Ukraine sprung a trap and shot down three Russian SU-34 attack planes, according to the country’s air force.
Lieutenant Colonel Jörgen Elfving explains what the trap might have looked like – and what significance the success might have for the Ukrainian fighting morale.
The incident occurred last Friday in southern Ukraine.
– Now we can reveal a little secret; the hunt for them has been going on for a long time, air defense spokesman Oleksiy Danilov told Ukrainian radio, according to state news agency Ukrinform.
Jörgen Elfving says that there is information that suggests that Ukraine shot down the plane with the American Patriot air defense system. Elfving does not know how the trap has been set, but one can imagine that it is a matter of the Ukrainian defense having set up a target that is attractive for air strikes – some type of dummy target.
– In connection with this, anti-aircraft units and also radar units have been grouped together. Then you keep the air defense resources hidden until the attacker makes an effort against this target, he says.
“Nesa for Russia”
Regardless of how the incident unfolded, it has significance for Ukrainian morale at a time when Ukraine’s way of advancing the counteroffensive is being criticized, according to Elfving.
For Russia, it does not look good.
– This is a nose. On previous occasions when aircraft have been lost, i.e. attack aircraft or helicopters, it has been a question of single aircraft or helicopters. Now there are three pieces that were taken down in one batter.
– It will likely spark debate about the capabilities of the Russian air defense.
Importance of F16 plane
At the same time, it is clear that Ukraine may soon receive its first promised F16 fighter jets. It remains to be seen how important they will be in combat, according to Elfving, who says that the effectiveness of F16 planes depends on a number of factors such as the training of the pilots and the maintenance of the plane.
– Theoretically, this (the F16 plan) has an impact, but ultimately it depends on how they can use the aircraft.
Elfving says that his opinion is that the Ukrainian pilots have undergone an intensive course – which, according to him, means that the probability is high that one does not master the system to one hundred percent and can use all the possibilities that the plane offers.