Russian troops are increasing the use of air power in Ukraine, but are unlikely to use significant numbers of them for combat operations over Kiev-controlled territory, the Institute for the Study of War says today.

The day before, the Financial Times, referring to the general intelligence data of NATO countries, reported that Russia was accumulating planes and helicopters near the Russian-Ukrainian border, and suggested that Russian fighters could support an offensive on the ground..

Subsequently, the opposition Russian publication Important Stories, citing an internal source in the Russian Defense Ministry, reported that the Russian military was changing tactics and pledged to use a large number of air forces in Ukraine..

At the same time, a senior NATO official said that 80 percent of Russia's air force was still idle and that Russian forces were trying to disable Ukrainian air defenses in preparation for a major strike campaign..

The British Ministry of Defense has a different opinion on air attacks.

The United Kingdom Department of Defense (MoD) reported on 16 February that Russian sorties had risen over the past week to levels last seen in the summer of 2022, but noted that Russian forces had not increased their air presence in Ukraine and assessed that Russian. Important Stories notes that Russian forces are unlikely to have properly trained enough personnel to fully man their aircraft..

Russian forces are likely to suffer unnecessary aircraft losses if they use the aircraft for extended combat operations such as strategic bombing or close air support, especially if Western countries provide Ukraine with adequate air defense capabilities..