cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/1253052
Archived version: https://archive.ph/HGfpH
Archived version: https://web.archive.org/web/20230809191901/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-build-up-forces-west-counter-nato-threat-shoigu-2023-08-09/
From what I heard it was a bit more nuanced than that. The russian government deliberately ordered the army’s air defences disabled which allowed American air power to have free reign in that battlefield. I’ve no doubt the americans would have beaten them back regardless but with casualties.