By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On July 5th, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, in coordination with other defense forces, conducted an attack on the Borisoglebsk air base in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast. The base houses Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM aircraft. The General Staff reported that the strike hit a stockpile of guided aerial bombs and a military training aircraft, with other aircraft likely damaged as well. Further information regarding the attack’s consequences is still being confirmed.
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Ukrainian Special Forces strike Borisoglebsk air base, home to Russian fighter jets – that’s the headline. It really hammers home the nature of this conflict, doesn’t it? While reports don’t provide specifics of the attack, the mere fact that Ukrainian forces are able to reach deep inside Russia, striking at strategically important targets like a military airbase, is significant. It underscores a growing capability, a determination to take the fight to the aggressor, and a clear message of defiance. This sort of action puts pressure on Russia, and it seems to be a tactic designed to weaken their ability to conduct operations, targeting valuable assets like fighter jets.
The question of just how many jets Russia has left is a crucial one. While Russia may still have a considerable amount of military equipment, the continuous losses, coupled with the challenges of maintaining and supplying these assets, paint a very different picture from the one the Kremlin probably wants to portray. The sheer scope of the losses makes you wonder how much of their hardware is actually operational at any given time. It’s not just about having the equipment; it’s about the ability to use it effectively, and, crucially, the skill to keep it in working order. Recent reports suggest the age of equipment deployed speaks volumes.
Putin’s objectives, at this point, seem less clear than ever. It’s been years, and the initial goals of a swift victory appear to have been abandoned. The war has devolved into a grinding stalemate, a costly and brutal affair that is now threatening the fabric of Russia’s own economy. Some speculate Putin’s primary focus is to maintain power at any cost. For a dictator, losing a war can be catastrophic, and it’s understandable that he would be desperate to avoid such a fate. His actions, some would say, have trapped him, forcing him to continue a war that’s bleeding his country dry.
The economic impact is an undeniable factor. Russia’s economy is now largely geared toward wartime production. The old model of energy exports, once a huge source of revenue, has been deeply impacted. All the revenue they earned, which could have been invested in domestic programs, is now spent fighting a war that is not going well. If he stops now, the economy will likely collapse, potentially ending his regime. If he wins, the economy may still collapse as he tries to control the areas. His options are limited and all are incredibly damaging.
If you look at it strategically, the goal might be to control strategic points like the Dnipro River or Odessa, cutting off Ukraine from the sea. The land corridor to Moldova is another possible ambition. Whatever the grand strategy, the reality on the ground is a war of attrition. But Ukraine is fighting for its very existence, and that changes the rules of the game. It’s hard to wear down an opponent fighting for its survival. You see this in the actions of the Ukrainian forces: striking at strategic targets, disrupting supply lines, and denying Russia the easy win they anticipated.
The ongoing war highlights the stark contrast between the two sides. One side, Russia, is accused of aggression, killing, kidnapping, and destruction, while trying to justify it with its own narrative. The other, Ukraine, fights for its survival with courage and dignity. It’s a struggle that the world is watching, a David versus Goliath story where David is fighting for its life and not for conquest. The actions of Ukrainian Special Forces, the deep strikes, are part of this narrative of fighting back, and taking the fight to the enemy.