#Ukraine: So far, we have only seen AGM-88 HARM in use with Ukrainian MiG-29 jets.
However, evidence has now emerged showing the powerful Su-27S (Notably in an older colour scheme) apparently carrying two HARM missiles; another boost to UkAF SEAD capability. pic.twitter.com/hEmwRO75DG
A Ukrainian military intelligence source says that the success of the offensive was contingent on American-supplied HARM anti-radiation missiles, which home in on the emissions of Russian air-defence radar and other equipment. It also relied on surface-to-air systems that threatened Russian aircraft: Ukrainian sources single out Germany’s Gepard, a set of anti-aircraft guns on tracks. This threat left Russia reluctant to deploy air power; when it did, it suffered losses. Unconfirmed reports suggest that at least one Russian fighter jet and two helicopters were downed during Ukraine’s operation. Russian aircraft have reportedly struggled to distinguish between Russian and Ukrainian units in the pell-mell of fighting, with frontlines shifting rapidly.
“They are blind, and we see everything,” claims the Ukrainian official. Whether the counter-offensive ultimately succeeds will now be down to speed, he argues. If Ukraine can secure its new positions by the Oskil river before Russian reinforcements arrive, Izyum to the south would be in its sights. There have been reports that the Ukrainian army has also conducted attacks south of Izyum, in a possible attempt to envelop the city. Capturing it, or threatening Russian operations there, would drive a hole through Russian military logistics in the Luhansk region; they could take several weeks to rebuild. It would also enable Ukraine to reclaim towns that Russia captured after agonisingly long and bloody battles over the summer.