[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by aqualeo2040

I have a tactical question, probably someone with deeper knowledge in that field can help (@V.Narayan)


We have been seeing news of downed Russian Air Force planes in Ukraine. All the reported planes are SU-25s.

When the Russians have Mig29s and Su35s, why would they deploy aged SU-25s?

Seems like Russia is barely flexing its muscles here and we are not getting the full story.

The Su-25 is a close air support aircraft which flies low and slow attacking tanks, trucks and troops.

The Mig-29 and Su-35 primary role is air to air combat and secondary role is ground attack for which the Su-25 are more suitable.

Apart from Su-25s at least one or two advance Su-34 fight bombers have been shot down. Don't understand the Russian tactics, perhaps they are out of long range guided weapons or conserving them for more valuable targets?

Very stupid of the Russians to use such an aircraft such as a Su-34 which costs $40-50+ million for low level bombing with unguided bombs and then lose it to a $5-10k missile from a MANPAD. The Su-34 can easily bomb from far away out of reach of these missiles.

Also some Su-25s are younger than the Mig-29s

[sierrabravo98]

Originally Posted by aqualeo2040

I have a tactical question, probably someone with deeper knowledge in that field can help (@V.Narayan)


We have been seeing news of downed Russian Air Force planes in Ukraine. All the reported planes are SU-25s.

When the Russians have Mig29s and Su35s, why would they deploy aged SU-25s?

Seems like Russia is barely flexing its muscles here and we are not getting the full story.

In addition to what @Foxbat wrote above, the Su-35s were reportedly used in conjunction with S-400 AA systems to wipe out the cream of the Ukrainian Air Force (Su-27s) in (mostly) BVR engagements in the initial days of the war. Also, we don't know if RuAF is saving its best for an escalation with NATO forces (which have top of the line equipment). But again, if such is the case, it makes no sense to use (and lose) Su-34s for low-level ground attack roles.

The Russian playbook till now certainly defies conventional military logic of an all-out invasion.

[vishnurp99]

Originally Posted by aqualeo2040

I have a tactical question, probably someone with deeper knowledge in that field can help

I am not an expert but the army major explains the strategy in the video that I had shared earlier. You can review the video yourself.
The gist is that Russia is fighting a low cost war with the older equipment which has limited life left. The advanced equipment is being used in a limited manner for tactical strikes.
The aim is to sorround/siege and cut off water/power supply etc leading the cities to surrender.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by aqualeo2040

I have a tactical question, probably someone with deeper knowledge in that field can help (@V.Narayan)


We have been seeing news of downed Russian Air Force planes in Ukraine. All the reported planes are SU-25s.

When the Russians have Mig29s and Su35s, why would they deploy aged SU-25s?

Seems like Russia is barely flexing its muscles here and we are not getting the full story.

Its not that only Su-25s have gone down so far.

Apart from the losses of Russian Su-25s and helicopters, two of the confirmed Russian aircraft losses are that of Su-34s, arguably Russia's best and most advanced ground attack jet. One Russian Navy Su-30SM has also been shot down. Last night another Russian jet was shot down (type is unknown).

All of these Russian losses have been to Ukrainian Surface to Air missile systems like S-300, SA-8s & MANPADS like Igla, Piorun and possibly Stingers too but none apparently to Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-27 interceptors.

As to why Russia is employing Su-25s and not MiG-29s and Su-35s, well it's because the Su-25 is the only dedicated Close Air Support platform in Russian service while the MiG-29 and Su-35s are basically high speed interceptors designed to shoot down enemy aircraft (they have secondary and precision ground attack capability). The Su-25, like its American equivalent - the A-10, was designed to provide close air support (CAS) to friendly ground troops by attacking enemy armored vehicles, tanks, and other enemy ground forces primarily armed with Rockets, cluster bombs and it's front cannon. Its secondary mission is to Strike enemy infrastructure to direct other aircraft in attacks on ground targets, a role called forward air controller-airborne. Most of the times, it is required to fly low and slow in providing CAS to friendly troops and that is where it is vulnerable to enemy MANPADS and groundfire. Same is the case with attack and transport helicopters - quite a few have been lost by Russia already.

The focus now by the Russians seems to be proving air support to own troops and destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure. While top cover against Ukrainian Air Force interceptors are be flown by Russian MiG-29s and Su-27/30/35s, the ground attack missions are being flown by Su-24/25/34s with CAS being dedicatedly flown by Su-25s.


Su-25s firing rockets and simultaneously dispensing flares to distract possible hand held SAMS being fired at them. This photo is from a training mission at a bombing range as the lead Su-25 is a twin seat Su-25UB trainer

The Su-24 and Su-34 bombers are primarily for tactical deployment against ground and naval targets (tactical bombing/attack/Destruction of Enemy Air Defences/interdiction roles, including against small and mobile targets). CAS to ground troops is not really their forte.

Secondly , they are not employing GPS, Laser and TV guided bombs/missiles against targets, possibly because of poor weather in Ukraine now. In Syria , they were being employed liberally, almost as if to showcase Russia's advancement in guided munition technology. The only air launched guided munitions we have seen so far is the Kh-31 anti-radar missile. There is no evidence of TV/Laser guided Kh-29 missiles or TV/Laser guided bombs being employed by Russian jets. They are mostly dropping unguided rockets & cluster and iron bombs. Another very odd part of Russia's air campaign is the Russia has deployed MiG-31s armed with long range AA-9s possibly as fighter escort -a complete waste of the platform, as whatever Ukrainian air threats that are popping up, are flying very low and possibly get lost in ground clutter.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by NH08

After criticism for its purchase of oil, poor Shell, had to do this -

The CEO's no matter what statement they make in public against Russia or supporting Ukraine are definitely not happy from a business point of view along with the hard questions they will have to answer form their investors.

