UK intelligence assesses impact of attack on Belbek air base for Russian air defense in Crimea

The UK Defense Ministry reports.

It is noted that on the night of May 14, the Ukrainian military fired at Russian military facilities in the temporarily occupied Crimea. As a result, elements of the Russian S-400 Triumf missile battery, including the 92N6 radar and launchers, were damaged at the Belbek airfield.

In addition, the attack destroyed at least two Russian MiG-31 aircraft.

According to UK intelligence, the attack on Russian targets in Crimea marks the fourth instance in the past month where Russian air defenses in Crimea have suffered losses.

“The cumulative effect of these strikes has seen an overall degradation in the ability of Russia to defend the airspace around Crimea; while simultaneously demonstrating Ukraine’s ability to impact Russian Air Defence operations,” analysts emphasize.

According to their assessment, it is very likely that this will lead to Russia having to disperse its air assets to ensure the survivability of its air defense. Otherwise, Russia will risk losing more aircraft. At the same time, the Russians are now redeploying air defense assets from other locations.

“The reduction of A-50U MAINSTAY aircraft coverage, and dispersal from Crimean airfields, will likely increase the flight hours and sortie rates of fighter aircraft patrols to gap-fill the coverage, which will lead to increased maintenance issues for their fleets,” the UK Defense Ministry emphasizes.

• On the night of May 15, explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol. As a result, two MiG-31s, S-400s, and a warehouse with Russian fuel were destroyed.