[FtrPilot]

FTA: The dramatic shoot-down, which reportedly took place as the Su-35 was chasing down Ukrainian attack planes, signaled an even more dramatic development on the ground.

If true then:

The Ukrainian operation is "Combined Forces" which require close coordination between Air Force and Ground forces.

The Ukrainian attack planes would be flying interdiction missions, not CAS. Why? Because Ukrainian artillery would be attacking Russian infantry and artillery. The Ukrainian attack planes would attack POL and Ammo storage, as well as any Russian vehicles moving to the area.

My question is: Where are the S-400 surface to air missiles? Why is Russia sending fighters?

[Brellium]

The S-300’s and S-400’s are in Russia proper, they don’t move them forward. Instead they’ve been depending on other short range mobile anti-air platforms, which the Ukrainians have been good at either capturing or disabling.

[Justa]

“Where are the S-400 surface to air missiles?”

Inside Russia.

I understand this was a low level engagement. Pretty sure the UKR pilots are smart enough to stay inside the ground clutter zone of the S-400s.