They were going to be exchanged the next day with their names on the list, i don't expect them to qualify as a high risk for escape. If they're loaded and unloaded with more guards, and shackled during the flight why would you need more? How many agent escort prisoners inside the plane in the west? Cars might get ambushed but planes?
Yeah, Russia published list of POW's who were on the plane, but how about that some of these troops were already returned on previous exchanges. And if to believe stories of Ukrainians who were transferred on previous operations, there was much more Russian guards on plane. A bit lazy to search for that article, but if you really need it, can find it.
I believe all other attacks inside Russia were with "Ukrainian" missiles, old soviet stuff that they had in stock before the 2022. All new weapons are provided on a condition that they won't be used inside Russia. If you know of a patriot missiles used inside of Russia (outside of Crimea which west doesn't consider Russian) post it here i'd love to read about it. You can think that it's defense all you want, but the reality is Ukraine is restricted because it was never meant to win, thought this was already clear to everyone, did you really not know this?
This is back from May 25, 2023 when to get PR boost, Ukraine used Humvees to cross into Russia, it was a big deal, as you can see no one tried to claim defense then and they covered it up by claiming it wasn't Ukrainians there at all. And we haven't heard of any Humvees on Russian soil since then.
Nope, I can give you exact example. Back in May Ukraine shot down Su-34, Su-35 and two Mi-8 helicopters. It was done using Patriot and even Ukrainian officials confirmed it:
https://news.yahoo.com/air-force-confirms-destroying-5-171700543.htmlEdit: if "It does nothing to delivery times" then what's your genius theory on why haven't they been delivered already? And when will they if ever?
Because West is so slow when it comes to this question. With every new weapon that Ukraine want to get, they have to go through longest, toughest negotiations, what pushes delivery time forward untile Ukraine finally receives it. That's one of reasons why counteroffensivefailed.