Why hasn't Russia gained control of the air?

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This article from a defense think tank may cover the question in more depth:

https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentar...

Explanation: the real reason is NATO radars providing complete situational awareness to Ukrainian side, and Russian side can't do anything about that without shooting at NATO radar planes flying in NATO airspace.

What is that based on?

Planespotters reports

Yes, this was theorized on day 1 and later confirmed.

Confirmed by who? Where?

There isn't anything in the air for the ukrainians. So they would be only targeting stuff on the ground. Meanwhile the ground will be targeting them. You only have so many flares. So the cost-benefit is probably not there.

Not to mention... how long until a missile tracks something that they arent allowed to shoot. Awful lot of NATO stuff up in the area. 1 nato bird falling from the sky because some newb pilot? You might just find yourself biting off more than you can chew.

> There isn't anything in the air for the ukrainians.

According to news reports, the Ukrainian air force and their unmanned planes (UAVs) are flying and fighting, and having a real effect on Russian ground forces. Other countries are sending additional planes.

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