War Is Boring

Russian warplanes and armed helicopters have played a major role in the ongoing fighting between Russia and Georgia. On Friday Georgian troops entered the pro-Russian province of South Ossetia in a bid to put down a simmering rebellion; Russian “peacekeepers” in the province fought back, and reinforcements from Russia, including tanks, soon joined them. As many as 1,500 people have died under intense air and artillery bombardment.

News reports have shown Russian Mi-24 attack helicopters and Su-25 close-air-support planes (pictured) attacking targets in the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali – which Russia reportedly now controls – but the air attacks have not been limited to the major battlefields. Warplanes reportedly have bombed both the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and Georgian oil facilities on the Black Sea. Russia has denied the reports.

Russia’s air force, once one of the largest and most powerful in the world, suffered hugely from a lack of funding and training in the 1990s, but has since enjoyed a minor recovery on the back of Russia’s booming energy economy. The Russian air force has begun accepting new tactical aircraft for the first time in years, and strategic bombers have resumed Cold War-style long-range patrols over international waters. The air bombardment of Georgia proves that the Russian air force is still capable of mounting meaningful attacks.

Georgia claims to have shot down as many as 10 Russian planes, but Russia admits to losing just two. With the exception of infantry gear provided by the U.S., Georgia’s military equipment, presumably including air defenses, is mostly of Russian manufacture. The Georgian air force apparently included several dozen Su-25 attack planes identical to those used by Russia, plus aerial drones and many U.S.-made helicopters. Georgia said Russian attacks had destroyed some of its military aircraft. Previously, Russia had shot down several Georgian drones near the two countries’ border, sparking outrage in Tbilisi.

In light of Russia’s overwhelming superiority in warplanes, Moscow will soon control the airspace over Georgia, if it doesn’t already. Russian air superiority will make it difficult for Georgia to move troops and supplies.

(Photo: via CNN)

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