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Destroyed Il-76s near Pskov: significance beyond destroyed aircraft
After a highly effective drone assault on strategic targets, including Pskov's Kresty airfield in Russia, around four Il-76 military transport aircraft were severely impacted – a number surpassing Russia's yearly production
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense Main Intelligence Directorate spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, confirmed this, while the exact tally of incapacitated Il-76s is still being determined. Earlier, Russia informally acknowledged the loss of two Il-76s and damage to four more, potentially including a Tu-22 long-range bomber.
These aircraft, particularly connected to the 334th Military Transport Aviation Regiment, play a pivotal role in facilitating rapid cargo transportation, including sensitive weaponry, due to Russia's reliance on air transit. With Russia's Air and Space Force (VKS) owning 110 Il-76s, this attack disabled 5.5% of their inventory in one strike.
The loss of Il-76s is recoverable for Russia as they're mass-produced at the Aviastar-SP aircraft plant. However, their production rate must be considered; Russia disclosed that it had reached an annual production of five Il-76MD-90As in early 2023. Consequently, this drone attack effectively nullified a year's worth of production.
For Russia, the necessity of producing new aircraft stems from an aging fleet of Il-76s from the Soviet era that's reaching the end of its operational life.
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On the night of August 29-30, Russian air defense systems were allegedly active in the temporarily occupied Sevastopoland Russia’s Moscow, Ryazan, Kaluga, Bryansk and Oryol regions.
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