> Total Russian losses of multirole/fighter/attack aircraft are estimated at only 42[1] compared to a possible in-service count of approximately 1228[2], for a

> Total Russian losses of multirole/fighter/attack aircraft are estimated at only 42[1] compared to a possible in-service count of approximately 1228[2], for a 3% loss so far. Comparing losses at a forward operating base to the total number of aircraft in inventory is not very useful. For any military the total number of aircraft in inventory isn't the total force available at any given time. Out of the total inventory there's different levels of readiness. Losing a bunch of forward deployed operational aircraft is a huge blow to Russia's air power in the region. To replace them they need to strip aircraft from other units at operational readiness decreasing every unit's total air power. It's not Starcraft where a unit can fly from factory to the front lines. Additionally losing so many aircraft at a base deep in Russian claimed territory changes the power balance in the region. They can now fly fewer sorties and have a lower density of coverage.