[Goose]

Good new article on US intelligence sharing.



https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/nationa...-rcna26015

As Russia launched its invasion, the U.S. gave Ukrainian forces detailed intelligence about exactly when and where Russian missiles and bombs were intended to strike, prompting Ukraine to move air defenses and aircraft out of harm’s way, current and former U.S. officials told NBC News.



That near real-time intelligence-sharing also paved the way for Ukraine to shoot down a Russian transport plane carrying hundreds of troops in the early days of the war, the officials say, helping repel a Russian assault on a key airport near Kyiv.

Sounds like the unverified IL-76 shoot down did happen.

It appears that Ukraine did in fact shoot down 2 IL-76 aircraft supporting the airborne invasion. One of them was a troop carrier. The other one may have been as well, although I haven't been able to find a report confirming that. It could have been an intelligence or EW aircraft. At least 3 IL-76 aircraft are reported to have been part of the efforts near Kyiv. It was a bit of a cluster f***. The IL-76s apparently got there on time, but the airport wasn't secure. It was a "hot LZ" and they couldn't/didn't land. Two of them were shot down while apparently trying to figure out what to do, as near as I can determine from the reporting. The aircrew should have been briefed on "Plan B". If Russia was serious, they would have instructed the aircrew that they needed to land even if casualties would be expected and the airplane would be totaled. Flying to the LZ was dangerous. Flying away from the LZ once it is clear to the Ukrainians what is happening is even more dangerous, but you might make it back to Russia. Milling about is suicidal.

I have been wondering if NATO/US has been flying E-3 racetracks in Poland and/or Romania. An E-3 can see the air battle across most of Ukraine from inside NATO airspace. Two of them would be better and would really cover the country. That, plus satellites should give a pretty good picture. I still don't know if we are doing that, but it sounds like we are.

[Goose]

Good new article on US intelligence sharing.



https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/nationa...-rcna26015

As Russia launched its invasion, the U.S. gave Ukrainian forces detailed intelligence about exactly when and where Russian missiles and bombs were intended to strike, prompting Ukraine to move air defenses and aircraft out of harm’s way, current and former U.S. officials told NBC News.



That near real-time intelligence-sharing also paved the way for Ukraine to shoot down a Russian transport plane carrying hundreds of troops in the early days of the war, the officials say, helping repel a Russian assault on a key airport near Kyiv.

Sounds like the unverified IL-76 shoot down did happen.

It appears that Ukraine did in fact shoot down 2 IL-76 aircraft supporting the airborne invasion. One of them was a troop carrier. The other one may have been as well, although I haven't been able to find a report confirming that. It could have been an intelligence or EW aircraft. At least 3 IL-76 aircraft are reported to have been part of the efforts near Kyiv. It was a bit of a cluster f***. The IL-76s apparently got there on time, but the airport wasn't secure. It was a "hot LZ" and they couldn't/didn't land. Two of them were shot down while apparently trying to figure out what to do, as near as I can determine from the reporting. The aircrew should have been briefed on "Plan B". If Russia was serious, they would have instructed the aircrew that they needed to land even if casualties would be expected and the airplane would be totaled. Flying to the LZ was dangerous. Flying away from the LZ once it is clear to the Ukrainians what is happening is even more dangerous, but you might make it back to Russia. Milling about is suicidal.

I have been wondering if NATO/US has been flying E-3 racetracks in Poland and/or Romania. An E-3 can see the air battle across most of Ukraine from inside NATO airspace. Two of them would be better and would really cover the country. That, plus satellites should give a pretty good picture. I still don't know if we are doing that, but it sounds like we are.