The 'What Air Defense Doing?' meme emerged as a viral catchphrase in mid-2022 during the Russo-Ukrainian War. It specifically gained traction on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit after several high-profile strikes on supposedly well-protected military targets, such as airbases in Crimea. The phrase is a grammatically simplified expression of disbelief at how expensive anti-aircraft systems could fail to intercept incoming threats. It has since evolved into a versatile template used to mock any situation where a promised layer of security or protection fails spectacularly, often paired with images of smoke plumes or confused radar operators.