Russian army redeploys aviation to Bakhmut sector, Ukrainian forces lack air defenses

This was stated by Dmytro Kozhubenko, officer of the planning section of the Rubizh Brigade, Major of the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU), on the Espreso TV channel.

"Aviation bombs are being dropped constantly. Russians are shelling not only residential areas, as usual. The occupiers are using aerial bombs to attack our positions in the forest strips and fields. They use them to hit anything they want. After Avdiivka, they realized that destroying our positions is a very effective way. After that, their assault infantry doesn't need to storm with a fight. They can simply enter the positions, clear them out, and finish off those who remain. A high-explosive aerial bomb leaves no chance for anyone when it gets to the positions," said the NGU major.

The problem is that man-portable air defense systems cannot easily destroy military aircraft, he said.

"They have high speed, and they shoot off heat traps. Indeed, the enemy is behaving very boldly in terms of aviation. They allow themselves to fly into the depths of our defense, taking advantage of the fact that we do not have enough air defense forces and our aviation to counter them," added Kozhubenko.

According to him, until the Western partners deliver what they promise, including air defense and aviation, it will be difficult to withstand the Russian army.

"We cannot counter Russian aviation with small arms. We can only try to shoot down their aircraft with our existing portable air defense systems. But again, this is a rather difficult task. If we can still hit a helicopter, which is not so fast, then army aircraft is a problem. Helicopters are not used much now and operate from distances that are unattainable for us. The Russians are well aware that they are a more vulnerable target," added Kozhubenko.

• Defence Express military expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi noted that the Russian forces consider the operation in the Bakhmut sector to be a springboard for a summer offensive.