Any reason Ukraines airforce isn't being more active?

Like the convoy making its way to Kyiv, looked like just sitting ducks. Would have though thats a prime target for drones or even conventional aircraft to hit

are they waiting till things get really bad before deploying planes? Afraid of Russian Anti aircraft? Dont understand.

Aircraft are extremely expensive and AA has been brought in in those convoys, so it's a big risk. Attacking from the ground reduces the risk of casualties, but even then attacking a convoy isn't ideal as the amount of firepower concentrated guarantees a big and destructive encounter.

If they have the opportunity to wait for them to split off, they'll have better opportunity to take them out with minimal losses.

wasn't their airports one of the first places attacked, like in the first hour? Planes aren't like helicopters that can take off anywhere.

hypnox posted...

wasn't their airports one of the first places attacked, like in the first hour? Planes aren't like helicopters that can take off anywhere.

They have more than one airbase

Russia gained air superiority at the beginning of the assault. So, it's difficult to even try to launch aircrafts.
Mixed in with what the racist said in post 2, it's just not possible.

Sage_assassin20 posted...

Russia gained air superiority at the beginning of the assault. So, it's difficult to even try to launch aircrafts.
Mixed in with what the racist said in post 2, it's just not possible.

Apparently they do have planes up.

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3423277-ukraines-air-defense-forces-down-52-russian-warplanes-69-helicopters.html

Even if Ukraine maintained air superiority - it's weirdly very hard to engage armed ground forces with Interceptors ... but I don't know what kinda aircraft are being involved.

Lokarin posted...

Even if Ukraine maintained air superiority - it's weirdly very hard to engage armed ground forces with Interceptors ... but I don't know what kinda aircraft are being involved.

They have some multi role and close attack aircraft, but they don't really have much of an air force period.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Air_Force#Current_inventory

The airspace is still contested. They're using aircraft when they can.

Friends,

Well russians were planning this for months. They have satellites over Ukraine.

They knew where there military bases were. They hit those first, at 4:30 am. When things were sitting on the ground.

So very few if any airplanes left.

My wife talked to her Mom in Kharkiv Ukraine today, this morning. My mother in law is 67, sitting with no heat. no natural gas, food running low, water running low, pills running low.

I assume she will die with in two weeks. like thousands of other old people. From just the cold and lack of medical supplies.