Loosing billions in investment overnight is the last thing a company wants to see and especially in these already challenging global economy. This move is going to impact their future revenue generation capacity and hit margins hard.

Also, chipmakers who were already struggling to fill up the supply chain are struggling further as the neon gas needed for chipmaking process is short in supply as Ukraine was a major contributor.

Matter of time when these industries heads will look up into the politicians eyes and say grow a spine and do something about it as we are generating tax revenues jobs etc and all these Sanctions are affecting us more than it is to Russia and lastly the hard hitting question would be "Sir, care explaining it to us, why are we forced to pull out from Russia, while US continues to buy Oil from Russia"

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by condor

Btw looks like most folks dont have access to Russian media. Most opinions and posts based on what is in the regular media - which is all US biased.

True.

Though it irks me that FB, YouTube and all have proactively censored Russian viewpoint, we can atleast understand that they are part of the western liberal world and would do so.

But what gets me are Indian companies doing so. Can't see any of the two Russian channels in Videocon D2H.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Amid The raging WAR, China Eyes Afghanistan’s $1 Trillion of Minerals With Risky Bet on Taliban.

China Seeking Ways To Access Afghanistan's Lithium & Copper Mines.

They really don't give up on a opportunity to increase their clout around the world.

But, do they really think the Americans didn't try every option available in the two decades they were there to do the same?

There is a reason why it is known as the “graveyard of empires.”

[FloatingCanvas]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Whenever I see our IFS cadre diplomats explain geopolitics on TV, I feel India is in safe hands when it comes to foreign relations. This is despite ignorant TV hosts trying to gaslight them to agree with western narrative.

Thank you for sharing this. Ambassador Venkatesh Varma's take on the geopolitical situation was very enlightening. The reporter was not very professional and kept trying to put words in his mouth and distort the experienced diplomat's analysis. Loved the way he shut her down in such a polite manner and stuck to his analysis on the topic without allowing her to stray into other topics.

[condor]

Any idea if this was recent or from the past ?



Btw, Russia is offering Oil at a good discount - to India and China. While sales to EU / NATO countries is stopped. How's that for friendship ?

[das_ren_auto]

Originally Posted by yashg

As for technology, Russia relies on western technology even to extract its oil.

Sir do you have any substantiating evidence for this. To my understanding Russians(read Soviets) matched US in most of the aspects connected to technology at a cost which is way lesser than US spent. They were definitely ahead in Space and Weapons with much lesser defense budget. They had always punched above their weight. China who are way ahead of Russia in terms of economy is still like their "junior partner". Only because we were conditioned by the education system designed by our COLONIAL OCCUPIERS, we always feel western achievements are superior.

[CarNerd]

Originally Posted by amit_snk

Western world mostly USA and UK have also done some horrible mistakes in the past, but that can't be an excuse to what is happening now with Ukraine and if this is not condemned unilaterally and stopped, tomorrow China can enter Arunachal saying it's historically part of there country.

What would be your reaction if tomorrow India decides to invade PoK saying it's historically part of us? What should we do in that case? Support or Protest?

If the US/UK were wrong in the past just like Russia is now, Can you tell me what Sanctions US/UK faced for their wrong doings? What about their allies in the West? Why should one set of countries escape being Punished?

Originally Posted by amit_snk

What we should strive for is a rule based world order where conflicts are resolved by discussions and diplomacy not by a bigger country chewing up smaller one and spitting of its population into dustbin

Rule based world order will work only if there is someone to enforce the rules like Police. Otherwise, those who are Powerful will try to exploit the weak. One solution is to let every country develop Nuclear Weapons so that no country can invade others.

[quantobigboot]

Originally Posted by condor

Any idea if this was recent or from the past ?

Doesn't seem to be related to Russia or the current conflict. It is an event for a government scheme

[skanchan95]

U.S. in talks with Poland on deal to send fighter jets to Ukraine

The Biden administration is holding talks with Poland about a possible deal to help provide Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, a White House spokesperson said.

The deal would involve Poland donating its old Russian-made MiG fighters to Ukraine, and then replacing them with the purchase of U.S.-made F-16 jets.

Send your MiG-29s to Ukraine and we'll replace them with our bestest F-16s!!!!

To me, this seems like a bribe to Poland for them to stick their neck out on behalf of the US and bait the Russians to attack Poland in some way. Hopefully Polish leadership doesn't take the bait and do something regrettable that results in Ballistic missile strikes on Poland. The Polish govt has denied this but who knows what Uncle Joe is upto.

[efgritesh]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

U.S. in talks with Poland on deal to send fighter jets to Ukraine
Send your MiG-29s to Ukraine and we'll replace them with our bestest F-16s!!!!

what a stupid thing to do, they want the war to escallate to WW3

[akhil_007]

Maybe a conspiracy theory OR figment of my imagination:

Is there anyway China gets involved in this conflict (read: gets dragged in) and somehow US gets a reason to push China down?

The reason this came up is because

1. Its 12 days since the invasion has started. NEITHER party has come forward with an intent to end this via negotiation NOR stepped up their defence or attack. What could be the geopolitical play here?

2. US is mostly gaslighting other countries to counter Russia while they are onlookers.


On a different note,

1. What is the problem with US Dollar being a standard across the globe. As someone previously mentioned, US is any day better than Russia/China when it comes to Foreign Policy, Give-And-Take Relationship. Anecdotally, Dictators tend to exhibit this behaviour where they want to replace USD with something else.

Would love to hear from well read experts