Russian Military Aircraft Breach Finnish Airspace

 On June 10, the Finnish Ministry of Defense reported a suspected incursion into Finnish airspace by a Russian military aircraft near Loviisa, a town less than 100 km from Helsinki. This day saw significant Russian air activity, including flights by several Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, escorted by Su-30SM, Su-27, and Su-33 fighters over the Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Baltic Sea.

Additionally, German Eurofighter EF-2000 jets stationed in NATO's Latvia were dispatched to intercept two Su-27 fighters and an Il-20 Coot electronic reconnaissance aircraft operating near the Baltic states without prior flight plans or active transponders.

According to the Finnish Ministry of Defense, the Russian aircraft reportedly penetrated 2.5 km (1.55 miles) into Finnish territory before turning back, with the incursion lasting around two minutes. Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen emphasized the seriousness of any suspected territorial violation, noting that preliminary investigations are conducted in such cases.

Four days later, the investigation revealed the situation was more serious than initially thought. The Finnish Border Guard Agency, under the Ministry's jurisdiction, discovered that at least three additional aircraft were involved in the breach, totaling four aircraft: two bombers and two fighters. The investigation continues, and final results will be shared upon completion.

Interestingly, the Finnish Air Force, despite deploying four F/A-18 Hornets in Romania under NATO, did not initially respond to this incident. This was not addressed in the Ministry of Defense's first press release. However, back in August 2022, one of their fighter jets intercepted two MiG-31s that briefly entered Finnish airspace, coinciding with Russia's nuclear exercises with Belarus.

Historical Context:

Finland, once part of the Kingdom of Sweden for over 600 years, was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1809, gaining a special autonomous status as a grand duchy. After the Russian Empire's collapse in 1917, Finland declared independence. The Winter War of 1940 tested Finland's independence, with the Soviet Union annexing parts of the country despite Finland's strong defense. This left lasting concerns about potential future conflicts with Russia.

During the Cold War, Finland maintained its independence but could not strongly oppose the Soviet Union, a period known as "Finlandization." After the Soviet Union's fall, Finland joined the European Union and NATO, achieving full political freedom.

Finland has since prepared for potential conflict with Russia, evident in its defense strategy, which includes remote highways set up for fighter jets. This allows for quick mobilization of its air force, assuming regular air bases might be initial targets in a conflict. Finland's "total defense" strategy, according to the Financial Times, showcases a robust Finnish Air Force, currently operating F/A-18 fighter jets soon to be upgraded to advanced F-35 Lightning IIs.

Russia Re-Deploys Tu-22M3 Bomber for Strikes on Ukraine: Key Attack After April Incident

 

The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) redeployed a Tu-22M3 bomber for the first time on the night of June 13-14 following an unprecedented incident in April. According to Ukrainian media, Russian forces launched an aerial strike on Ukraine, primarily targeting the western regions with ballistic missiles, drones, and Kh-101/Kh-55 missiles fired from at least five strategic bombers.

Unverified reports claimed that Russia deployed at least four Tu-22M3 bombers from the Dyagilevo airfield near Ryazan, marking their first approach within the range of Ukrainian air defense since an April shootdown. 

In April, Ukrainian forces successfully downed a Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bomber, the first such loss for the Russian bomber fleet. This incident followed a Russian attack on Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk confirmed the destruction of the Tu-22M3, which carries Kh-22 cruise missiles used against Ukrainian cities. The Russian aircraft crashed in the Krasnogvardeysky District of Stavropol Krai, with videos of the crash circulating on social media. Russia attributed the crash to a technical error, while Ukraine claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft and stated that Russia had subsequently withdrawn the bombers.

The recent attack primarily focused on Starokostyantyniv in the Khmelnytsky area, home to a significant Ukrainian air base. This base, previously targeted by Russia, reportedly houses Ukraine’s Storm Shadow missile carriers, the Su-24MR fighter jets. Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) spokesperson Illya Yevlash declined to comment on the damage, emphasizing that revealing such information could aid the enemy. He noted a new Russian strategy combining airstrikes with regrouping and altering missile and drone movements.

Yevlash described this tactic as involving combined strikes using UAVs from various directions along with different types of missiles, adjusting warhead sizes based on the mission. For example, cruise missiles recently targeted western Ukraine, reaching Kolomyia before turning back towards Starokostiantyniv, demonstrating maneuvers with altitude changes. Each attack follows a unique pattern.

