The “continued degradation” of Ukraine’s air defence system is giving Russia an advantage in the conflict, experts have warned.

“Further degradation” could also allow the Russian air force security along the frontline and allow it to carry out “routine large scale aviation operations” on Ukrainian cities to “devastating effect”, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has warned.

“The continued degradation of Ukraine’s air defence umbrella provides one of the most immediate avenues through which Russian forces could generate non-linear operational impacts,” the US-based think tank said in its latest report.

“Ukrainian and Western officials have increasingly warned of a critical shortage of air defence missiles in the coming months, and the further degradation of Ukraine’s air defence umbrella would not only limit Ukraine’s ability to protect critical elements of its war effort in the rear but would also likely afford Russian aviation prolonged secure operation along the frontline.

“This security would allow Russian forces to significantly increase glide bomb strikes at scale and possibly even allow Russian forces to conduct routine large-scale aviation operations against near rear Ukrainian logistics and cities to devastating effect.

“Expanded aviation operations could allow Russian forces to heavily degrade Ukrainian combat capabilities and isolate sectors of the battlefield in support of efforts to make operationally significant gains.”

The ISW says further US security assistance – which has been held up amid political debate in Washington – could establish a wider and more stable Ukrainian air defence umbrella that would deny Russian forces these opportunities.