German magazine Focus reports: Russia has now been able to intercept nearly all Ukrainian "Firebird" cruise missiles.
Over the past few weeks, out of 11 FP-5 missiles launched, only one or two have hit their targets. These struck the "Avitek" rocket factory in Kirov Oblast on July 24–25.
The ability to shoot down "Firebird" missiles is thanks to the A-50U early-warning aircraft, which can calculate the most probable flight paths of incoming missiles:
"According to France's Le Independant, Ukrainian attacks on key Russian industrial facilities have thus come to a standstill. Since July, the use of the A-50U has changed the situation. The aircraft patrols at high altitude over Russian territory, detecting targets earlier than ground-based radars."
The report also notes that Moscow currently has limited resources for tracking Ukrainian missiles: Ukraine has shot down two A-50U aircraft and damaged at least two others. As a result, no more than five of these aircraft are currently available for deployment. Moscow is currently unable to produce replacement models—the sole manufacturer is constrained, and even the prototype of its successor has been destroyed.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873781920012292/
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