In a concerning escalation of events, Russian drones have once again penetrated Ukrainian airspace, carrying out devastating strikes on Ukrainian air bases for the third consecutive day. The Ukrainian air force's air-defense crisis has deepened, as it struggles to counter these relentless aerial attacks.

The latest incident occurred at Dolgintsevo air base near Kryvyi Rih, located just 45 miles from the front line in southern Ukraine. As many as three Iskander missiles were launched after a Russian drone conducted surveillance over the base. Captured footage from the drone's video feed confirms the destruction of two airframes, including a non-flying decoy Sukhoi Su-25 attack jet and an operational Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter.

This devastating blow adds to the already significant losses the Ukrainian military has endured since the fall. Previous Russian raids on Ukrainian airfields have resulted in the destruction of two Su-27s, three MiG-29s, an Su-25, and potentially a Mi-24 helicopter. With limited operational warplanes and gunships, these losses highlight the urgency for the Ukrainian Air Force to address their pressing air defense vulnerabilities.

Efforts to replenish Ukraine's aircraft fleet have been underway, with support coming from European allies. Ukraine is expecting to receive 85 Lockheed Martin F-16s and a dozen Dassault Mirage 2000s. However, the challenge persists as these new aircraft are also susceptible to Russian drone and missile strikes as long as they remain exposed in daylight.

The Ukrainian military has been overwhelmed with the task of defending cities, major troop concentrations, and front-line bases simultaneously. This has resulted in compromised security at airfields. The prioritization of protecting cities has left the crucial air bases less shielded, leaving them vulnerable to prolonged surveillance by Russian drones, as seen in the recent incident at Poltava air base.

To address these grave concerns, the United States has pledged its support with a $2.3 billion aid package. This assistance reportedly includes the provision of various air-defense systems, such as long-range Patriot missiles and medium-range NASAMS missiles. However, there is uncertainty over whether these defenses will be deployed primarily to safeguard cities instead of air bases, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to protect areas of investment.

As the Ukrainian air defense crisis escalates, urgent action is required to enhance the protection of critical air bases against Russian drone incursions. The deployment of advanced air defense systems, along with strategic planning and coordination, will play a crucial role in safeguarding Ukraine's air assets and maintaining military readiness in the face of relentless hostilities.