The Russian Federation has moved its military air defense away from direct subordination under the Ground Forces, handing it over to the main command of the Aerospace Forces, known as the VKS. This development was reported by TASS citing sources close to the military department. A source described the change as already settled and effectively completed, though the agency does not have an official confirmation to corroborate the assertion. Previously, air defense activities were integrated into the Ground Forces as military air defense, with equipment designed to shield and support ground troops both in combat zones and within the broader air defense framework of the VKS.
Recent statements from Russia’s Defense Ministry and the Russian Aerospace Forces, referring to events in the ongoing special operation in Ukraine, indicate that the armed forces have conducted significant airpower losses. The ministry reported that Russian forces destroyed a substantial number of enemy aircraft and helicopters, with figures reaching at least 388 aircraft and 211 helicopters, in addition to more than 3,000 unmanned aerial vehicles. These figures reflect ongoing air superiority operations and the extensive use of air power within the broader campaign context. [Attribution: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation; official releases]
In a separate briefing, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service highlighted a broader trend since December 2021, noting that NATO member states have transferred more than 1,100 air defense systems, 440 tanks, and 1,510 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The briefing also suggested that much of this equipment has already sustained losses in the course of the conflict, underscoring the evolving balance of capability among the players involved. [Attribution: Russian Foreign Intelligence Service]