Well, a liveuamap website contributor announced the takeoffs of those transports and their expected destination; so, I’d say that US/NATO intelligence-sharing might have played a part in that!
Ukrainian War Developments
- Thread starter james smith esq
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That's what I initially thought. They are in Belarus, we would certainly have some news about it, but in Ukrainian media, there is this report.
Only 137 deaths? I bet most of those are from airstrikes. Confirms that there hasn't been much fighting so far. I wonder how many have been captured.
I wonder if Kalibr missiles are being used to target power plants, munitions plants, air bases?
Well it can be that SAMs are still operational in Ukraine. Transports will definitely be a major target. This begs the question of why are these sites still kicking and not destroyed by SEAD sorties. Or why Russian ECM planes are not doing their job.
The Ukrainian AF is still in the fight (or was still in the fight a few hours ago). Whether they pose any threat to VVS in the air is questionable. As you said, Su-35s easily outclass the Ukrainian Mig-29s.
As for the last point, there is a reason why the PLAAF has adopted to NATO training styles.
Even with limited reserves, they can surge their best units in Kyiv and contest the airport with hours of warning. Understated factor.
The Russians have to commit the rest of the forces soon with some of the early gambles not paying off.
I believe the number throw around is 30-50k committed and the rest of the forces not yet sent in.
And the Russians will switch to looser ROEs, because they are still fighting with their hands tied behind their backs.
I think some were launched. Effectiveness is questionable. The main problem is that not enough of them has been launched. Most airbases only suffered a few hits instead of a few dozen hits.
So far I've only seen one Kalibr missile in a video that was posted many hours ago, after that video I haven't seen any more. The attack in this first wave is really very limited.
They have been launched from the Russian Navy ships stationed in the Black Sea; their strikes this morning against munitions depots were primarily accomplished with Kalibr missiles, although I saw a video of one getting intercepted earlier today.
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