In response to continued Russian attacks, President Vladimir Putin offered a ceasefire on June 14 if Ukraine agreed to withdraw its forces from the four annexed regions and abandon its NATO aspirations. Putin stated that Moscow would "immediately" declare a ceasefire and commence negotiations if Kyiv complied. This proposal follows the G7 meeting in Italy and precedes a summit in Switzerland (excluding Russia) to discuss peace in Ukraine. Despite the annexation of four Ukrainian regions in the fall of 2022, Kyiv’s forces have maintained their positions.

Putin emphasized that his proposal aimed at a “final resolution” of the conflict rather than a temporary freeze, indicating the Kremlin’s readiness for immediate negotiations. However, Kyiv’s ongoing demand for the withdrawal of Russian forces and NATO membership remains unchanged, receiving no immediate response to Russia’s suggestion.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, initially targeting Kyiv but later focusing on southern and eastern regions after failing to capture the capital.

Ukraine Strikes Deep Inside Russia: Damages Advanced Su-57 Fighter Jet

Ukraine has successfully targeted and damaged a highly prized Russian Su-57 fighter jet stationed deep within Russian territory, according to a Sunday report from Ukraine's main intelligence directorate (GUR).

The attack struck the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region, about 360 miles from the front lines. Satellite imagery provided by Ukrainian military intelligence shows the Su-57 intact on June 7 and damaged on June 8.

The Su-57 is described by Ukrainian intelligence as Russia's "most modern fighter," capable of deploying Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles. A pro-Kremlin Telegram channel, Fighterbomber, which often confirms Russian military losses, reported shrapnel damage to the aircraft, with its reparability still undetermined.

Unlike Russia's more commonly deployed Su-25 and Su-35 aircraft, the fifth-generation Su-57 has seen limited use since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. This strike marks the first instance of a Su-57 being damaged in combat, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.

Military correspondent David Axe noted in Forbes that if the damage is confirmed, this would be only the second stealth aircraft lost in combat since the US Air Force first deployed the Lockheed Martin F-117. The first instance was in 1999 when a Serbian air defense battery shot down an F-117 during the Kosovo war.

Ukraine has recently increased the range of its strikes into Russian territory. On Saturday, a video surfaced showing a Ukrainian long-range attack drone targeting Mozdok air base in Russia's North Ossetia region, about 450 miles from the front line. Although it is unclear if the drone caused any military damage, the base houses significant assets, including Tu-22M bombers, Su-24M/MR strike aircraft, and military helicopters.

Retired Australian army general Mick Ryan wrote earlier this year that such deep strikes force Russia to reassess and redeploy its air defense resources. David Axe added that Ukraine's escalating drone campaign has stretched Russia's air defenses thin, unable to protect all critical assets.

The last major Ukrainian attack on Russian warplanes was on May 17, when Ukraine hit Balbek Airfield in occupied Crimea, damaging a Su-27 and two MiG-31s.

Russia Added 1500 MBTs To Fight NATO-Backed Ukraine; Tu-160M, IFVs, Subs Also Delivered – Shoigu, Eurasian Times reports

 Amid the Ukraine conflict, Russia has strengthened its military capabilities, delivering 1,530 new and upgraded tanks to the Ground Forces in 2023, partially compensating for the loss of 2,200 tanks since the invasion. The T-90M Proryv main battle tanks, known for survivability, were supplied to offset these losses. In contrast, Ukraine claims to have destroyed over 5,000 Russian tanks during the invasion.

Russia also reinforced its naval forces, adding the nuclear submarine Imperator Aleksandr III and a Borei A-class vessel equipped with Bulava missiles. The Russian Navy received four modern submarines and eight surface ships in the past year.

Aerial capabilities were enhanced with 237 aircraft and helicopters, 86 anti-aircraft weaponry units, and 67 radar sites for the Aerospace Forces. Notably, four Tu-160M strategic bombers were almost fully delivered to the strategic nuclear forces, coinciding with President Vladimir Putin's claim that 95% of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces are equipped with new weapons. The Tu-160M, actively used in the conflict, signifies heightened nuclear posturing. In response, NATO has strengthened its nuclear forces near Russia. These developments underscore escalating geopolitical tensions in the region.

Here is the link to the original article:

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/russia-added-1500-mbts-to-fight-nato-backed-ukraine/