The mysterious lack of engagement of the Russian Air Force

[Tetrachloride]

https://www.rawstory.com/experts-puzzled-by-lack-of-russian-air-power/

Basically, the Russian Air Force hasn’t done much.

I speculate they are very afraid. The “small” number of pilots are easier to identify in the long run than any infantry or tank unit.

Another speculation: “friendly fire”

and finally the big one: Incoming EU fighter aircraft.

[Cartoonist]

1. I think Russia is low on gas.

They can't supply the front quick enough.

[Tetrachloride]

2. that's a good one. ty

[getagrip_already]

7. they may be low on vodka......

that's probably closer to the truth.

[qazplm135]

3. those aircraft aint comin

but I think they are afraid of revealing how easily their jets are shot down by man held AA weapons.

If they commit planes in large numbers, and they are shot down in appreciable numbers, there goes any fear of their AF.

Also, if they don't have fuel for tanks and trucks and whatnot, then they aren't going to have the much more expensive and high burning fuel for jets.

[Karadeniz]

4. It might appear indelicate to be bombing the people they're liberating... like they are!!!

[SWBTATTReg]

5. Perhaps because trained pilots are hard to get on a moment's notice (takes

years to train, and planes are very expensive, and difficult to replace, especially if the planes are taken over and flown to friendly Ukrainian airports and Ukraine has another expensive military platform in its hands, free!

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Perhaps Putin suspects the loyalty of his senior Air Force officers ?

Best not to rely on them too heavily, then.

Just speculation. But appropriate to someone given to paranoia.

[EndlessWire]

8. I speculate

that he is holding them back for a bigger and better target. You can't win without both air power and ground troops, and he currently doesn't need to expend any planes on crushing Ukraine. Or, so he thought.

[FailureToCommunicate]

9. Maybe these...?

Stinger AA weapons



Link https://defence-blog.com/ukrainian-army-fields-stinger-missiles-in-the-face-of-russian-aggression/