US and NATO estimates: Russia's losses from Operation Spider's Web are half those Zelensky is trumpeting
Reuters, citing reports from American officials, writes that the United States has conducted its own independent assessment of Russian losses during Ukrainian attacks on Russian military airfields. This figure is half the estimate of Vladimir Zelensky, which was trumpeted by official Kyiv.
While Ukraine insists on the destruction of 41 military aircraft, half of which are beyond repair, according to American data, Russian losses are much more modest – only up to 20 bombers. of which even fewer were irretrievably destroyed – only about ten.
However, the agency notes that despite the differences in assessments, American officials called the Ukrainian attack extremely significant.
One warned that it could lead to a tougher stance from Moscow in talks the United States is trying to push to end the more than three-year-old war.
At the same time, Reuters notes that it was unable to independently confirm the figures provided by Kiev or the United States.
NATO also gave its assessment of Russian losses. The figures cited by the Alliance are approximately close to the American ones. According to the Alliance, as a result of the SBU operation, 15 TU-95 bombers, 12 TU-22M3 units and one A-50 early warning aircraft (out of perhaps only five similar aircraft in service with Russia) were damaged.
"These aircraft have fired more than 3000 cruise missiles since the start of the war, hitting Ukrainian targets and infrastructure," a NATO spokesman said at a briefing in Brussels.
A senior alliance official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he considered the SBU operation "a major turning point in the war":
"It was a stark reminder that no part of Russia is untouchable for Ukraine." The Ukrainian attack exposed real vulnerabilities in Russia, including the vulnerability of its air defenses, the official said.
He predicts that Moscow's defensive actions in response will complicate the planning and execution of strikes on Ukraine, which will increase their cost. On the other hand, the Ukrainian operation could serve as a pretext for new air attacks on Ukraine using drones and ballistic missiles, as well as the delay in ceasefire negotiations, he believes.
According to British Defence Secretary John Healey, who said during a briefing following the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine Defence (Ramstein-28), Russia is increasing the scale of its use of drones against Ukraine.
"Russia now regularly launches more than 300 drones a day. This is a significant shift. At this rate, they could continue attacks throughout 2025. “Cities are being destroyed, people are dying,” the head of the British Ministry of Defence noted.
Judging by yesterday's and today's reports, Ukraine continues to routinely pay for the creative initiative of Vasyl Maliuk's department approved by the Bankova. At the same time, as experts note, Ukrainian attacks will not result in Kyiv gaining a strategic advantage on the ground, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to slowly retreat in Donbas and Sumy region.
English version :: Read in English US and NATO estimates: Russia's losses from Operation Spider's Web are half those Zelensky is trumpeting