“There is a realistic possibility that this uptick in losses is partially a result of the Russian Air Force accepting greater risk as it attempts to provide close air support to Russian ground forces under pressure from Ukrainian advances,” the Ministry said in its daily intelligence on Twitter.

The Ministry also claimed that “Russian pilots’ situational awareness is often poor; there is a realistic possibility that some aircraft have strayed over enemy territory and into denser air defense zones as the front lines have moved rapidly.”

“Russia’s continued lack of air superiority remains one of the most important factors underpinning the fragility of its operational design in Ukraine,” the Ministry underlined.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Monday that Russian military has lost about 54,650 soldiers since February 24 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (ILKHA)