Destroyed Il-76s near Pskov: significance beyond destroyed aircraft

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.

• 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.