poland has secretly transferred at least one Osa short-range anti-aircraft system. Since the launcher is covered, it is impossible to confirm whether it is the version modernized in the early 2000s or an earlier version. This is not the first discreet Polish delivery in this field, as a video published at the beginning of December confirmed the transfer of at least one Polish S-125 anti-aircraft system.
After decorating Ukrainian servicemen on the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now in the United States, to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and make a speech to the combined Senate and House of Representatives. This visit will also be an opportunity for the United States to announce new military aid to Ukraine, including for the first time the Patriot long-range anti-aircraft system.
After 299 days in Ukraine, the two Turkish A400Ms were again visible on the aircraft tracking sites. They left Ukrainian airspace from the west of Ukraine to pass through northern Romania before flying towards central Turkey. No Turkish fighter aircraft were visible, but a Turkish tanker and above all a Turkish advanced air surveillance and command aircraft were also flying over Romania.
The decision has not yet been made, but the idea is clearly being advanced in the United States. The MIMI-104 is considered one of the best long-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems in the world. Thus, a delivery of a few launchers will significantly increase the anti-aircraft and anti-missile capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Poland never announced the delivery of mobile anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, so the image published on social networks confirms that this is now the case. Ukraine still had some Soviet-era S-125s before the Russian invasion of February 2022, but the image clearly shows the Polish version, which was heavily modernized in the late 1990s.
Ground and satellite images now available confirm the damage of the December 5 attacks: Ukrainian drones damaged a Tu-22M3 bomber at the Russian air base of Dyagilevo and a Tu-95 bomber at the Russian air base of Engels-2.
Explosions were seen at two Russian air bases and confirmed by Russian media and social networks. Several media outlets also announced that the cause of these explosions would be a Ukrainian suicide drone. These airbases are home to Tu-95 bombers used to launch missiles on Ukraine.
Sébastien Lecornu, French Minister of Defense, confirmed in an interview that France has delivered two Crotale NG anti-aircraft systems and two Unitary Rocket Launchers to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also announced that a Ukrainian request was also being analyzed by the Ministry of Defense.
The recent Russian cruise missile strikes are also accompanied by numerous videos of interceptions. With the increase in quantity but also and above all in quality of the equipment delivered, the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defence is gradually becoming more powerful. The German Iris-T medium-range system seems to be particularly effective against Russian air targets.
The United States, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have arranged to deliver 90 T-72B tanks to Ukraine, but before they are delivered, some systems will be upgraded. Deliveries of anti-aircraft equipment also continue, with a new Italian system. Italy is also talking about the possibility of delivering long-range anti-aircraft systems. The list of recent deliveries continues with technical support from Lithuania, the delivery of Greek armor and perhaps a future delivery of Swedish self-propelled howitzers.
This information was announced at the opening of an exhibition on the An-225 Mriya at Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany. This second An-225 would use the second fuselage and other parts built up to 1994, as well as parts taken directly from the An-225 destroyed at Hostomel at the start of the war in Ukraine.
With the October 10-11 bombings of Ukrainian cities, deliveries of modern anti-aircraft systems appear to be accelerating for the United States and Germany. France has also announced the delivery of anti-aircraft systems in the coming weeks, and other countries are expected to follow suit.
Ukraine has very recently received the German anti-aircraft system IRIS-T SLM. This modern missile system can destroy a large number of different targets and represents a real step up for Ukrainian air defense.
The French Air Force is resuming an earlier-than-expected tour of policing the skies as part of NATO, and with Rafale fighter jets. France is also sending a squadron of Leclerc tanks and VBCI armored vehicles in the coming days, bringing the number of troops in Eastern Europe to nearly 1,500 once the deployments are complete.
Russian air cover in Ukraine seems to be gradually decreasing: Russian fighters remain over Russian lines or even in Russia or Belarus. But on several occasions, fighter aircraft have raided Ukrainian positions. As a result, on 24 September alone, four modern fighter aircraft were shot down by the Ukrainians.
On 30 September, the milestone of 1,200 Russian battle tanks destroyed, damaged, abandoned or captured by the Ukrainians was passed. In addition to this, the capture of the very recent Russian T-90M is almost intact, which will be very interesting to analyze. On a broader spectrum, Russia remains the leading supplier of combat vehicles and artillery to Ukraine since 24 February, with, for example, more than 400 tanks captured.
These multiple rocket launchers will soon be delivered as part of a new American aid package. This assistance is focused primarily on two areas: deep strike with the additional HIMARS and various transport vehicles. With the resumption of the war of movement, these assets will increase the mobility and firepower of the Ukrainian Army.
After heavy artillery systems, Ukraine is looking for modern anti-aircraft systems. According to CNN, the United States will soon announce the delivery of several Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This system is in service with 12 countries and is notably deployed for the air defense of Washington D.C.
On June 21, the German Defense Ministry officially released a listing of aid provided by Germany to Ukraine. The aid already provided mainly concerns infantry but also seven PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers. Future deliveries will support the ramp-up of systems already offered to the Ukrainians in several areas: multiple rocket launcher MARS, anti-aircraft armored vehicle Gepard, counter-battery radar COBRA, IRIS-T SLM system, etc.
For some time now, Ukraine has seen an increase in its self-propelled artillery capabilities. France, Germany and the Netherlands have announced the upcoming delivery of self-propelled howitzers. Ukraine has also contracted for rapid deliveries with Poland and the Czech Republic. The Ukrainians will also receive American and probably British rocket launchers with a range of 70 kilometers in less than a month.
With the war in Ukraine and the destruction of its main facilities, Antonov Airlines recently announced that it was temporarily redeploying to Leipzig-Halle airport. The remoteness of Ukraine will not make it easy to transport equipment and personnel. However, the main reason for this decision is that Leipzig-Halle is already a first-rate hub for Antonov.
With the start of the offensive, the various cargo planes could no longer land directly in Ukraine. Poland has therefore made one of its airports available. This airport offers several key advantages for the continuation of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The security of this airport has also been greatly increased in the face of various threats from Russia.
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