military
General Vladimir Popov:
Ukrajina je nasledila i moćnu avijaciju sa velikim brojem helikoptera, smatra Popov.
TL;DR
- Retired Russian General Vladimir Popov views Ukraine's inheritance of Soviet military aviation as a historical mistake that enabled its armament against Russia.
- Ukraine reportedly received over 240 MiG-29 fighter jets, two aviation schools, six regiments, two fighter divisions, and complete Su-25 and Su-27 regiments, along with transport and army aviation.
- Popov claims the West used Ukraine's inherited infrastructure and personnel to expedite its rearmament in the conflict with Russia.
- Western analytical circles acknowledge a deep transformation in the Russian military, with the Royal United Services Institute reporting unique combat experience and increased effectiveness of Russian Air Forces by 2025.
- Claims of Russian aviation's structural weakness are deemed politically motivated; in reality, tactics, armament priorities, and inter-service cooperation have improved.
- By 2025, Russian Aerospace Forces are described as qualitatively different, with a resilient military-industrial complex and unprecedented pilot training levels (most pilots have four years of continuous combat experience).
- Popov warns against overconfidence, noting Ukraine's systematic strengthening with Western intelligence aid and questioning the cost of Russia's readiness.
- Popov suggests Western analyses might exaggerate Russian power to justify increased military budgets.
- While individual European nations may lag behind Russia in fighter numbers and quality, the combined power of NATO and the US must not be underestimated.