As the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine enter its 166th day, any attempt of the war coming to an imminent is still black clouded as move between Moscow and Kyiv-backed western countries remain skeptical.
While the war continues to linger, the actual veracity of the military might of Russia has been put into question over their inability to take over Ukraine in the smallest time, causing the war to keep on going.
While Russia boasts of superior military firearms both on Land, Sea, and Air over Ukraine, stiff resistance continues to be put in place by the Ukrainians due to military intervention from western countries to them.
President Zelenskyy since the beginning of the war had called on the Western powers to initiate a “No Fly Zone” on the sky of Ukraine, which till now had not been put in place due to Russia’s threat of imminent attack on any foreign countries intervention.
While control of the sky remains a paramount aspect of modern warfare, it’s axiomatically believed that he who controls the sky wins the war easily. Evidence which has been proved by Russia’s invasion of Syria, and America’s invasion of Afghanistan has been visible evidence of superior military aircraft aided quick victory in war.
While both countries have been gridlocked in the conflict, the control of the airspace over Ukraine continues to be debated. According to a report from a senior Pentagon official, he said: “The Russians do not have air superiority over the entire country but there are areas where they have more control than others.”
The inability to have total control of the airspace is still being contested owing duly to the confidence and resolve of Ukrainian pilots and fighter jets.
Given Russia’s overwhelming air power, they have established to some extent effective dominance over the skies of Ukraine can be rooted in Moscow’s electronic warfare capabilities, with the use of their S-400, SA-21 surface-to-air-missile, Russian MiG-31BM fighter jets, Su-34, Su-35, Su-25s, Su-30, and the Su-27.
While on the Ukrainian side, one name has been relatively mentioned frequently which is the US-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which have been used to great effect against the Russian forces. While other weapons used by Ukraine include MiG-29s, Su-24s, Su-27s, Su-25 jet aircraft, and others.
Reports have shown that over 100 fighter jets have been lost by both sides in the war, but despite being on their land, the superior military power of the Russians continues to gain momentum as they are at the top of victory after taking control of some major parts of Kyiv, including the Donbas region, Luhansk region and other regions of Ukraine.