British intelligence: Russia creates elite aviation group 

The British Ministry of Defense writes about this on Twitter.

According to British intelligence, Russia is creating a new elite strike aviation group under the code name "Storm" to participate in the war against Ukraine. The unit is likely to consist of at least one squadron of Su-24 and Su-34 fighter-bombers, as well as a squadron of attack helicopters.

According to analysts, the combination of these types of aircraft indicates that the group will play a major role in ground attack missions. And the reports of the Russian mass media indicate that the Russian Ministry of Defense aims to attract highly qualified and motivated pilots, including those who have retired, and offers them large pay incentives.

"The creation of the group highlights how Russia assesses its regular air force squadrons have severely underperformed in their core function of conducting airstrikes on Ukrainian lines," the report concluded.

• On February 16, British intelligence reported that the Russians had abandoned the massive use of aviation because of the high risk of its destruction.