Russia has ‘full air superiority’ over Ukraine: Western intel official
Russia has “eradicated” Ukraine’s air defences and is trying to mass overwhelming forces across the capital Kyiv, a senior Western intelligence officer mentioned Thursday.
He spoke as Russian land forces sought to push deeper into the neighbouring nation after launching an invasion with a barrage of pre-dawn air strikes on key army amenities.
“The Ukrainians wouldn’t have ample air defence to cope with this sort of air marketing campaign. These air defences at the moment are successfully eradicated. They not have an air drive to fly and defend themselves,” the official mentioned on situation of anonymity.
“Basically the Russians now have full air superiority over Ukraine.”
The official mentioned Ukrainian forces had been placing up stiff resistance within the face of a multi-pronged assault from the Russian army – particularly across the metropolis of Kharkiv and alongside the japanese frontline.
However the Kremlin’s forces had managed to seize key airfields round Kyiv and will look to funnel troops by way of these footholds that may ultimately hyperlink up with troops heading south from Belarus.
“Lots will rely upon the resistance that the Ukrainians can put up, however I am assured that the Russians will within the coming hours search to use an awesome drive on the capital,” the official mentioned.
He mentioned intelligence steered Russia would look to take away the federal government of President Volodymyr Zelensky “both by way of ‘decapitation’ or by way of different strain”.
There are additionally indications the Kremlin intends to hold out a “liquidation” marketing campaign towards political opponents left within the metropolis.
“We needs to be very involved in regards to the potential for very giant violence in that metropolis because the Russians take management.”
-AFP
