Russia hides airfield losses with decoy aircraft - Sources
Illustrative photo: Russians try to conceal the losses of their bombers (Getty Images)
Russia is trying to conceal its losses following a Ukrainian drone strike on its strategic aviation. Decoy aircraft are being placed on airfields to replace those that were destroyed, according to RBC-Ukraine's sources in the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to the agency's interlocutors, after the Ukrainian operation Spiderweb, the enemy is trying to minimize its losses by various means.
Specifically, Russia is deploying decoy aircraft to airfields in place of burned-out warplanes so that damaged aircraft are not visible on satellite images.
These manipulations are also being documented by OSINT analysts. For example, satellite images from one airfield dated June 2 show a burned-out Tu-95 bomber, while images taken on June 4 show an intact Tu-95 in its place.
"They placed it in exactly the same position as the previously destroyed aircraft. But the scorched runway beneath it is still visible in the satellite image," OSINT analysts pointed out.
Attack on airfields
On Sunday, June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine attacked several Russian airfields where the enemy's strategic aviation was based.
As a result of this attack, 41 Russian aircraft were destroyed. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, half of them will never be repaired.
For more details on the SBU's operation Spiderweb, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
