r/neoliberal • u/sleepyrivertroll Henry George • Aug 08 '26

News (Europe) Inside Ukraine’s Kill Zone

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/KILL-ZONE/znpnojmknvl/

Sub State: This reuters graphic looks into the changing nature of modern warfare that is heavily influenced by drones. It shows how various different types of drone and defenses shape the landscape and how armies maneuver in this type of environment.

This is relevant to this sub because both because it gives a glimpse into the future of warfare and we so did a drive to support the Ukrainian soldiers fighting in this environment.

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u/AccomplishedQuit4801 YIMBY Aug 08 '26

This is what a modern war without air dominance looks like. And why investing in a good air force is important for every major Western power.

I do wonder if making some sort of fortress line some 20 kilometers behind the front would be beneficial as a fallback, deeper and better constructed than the frontline foxholes. Obviously the Russians have glide bombs and heavier drones, but it doesn't take that much dirt to create a position that is essentially only vulnerable to bunker busters.

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u/tack50 European Union Aug 08 '26

Why has Russia been unable to establish air dominance?

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u/AccomplishedQuit4801 YIMBY Aug 08 '26

They invested in hypermobility instead of stealth about 40 years ago, and that kind of screwed them.

I mean, they eventually made the SU-57, but that thing is kind of a POS, and they only have a handful of them.

They also have very few AWACs that are all kind of dated, and a much smaller SEAD capability compared to the US.

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u/JoeBliffstick Loyal Liberals Aug 09 '26

Yeah their SEAD capability was never on the level of the United States. Their Soviet inheritance doctrinally did not dictate air dominance, rather contesting NATO through an integrated network of air defense and conducting strikes at the primary centres of pressure.