Russia underestimated Georgian air defenses

[unhappycamper]

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks with Russian air force pilot Vyacheslav Malkov, who was wounded when his Tu-22 Backfire long-range bomber was shot down by Georgian forces.


Russia underestimated Georgian air defenses
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 17, 2008 6:43:45 EDT

The commander of Georgia’s air force gathered the international media in April to show a video of a Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum shooting down a Georgian unmanned drone — four months before fighting broke out between the two countries.

It was the second Georgian UAV shot down by a sophisticated fourth-generation fighter, an example of Russia’s utter air dominance over its smaller neighbor. But although Russia ruled the air during fighting, its air force didn’t emerge unscathed.

Georgian air defense systems shot down multiple Russian aircraft — even one of its most advanced bombers — although it’s unclear how many.

Russian officials said three Su-25 Frogfoot attack planes and one Tu-22 Backfire long-range bomber were shot down by the Georgian military.

Georgia, on the other hand, claims it shot down as many as 21 Russian planes.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/09/airforce_georgia_uav_091608/%2e