Russian aviation continues to actively use bombers in Ukraine, despite the fact that Ukraine has shot down several dozen Russian aircraft over the past two weeks. The Institute for the Study of War(ISW) believes that Russia is willing to sacrifice aircraft in exchange for maintaining a high rate of offensive, Kommersant Ukrainian reports 
The Institute reports that Russian Su-34s continue to fly more than 100 sorties at the front to conduct precision bombing strikes on Ukrainian positions at a distance of up to 40 kilometres. Moreover, the Russians’ tactics are even changing to become even more aggressive in the air.
“…the Russian air force is maintaining a high rate of air missions in Ukraine and is likely willing to tolerate risks to aircraft. The Russian command may have decided that the positive effects of such air operations outweigh the costs associated with such missions,”
– the report says.
In particular, Russian troops made extensive use of air support during the capture of Avdiivka, so it is now very likely that they will want to repeat this tactic in other parts of the frontline.
Over the past few weeks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have downed 15 Russian aircraft.