According to our sources in the General Staff, the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine increased by 70% this year. The main reason is the large-scale use of aerial bombs by the enemy. In 2023, no serious defense lines were built, which became one of the key problems for the Ukrainian army, especially in the context of the use of cluster munitions by the Russian army.
The Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Ivan Gavrylyuk, reported that since the beginning of 2024, the Russian aviation has dropped more than 3,500 aerial bombs on the positions of Ukrainian defenders, which is 16 times more than in 2023.
"Russian combat aviation dominates the sky. Enemy aircraft are actively used over our positions on the front lines and forward areas, dropping guided aerial bombs. Since the beginning of this year (within 77 days), enemy planes have dropped more than 3,500 aerial bombs on our positions, which is 16 times more than in 2023," he said.
The Deputy Minister of Defense also indicated that since the last meeting in the Ramstein format (February 14), the Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed 12 Russian fighter-bombers and one A-50a, but despite these losses, the advantage remains on the side of Russia.
According to Havrylyuk, measures involving Western F-16 aircraft are necessary to break the dominance of Russian forces in the air, which will increase the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the ground.
"However, we have not yet received the F-16, and ammunition stocks of some types are falling to a critical level. These and other factors complicate the fulfillment of tasks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in repelling the aggressor," he added.
Also, according to Gavrylyuk, against the backdrop of air dominance since the beginning of 2024, the advantage in artillery fire along the front line is 7:1 in favor of Russian troops.
In February, the President of Ukraine stated that Ukraine was given only 30% of the million shells promised by the European Union.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that Ukraine's attempt to seize the initiative on the battlefield in Russia has a sound basis, but delays in Western military aid are likely to delay Kiev's efforts.
