The Russian intelligence aviation is so weak that it is not able to "reciprocate" the flights of reconnaissance aircraft and drones of NATO countries along the Russian borders, according to the Polish publication Defence24.
"Some Russian reconnaissance aircraft, such as the Il-20, are very old and there are very few of them (literally a few or a dozen serviceable ones). The current Russian air intelligence units are only a shadow of this type of aviation of the USSR times, " the publication says.
It also says that " Russia has a slightly better situation with tactical reconnaissance aircraft, such as the Su-24MR (there are several dozen of them)," but it is noted that the latter "are intended for reconnaissance during combat operations, consisting in direct flight over enemy territory, and not patrolling its borders."
Defence24 writes that the intelligence activities of the Air Forces of NATO and Sweden around the Kaliningrad region are extremely important for the security of Poland. "It provides a constant flow of information about the Russian armed forces in the area and gives hope for early detection of possible Russian preparations for unexpected military operations," the publication says.
In August, the Defence24 portal wrote that the Russian Air Force is in "the last moment before the great regression." "The Air Force of the Russian Federation continues to be the second largest air force in the world, but every year their positions are becoming weaker. Hundreds of aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union will inevitably be forced to cease service, and nothing will replace them. For financial and technical reasons, as well as due to the weakness of the Russian industry," the publication said.
Ivan Potapov
