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“two Su-34 fighter-bombers and one Su-35 fighter.”

Seems, like they don’t have the old Su-24s and Su-25s available for missions in Ukraine like they used to, and have to dig deeper into their more modern jets to keep up their OpTempo. Unless it is because they need those more modern jets to deliver the glide bombs that they now rely on.

I know that I have asked about that before, but the shift in Russian losses from Su-24 and Su-25, toward Su-34 and Su-35, seems quite pronounced.

A question much asked is what is the toll the operational tempo is taking on airframes, barrels and equipment in general?

Do they have the maintenance and spare parts capability to keep this tempo up?

High speed tape only goes so far and worn out engines can’t be fixed that easily.

Barrels wear out, and condition of stored barrels is unknown, but it is safe to say that the best stuff has already been pulled. What kind of new production they have will greatly affect how hard they can continue to push.

As to avdiivka, the town is destroyed, the strategic value was tying down soviet troops, will be interesting to see how the shortened lines will effect both sides

It will be played as a “great victory” for putin(oh how the Wehrmacht would have loved for such”great” Soviet” victories, one small town after months of effort and large loses.
What the Soviet’s of today lack is the reserves of men and equipment to make massive gains ie1944, so IMO incremental gains at huge costs will continue.

Some well timed ammunition and equipment ie f-16s, artillery ammo, atacms, glsdbs…. will certainly help the Ukrainians

We will see

Scorecard.

According to Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleschuk three Russian air planes were shot down, two Su-34 and one Su-35 at the eastern direction.

https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1758811510585934130

BeauBo: "Unless it is because they need those more modern jets to deliver the glide bombs that they now rely on."

marcus: "Another Patriot trap?"

I believe you both are correct.

The Su-34 & Su-35 can launch the glide bombs much farther (higher & faster) from the target.

UKR would have to forward deploy a Patriot launcher to set the trap.

IMHO, the trap should have been set long ago.