Current Affairs Ukraine

[PhilM]

I think the man might be misquoted.
They have +- 150.000 men on the ground. According to estimates the Russian army has the following personnel (without reserves)

Currently, there are 136 battalion tactical groups in the armed forces formed by contractors. The number of conscripts amounts to 225,000 and the number of contractors amounts to 405,000 as of March 2020 and exceeds the number of conscripts by 2 times as of the end of 2021.[52][53][54]

So it's 20-25 percent of the total armed forces. The Pentagon also confirmed (a direct contradiction of British intelligence) that they're not looking to reinforce their numbers right now.

I am equally as sceptical about the 75% of entire force, however I am also very sceptical about their initial manpower numbers - e.g. actual troop numbers.

We all know about Russian kleptocracy, so it wouldn't be on the realms of imagination that the numbers stated, linked to pay and equipment, may be embellished.

I know a fair few BA troops who are nominally 'full time' in support roles, but they're much closer to the reserve regardless of what the numbers may say.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I am equally as sceptical about the 75% of entire force, however I am also very sceptical about their initial manpower numbers - e.g. actual troop numbers.

We all know about Russian kleptocracy, so it wouldn't be on the realms of imagination that the numbers stated, linked to pay and equipment, may be embellished.

I know a fair few BA troops who are nominally 'full time' in support roles, but they're much closer to the reserve regardless of what the numbers may say.

Exactly.

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

Main reason why he is bringing in mercenaries from Syria and Africa. Methinks the billion in aid will neutralize these newcomers.

Hearing Slovakia sending their anti aircraft batteries to Ukraine as long as they receive in kind a replacement.

Yup and Greece also has S-300 systems that could be provided as well.

Also heard that he’s bringing in troops from South Ossetia as well. China seems to be distancing itself from Russias demands for support and we’re now seeing real signs of desperation.

 

[PhilM]

Main reason why he is bringing in mercenaries from Syria and Africa. Methinks the billion in aid will neutralize these newcomers.

Hearing Slovakia sending their anti aircraft batteries to Ukraine as long as they receive in kind a replacement.

There'll also be less Russian mothers seeing their children coming home and having to bury them; that, or less parents wondering about their children.

Cheap, expendable cannon fodder comes to mind.

 

[BlueTX]

There's a whole movie that runs over two hours about all of that guy's lies.

A fave.



Hope James writes one for Putin. Should be a doozy.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

There'll also be less Russian mothers seeing their children coming and home and having to bury them; that, or less parents wondering about their children.

Cheap, expendable cannon fodder comes to mind.

The munitions upgrade such as the US drones both short range and long range will take out ships in the Sea of Azov amongst other targets. This itself will change the thinking of Russians in the South.

I just saw on TV the quagmire the Russians tanks are in as they are sitting ducks in dirt trenches as they haven't received the missive of how the Javelin Works they aren't a line of fire tank buster but have a arc trajectory. Talking heads here are in disbelief the Russians weren't better prepared and still they haven't figured it out.

 

[The binman chronicles]

Hands up who else comes here to distract themselves from the open war, casualties and soul destroying depression of being in E sector?

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: The weapons Ukraine needs most to win the war

According to our military experts, the war has transitioned from a lightning offensive to a brutal war of attrition.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

 

[verreauxi]

Something very weird going on in Moscow.

1. Last night Lavrov was half-way to Beijing when his plane turned around and went back to Moscow.

2. Early today China put out communiques bigging up Ukraine and praising them for their fortitude and stating China’s willingness to work with them in the future.

3. This morning 8 Russian special govt flights left Moscow - destination airfields scattered around the Ural Mountains (this is where Russia has its underground military bunkers).

4. Later this morning 2 additional special govt flights left Moscow for Kaliningrad.

So something is brewing.

Wishful thinking but hope Putin has been deposed and there is new leadership (highly unlikely, I know…)

 

[Glasshalffull]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, obviously. Just in case, though, anyone is a bit cavalier with 'we should do this', and 'they should do that', I suggest they give a listen to Eric Bogle, and 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'. If you can restrain a manly tear, then you're a substantially better man than am I.

 

[Martin Alvito]

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: The weapons Ukraine needs most to win the war

According to our military experts, the war has transitioned from a lightning offensive to a brutal war of attrition.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

Atlantic Council does good work. They're not gold-standard the way CSIS is, but they put out good stuff.

 

[peteblue]

Wishful thinking but hope Putin has been deposed and there is new leadership (highly unlikely, I know…)

It’s pronounced Poo-tin……and is a good descriptor….

 

[bluebud]

 

[Frenk]

Ukraine has the mighty tractor too, a machine feared by all Russian armored vehicles.

 

[Goat]

As much as I admire the spirit and honour that the Ukraines are fighting with, I really can not get over how bad the Red Army is, I mean wow.