Recent satellite imagery reveals more details of the unique measures Russia has taken in hopes of protecting its long-range bombers against Ukrainian attacks. Sattelites images reveal that Russia is placing tires on the upper surfaces of the aircraft in various patterns.
The main concern of a Russian officer is to keep his position. And the way to do this is to produce optimistic reports to the faraway high command, or be fired. He can’t procure any valuable resources due to sanctions, so he uses anything he has just to show he does something. He cares about his position above everything else, so this decision is quite rational for him.