UK intelligence comments on Russian Il-22M aircraft loss, shot down by Wagner Group

UK Defence Intelligence has suggested that the destruction of several aircraft during the Wagner PMC rebellion has affected the combat spirit of Russia's Aerospace Force, and noted the long-term negative consequences for Russian combat air operations because of the Il-22M loss.

UK Defence Intelligence recalled that on 24 June, during the rebellion, Wagner Group fighters shot down several Russian military helicopters and an Il-22M airborne command post aircraft, European Pravda reports, citing UK Defence Intelligence review on 29 June.

"The Il-22M is part of a relatively small fleet of up to 12 aircraft, heavily utilised for both airborne command and control, and radio relay tasks. These special mission aircraft have played a key role in orchestrating Russian forces in their war against Ukraine. As high value assets they have operated within the safety of Russian airspace, far beyond the range of Ukrainian air defence systems," UK intelligence noted.

The analysts suggested that the loss of this aircraft will have a negative impact on the further actions of the Russian forces in the air and on land.

"In the short term the psychological shock of losing a large number of aircrew in this manner will almost certainly damage morale within the Russian Aerospace Force. In the longer term, there is a possibility that current tasking levels may have to be reduced to safely manage the remaining fleet. This will likely undermine Russia's ability to command and coordinate its forces, particularly during periods of high tempo operations," the review said.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 29 June 2023.

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On28 June, UK Defence Intelligence reported that recent strikes on the bridges near Chonhar at the entrance to Crimea have significantly complicated logistics for Russian troops.