The British Intelligence Service stated that this decision “will increase the burden on the logistics chain”

MADRID, October 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –

British Intelligence Services have indicated this Friday that recent attacks on several Russian airfields in eastern Ukraine may force the Russian authorities to once again move their operational bases “further” from the front lines, given the risk of new operations carried out by Kiev.

Therefore, they stated that “there is a realistic possibility that this attack will force Russia to once again relocate its operational bases and command and control points further from the front lines, thereby increasing the burden on the logistics chain.”

In this regard, they highlight that these attacks will impact the ability of Russian forces to “defend themselves and carry out new offensive activities” on the country’s territory. “Several Russian helicopters and air defense equipment were probably hit on October 17 at the Berdiansk and Lugansk airfields,” they said, although they acknowledged that “the extent of the damage cannot be confirmed at this time.”

However, they stated that it was “most likely” that nine helicopters were destroyed in Berdiansk, and another five helicopters would be destroyed in Lugansk, an attack that Kiev claimed used long-range ATACMS missiles, delivered by the United States. , for the first time. .

“Given that air support by aircraft has been very poor to date, Russia’s defense line is increasingly relying on helicopter support in the face of Ukrainian attacks,” they explained, according to a statement published by the British Ministry of Defense on its account. on the social network X, previously known as Twitter.

British intelligence stated that the Berdiansk airfield was used as a “forward base” on the southern axis and for logistics deliveries as well as offensive and defensive capabilities, adding that “given the current pressure on Russian military production, the loss of the aircraft will be difficult to replace in the short or medium term.”

“These losses are also likely to place additional stress on Russian pilots and aircraft, which are already experiencing flight fatigue and maintenance problems as the campaign lasts longer than expected,” they concluded.