NATO reconnaissance aircraft! Ukrainian army successfully bypasses air defense in Crimea

In recent days, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFK) have destroyed a number of air defense assets in Crimea, as well as a transport and landing craft. During and after the attacks, reconnaissance aircraft from NATO countries were in the skies over the Black Sea. "Radio Liberty" indicates that former Ukrainian intelligence officers believe that the allies are helping the AFK to obtain accurate data on Russian positions.

On February 12, a Boeing E–3A Sentry long-range radar detection and control (LRDC) aircraft was on duty over the coast of Romania. The aircraft's area of operation covers Crimea, part of the Sea of Azov and the territory up to Melitopol. The aircraft performed surveillance, target tracking and combat control, remaining in the air for up to 18 hours with refueling.

On February 13, a Boeing P–8A Poseidon maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft with a radio-electronic support complex capable of collecting data on ships, submarines, coastal fortifications and bases operated over the Black Sea. On February 14-15, Bombardier ARTEMIS II electronic reconnaissance aircraft, capable of intercepting signals from mobile phones to radar stations at a distance of up to 600 km, operated over the region.

A 3rd rank captain of the reserve, who previously served in the Ukrainian military intelligence, explained that the intelligence data allows tracking the activity of Russian radar stations, communication means and air defense systems, as well as determining the exact location of mobile objects.

Combining this information with their own technical and operational intelligence, the Ukrainian military can plan strikes on objects in Crimea and the sea area with high accuracy.

"Knowledge of the exact location of air defense and radar stations allows for relatively "safe" flight trajectories of drones and missiles to targets. "The more accurate the intelligence, the more effective the attacks," the reserve officer notes.