Posted on 08/29/2023 5:49:51 PM PDT by marcusmaximus
Edited on 08/29/2023 5:52:00 PM PDT by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
I don’t think the Ukrainians are using American weapons in these attacks. The drones are home-made.
Is it possible that Russian air defenses aren't as advertised?
Drones launched against Saudi oil facilities weren't intercepted by American Patriot batteries. I think it was a big part of the Saudi's seeking an end to hostilities in Yemen, the war threatened to get way, way more expensive.
I am betting that the drones were smuggled into Russia and pre-programmed from a set launch point at a set time or with a signal.
Oh no, this could be series!
What in the name of Lyndon Johnson is trying to tell the Ukrainians they can't kill Russians in their air bases, they have to just suck up missile attacks launched from Russian airspace?
Whence comes this idea you can bomb and invade a country and they're not allowed to hit you back?
Russophiles on FreeRepublic seeing the Special Military Olympiad boomerang into Russia:
My congratulations to you on your hustle. Nevertheless, Russia tried and failed to turn out the lights in Kyiv. I'm not super worried about them. They could launch a kamimaze attack on the United States, and if they do they will all die - which is why that would be a strange choice.
I had heard of that...
As a general rule that hasn’t seemed to be a goal constantly.
Russian partisans aka freedom fighters. No need to fly hundreds of miles from Ukraine when local Russians can do the job.
“Russian partisans aka freedom fighters. No need to fly hundreds of miles from Ukraine when local Russians can do the job.”
Makes sense. Has it been confirmed? Have they taken credit for it? I had read about a Russian anti-Putin outfit that was way down south, but not about one so far up north. But it would make sense.
“Is it possible that Russian air defenses aren’t as advertised?”
Yes, it is possible.
These drones are not NATO / US weapons. They are homegrown stuff, probably plenty of imported parts, but all widely & usually commercially available. And, don’t forget, Ukraine once had quite the defense industry as part of the USSR’s defense industry. Usually some components came from elsewhere — the Soviets didn’t want any one republic to get the idea they could make all the parts for anything. Tough to build big stuff there now, due to Russian missile attacks. But, small stuff is a different story, and know-how is not really a problem.
Russia’s air defenses are not really designed to stop these low flying, low (if any) radar signature drones. Such drones are a tough nut to crack, esp. if they have advanced long range guidance that does not depend on GPS. (That makes the drones pricier, though.)
To be fair, I think the worry would be escalation to use of nukes, if Putin was desperate. He has suggested that very thing in the past...
Those are tough planes. Many took Stinger and other ManPad hits in Afghanistan and still got back to base. Maybe the drones can hit ‘em in more vulnerable spots?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.