How hard will it be for Ukraine to defend itself now that an attack by Russia has begun? Ukraine is outgunned and outnumbered right across the board - after significant investment and modernisation in Russia's armed forces by President Putin.

Dr Jack Watling, of the Royal United Services Institute, says: "I think the Ukrainians are in a very difficult position." He's just returned from Ukraine and says the country's military leaders now face some "very hard choices".

Western officials estimate that Russia had up to 190,000 troops on Ukraine's border - far more than Ukraine's entire regular army of 125,600.

Russian forces are already crossing the border from multiple directions.
Russia's dominance in the air
But the real disparity between Russian and Ukrainian forces is in the sky.

Ukraine has 105 combat aircraft on the border compared with Russia's 300, Mr Watling says. The Russians, he predicts, "will very quickly gain air superiority".

Russia's advanced air defence systems, such as S-400 missiles, also gives its forces an advantage. In contrast, Ukraine has older and more limited air defences.

Mr Watling gives the example of Israel being able to defend itself from multiple directions. But he adds it's only been able to do so because of its superiority in the air. That's something Ukraine simply doesn't have.

Moscow has developed its own version of "shock and awe" with integrated air, missile and long-range rocket artillery, says Ben Barry.

It allows the Russians to attack Ukraine's command and control centres, ammunition depots, air force and air defences from far away.

Blackestjunior:
How hard will it be for Ukraine to defend itself now that an attack by Russia has begun? Ukraine is outgunned and outnumbered right across the board - after significant investment and modernisation in Russia's armed forces by President Putin.

Dr Jack Watling, of the Royal United Services Institute, says: "I think the Ukrainians are in a very difficult position." He's just returned from Ukraine and says the country's military leaders now face some "very hard choices".

Western officials estimate that Russia had up to 190,000 troops on Ukraine's border - far more than Ukraine's entire regular army of 125,600.

Russian forces are already crossing the border from multiple directions.
Russia's dominance in the air
But the real disparity between Russian and Ukrainian forces is in the sky.

Ukraine has 105 combat aircraft on the border compared with Russia's 300, Mr Watling says. The Russians, he predicts, "will very quickly gain air superiority".

Russia's advanced air defence systems, such as S-400 missiles, also gives its forces an advantage. In contrast, Ukraine has older and more limited air defences.

Mr Watling gives the example of Israel being able to defend itself from multiple directions. But he adds it's only been able to do so because of its superiority in the air. That's something Ukraine simply doesn't have.

Moscow has developed its own version of "shock and awe" with integrated air, missile and long-range rocket artillery, says Ben Barry.

It allows the Russians to attack Ukraine's command and control centres, ammunition depots, air force and air defences from far away.

Troop or no troop just drone can handle troops and tankers. Go check Albania war
But Russian airpower,missiles plus nuclear weapons matter no be here