Russians are flying more bombing sorties than ever before. Russian air force launched more than 150 sorties involving Su-34s, Su-35s and Sukhoi Su-25 attack jets. That's 10 more daily sorties than the Russian air force flew during its previous most intensive aerial surge, concurrent with the Russian army's initial push toward Kyiv in the early weeks of Russia's two-year wider war on Ukraine.

Russian forces appear to be willing to risk continued aviation losses in pursuit of tactical gains in eastern Ukraine, likely along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line.

Russia has about 300 fighter jets. Russia can keep up its intensive air campaign combined with a huge army offensive for close to a year.