Why The Russian Air Force Has Failed To Secure Air Superiority Over Ukraine

One of the greatest surprises of the War in Ukraine is the Russian Air Force’s (VKS) inability to establish air superiority over Ukraine – something that, on paper, should have been possible. Many expected the Russian equivalent of the US shock and awe of the Gulf War (when much of the Iraqi Air Force mostly fled to Iran to escape destruction – and those that didn’t were destroyed). Instead, the Ukrainians fought off the Russian Air Force in something that looked closer to the Battle of Britain – but how?