This is pure speculation on my part. But why hasn't Russia completely destroyed the Ukrainian Air Force and dominated the skies? Could it be that the army has the ear of Putin and the Air Force does not. I don't know enough about the military structure in Russia. But I cannot fathom why the Russian Air Force, which is no shabby outfit, has not destroyed every possible air frame in the Ukraine.

Yes there’s a lot of SAM’s floating around. But it still doesn’t make sense.