An operation by US forces in Venezuela aimed at capturing Nicolas Maduro revealed that the country's airspace was significantly less protected than expected. According to information, some of the S-300 and Buk-M2 systems acquired from Russia were not connected to radars, while others were kept in storage.
The editorial reports, citing the NYT, that the main reasons for the air defense systems' failure are attributed to corruption, poor maintenance, the impact of sanctions, and Russia's potential negligence. Despite Nicolas Maduro's claims of possessing thousands of portable anti-aircraft missile systems, only one launch was recorded during the operation.
According to analysts, the Venezuelan army was practically unprepared for the operation, and what happened is assessed as a chain of consecutive mistakes. The incident not only dealt a serious blow to the country's military prestige but also demonstrated the limited possibilities of Russia's confrontation with the US in the region.