My buddies and I were sitting around the fire last night discussing this same subject and wondering why such a seemingly formidable air force has not just completely dominated Ukraine. I came across this article this morning.

Click for Article...

From the article...

The Pentagon says some Russian jets are avoiding Ukrainian airspace, apparently to avoid being shot done by Ukraine's air defense systems.

During a background briefing with reporters, a senior US defense official said the Pentagon assesses that Russia is flying about 200 sorties every day but some never enter Ukraine's air space. Instead, the Russians are able to fire aerial-mounted cruise missiles at Ukraine from planes on the Russian side of the border.

I guess I never realized that Stinger missiles were that effective, but apparently they are.

I’m certain the technology on the stinger missile system has greatly improved since the 80’s and it devastated the Russians back then

That is like the Russian flying out of range while wagging their fingers at the Ukrainian's going Na na na na na.

Russian stealth tech may not be as good as advertised.

Me think ole Pussytin might have fucked with the wrong country.

But they had nothing to take out a 40 mile convoy. Doesn't all add up.

Is it just me, or does this whole thing seem like its a half butt attempt?

Trying to draw the US in, the whole plan from the start. Protecting their critical assets for the big show.

Well Trump approved the sale of the stingers and javelins in 2019. When he was on the the Full Send podcast and Hannity he was raving and repeatedly saying how he got them the missiles. I think this all has something to do with covid and Putin feels like he’s backed into a corner. They know way more than they are telling us.

Exactly

I doubt this, Russia has militarily been in decline since the break up of the Soviet Union. This is proven by them getting bogged down in Ukraine, If they actually had the conventional military might Putin wants the world to believe, he would have showed the same type of “Shock and Awe” the US did in Iraq. (Makes no sense he would “toy” around and take the loses he is taking.) Truth is, the conventional military is out of date, not modernized, underfunded, and unmotivated. If is wasn't for their nuclear arsenal, The western world would have jumped in and wiped the floor with that military. Even with that, Ukraine wont be able to hold on forever. They will eventually fall. However, even after that take over, the Russians will still have their hands full. The estimated damaged to date is in the billions to trillions. Russia does not have the economy to rebuild to this level. (Especially if these sanctions continue) Not rebuilding will lead to more unrest, Putin has basically bit off more than he can chew long term.

Yes, they are we don't need another $hit show.
But if can get fd up Biden will do it. SMH.

Truer words have never been said!!!

A couple things are pretty clear about all this
1 We don’t really know what’s going on except things aren’t adding up
2 All the money that our president/family and politicians/family have made stolen laundered in Ukraine won’t be happening there long as Russia is there but it does seem they’ve found a way around that with this new spending bill

Good assessment. Several risk assessment guys say that the Russian analysts always paint a pretty picture with Russia always winning because they are afraid to tell the truth and deal with the repercussions from those in charge.

Russia could level all of the cities there in a day if they wanted to but they are holding back for a reason and that reason (whatever it really is) is why no other countries are intervening.

With regard to their nuclear weapons... if they have been maintained as poorly as their conventional forces many of the rockets wouldnt leave the silos and those that did would probably not hit their intended targets (that is scarier than them hitting what they are shooting at).