Posted on 02/27/2024 2:55:45 PM PST by marcusmaximus
The Ukrainian air force claimed it has shot down 10 Russian warplanes in 10 days: nine of the Russian air force’s best Sukhoi Su-34 and Sukhoi Su-35 fighter-bombers and also a rare Beriev A-50 radar plane.
-snip-
The Ukrainian defense ministry announced this month’s ninth and tenth shoot-downs—both involving Su-34s—on Tuesday. “Oops, we did it again!” the ministry quipped. “And now it's 10 destroyed Russian planes in 10 days!”
How the Ukrainians are shooting down so many jets is unclear. It’s possible the Ukrainian air force has assigned some of its American-made Patriot missile launchers to mobile air-defense groups that move quickly in close proximity to the 600-mile front line of Russia’s two-year wider war on Ukraine, ambushing Russian jets with 90-mile-range PAC-2 missiles then swiftly relocating to avoid counterattack.
But the distance at which the Ukrainians shot down that A-50 on Friday—120 miles or so—hints that a longer-range missile system was involved. Perhaps a Cold War-vintage S-200 that the Ukrainian air force pulled out of long-term storage.
It also is apparent the Ukrainians have moved some of their two-dozen or so 25-mile-range NASAMS surface-to-air missile batteries closer to the front line.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Russian air defense seems pretty weak based on the ability of Ukraine to launch long distance slow drone attacks on strategic targets in Russia.
Have you ever looked at Google maps? High resolution satellite images are available to everyone.
Ukrainians have access to satellite images and on the ground operatives. Those aren't CIA guys from Virginia, they are GRU guys from Crimea or elsewhere.
That's a serious delusion to have. Russia can't even defeat Ukraine, a nation much smaller than Russia. Russia has no chance against the West. They probably would have trouble against the Texas National Guard.
To put it in perspective, the entire Russian air forces have about the same number of combat planes as the US Marines.
Well, the way things are going, we are probably going to find out.
Once the F16s crap out, they are going to have to decide if they are going to put up F35s into the mix.
The lesson from every peer war is all sides lose lots of aircraft.
The ones who can build new ones, wins.
There is also an economic inbalance between the cost of a missile (couple million) vs a $250 million F35.
Russian air defense seems pretty weak based on the ability of Ukraine to launch long distance slow drone attacks on strategic targets in Russia.
Likewise for the Houthi’s in the Red Sea. The cost ratio for offence / defence is really unfavorable.
[That is a big number.
“F-4 Phantom II—445 total, 382 in combat”]
That is true. And we inflated our money and went off the gold standard in part to avoid raising taxes so obviously to pay for an increasingly unpopular war.
It’s pretty clear to me that we are micromanaging the Ukes anti aircraft efforts with in-theater “advisors/operators” and giving our best targeting data to boot. Someone at high levels feels it is worth the risk of a Russian nuclear response to degrade the Russians supply of planes and ships and fine tune how to defeat them.
Just my 2 cents but I think spot on.
No?
Russians Continue Their Relentless Attacks As Several Villages Came Under Threat Of Full Capture!
Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from two more villages near the eastern town of Advikka, which was captured by Russian troops earlier this month. Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy said troops withdrew from the villages of Severne and Stepove on Tuesday. This follows a retreat from the eastern village of Lastochkyne on Monday.
The Russian defence ministry too announced that its forces now “occupied more advantageous lines and positions” in the area, and had now targeted three other settlements nearby. The capture of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast is seen as Russia’s most significant win since it seized the war-devastated city of Bakhmut in May last year.
Tell Jane Fonda to apologize for taking NVA propaganda photos with Russian anti aircraft guns.
I have no pity for the Russian’s losses.
Their SAM missiles shot down many planes in Vietnam.
True...... We knew who was flying the fighters..... I personally locked on to a Mig-21 and as soon as I had a tone , he ejected..... The Russians would mix it up with us.... I flew F-4’s..... got 2 Mig-17’s and a 21.... most air to air took about 20- 30 sec.... I got my 21 after 12 mins,, he damn here got me twice but he made a fatal flaw
In case anyone is confused, the Russians can destroy the West in 30 minutes if it desires and there’s not a damned thing Europe, America, Canada, Australia can do to stop it from happening.
Keep kicking that cat.
Yes - over a ten year span. Our guys fought well in tough conditions and with ridiculous and always changing ROE. Despite all they faced, they got every morning and got going, day after day to the near total indifference or open hostility of our people back home.
To Robe: very happy you made it back - and thank you for your very effective part of our war.
In early 1967, we had a navy F8 overfly us on fire. He punched out right before it blew up and he landed about 400 meters from us and we got him before the VC did. He was very happy to see us and told us stories all night long as we waited to bring him to the rear and then Danang.
Mutually Assured Destruction is actually a thing. They would be committing suicide.
Thank you.
Ukraine always touts some great feat in the midst of terrible news on the frontlines. Currently, Ukraine is suffering 1000 kia a day for over 30 days. Artillery and Fab 500-1500s have destroyed all the hasty fallback positions.
Losing 10 planes may be a bigger deal than 3 Abrams destroyed.
These type headlines always signal Russia is having great successes.
[In early 1967, we had a navy F8 overfly us on fire. He punched out right before it blew up and he landed about 400 meters from us and we got him before the VC did. He was very happy to see us and told us stories all night long as we waited to bring him to the rear and then Danang.]
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