OT: Putin's War in Ukraine

[kato13]

I agree they deserve it and more, but something like that could trigger an emotional response which leads to article 5, which leads to .

[kcdusk]

It might be we have painted ourselves into a corner. And the reason we can't find a solution, now, today. Is because the time for a solution to todays problems was 1, 3, 10 years ago. It could be the time to stand up to a bully was years ago, and we've missed our window.

[Jason]

As part of U.S. next $800 million in military aid to Ukraine we are including 200 M113's.

Battle taxis back in action.

Not really fit for front-line service in 2022, but probably usefull for re-supply and moving troops behind, but near the front lines.

[Raellus]

Next Batch

More military aid for Ukraine. Major highlights include:

CAESAR 155m SPAAGs (France)
T-72 tanks (Poland)
M84 tanks (Slovenia)
PzH2000 SPAAGs (Germany)

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-france-sends-howitzers-polish-tanks-could-follow

I kind of get it, but it still strikes me as strange how sending combat aircraft somehow "crosses a line" (towards escalation), considering how much killing power the above list represents (to say nothing of the thousands of Javelins, NLAWs, Matadors, MANPADS, etc. that the West has already sent Ukraine).

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[Tegyrius]

I kind of get it, but it still strikes me as strange how sending combat aircraft somehow "crosses a line" (towards escalation), considering how much killing power the above list represents (to say nothing of the thousands of Javelins, NLAWs, Matadors, MANPADS, etc. that the West has already sent Ukraine).

Kind of hard for a Javelin to conduct deep strikes in Russian territory against strategic targets. I think that's one of the concerns.

- C.

[Spartan-117]

Also, 72 more M777 tubes. With the previous 18, that's 5 full artillery battalions. Once delivered, Ukraine will be the 2nd largest user of 155mm M777 ultra light weight howitzers in the world.

[Targan]

Interesting article.

What this old Russian tank tells us about the invasion of Ukraine

[pmulcahy11b]

Interesting article.

What this old Russian tank tells us about the invasion of Ukraine

Well, it does seem to partially explain why Russian supply lines seem to be chronically overextended.

[pmulcahy11b]

Ukraine's operational MiG-29 fleet has grown, but NOT because its received replacement aircraft.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/no-additional-fighter-jets-havent-been-delivered-to-ukraine

Do you think NATO is covertly sending whole aircraft to Ukraine, but only publicly saying that they're sending spare parts

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That may be a politically smarter way to send the Ukrainians aircraft...now if they could put some Warthogs and ammo on those trains...

[Raellus]

Kind of hard for a Javelin to conduct deep strikes in Russian territory against strategic targets. I think that's one of the concerns.

Yeah, I get that, but, at this point (Mariupol falling any day now), giving the UAF parts to increase its operational MiG-29 fleet and just giving them more MiG-29s seems like a distinction without difference. The net effect is more or less the same.

The MiG-29 is relatively short-legged; given Russia's advantages in the air, the UAF also has to operate their aircraft from the western margins of the country. As a result, they pose more of a symbolic threat to Russian territory than a practical one. And the donors could make it clear to Kiev that any aircraft are not to be used outside of Ukraine's borders.

Yes, Moscow will cite any aircraft transfer as an escalation but, realistically, what are they likely to do about it Yes, they could do something rash but, again, at this point, unless the West is willing to essentially cede the eastern (industrial) third of Ukraine to Russia in perpetuity, I think the risk is worth it.

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[pmulcahy11b]

The MiG-29 is relatively short-legged; given Russia's advantages in the air, the UAF also has to operate their aircraft from the western margins of the country. As a result, they pose more of a symbolic threat to Russian territory than a practical one. And the donors could make it clear to Kiev that any aircraft are not to be used outside of Ukraine's borders.



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Maybe we should give them Su-27 "parts." They have over twice the operational range, and the Ukrainians did have a few of them until the war. Modify them to carry BLU-109s, and all that massed Russian armor turns into burning hulks after delivering a few of those.

What do you think happened to most of the Republican Guard's armor in OIF

[kato13]

distinction without difference.

International Law and diplomacy seems based on distinctions. France has not used the word "Genocide" as if they do so they are compelled to act. A prime minister utters a single word and they have to change policy.

The MiG-29 is relatively short-legged

It can reach Moscow. When thinking about this I was amazed I remembered Mathias Rust's name. Add to that the ending of Clancy's Debt of Honor. (A pilot who lost everything he cared about trying to strike a knife into the heart of the enemy).

If we were publicly saying "We gave them these planes" and the next day a "War crime"(from the perspective of the Russians happens) using said planes. They get as riled up as we were on 9/11, who knows what happens next.

[kato13]

Breaking

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3465606-ukraine-army-destroys-enemy-command-operations-center-eliminates-two-russian-generals.html

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed a command operations center of the 49th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces, eliminating two enemy generals.

Speaking of hitting high priority targets. If this is true I believe Russia has lost as many generals in Ukraine as the US lost in the entire Vietnam conflict (11).

[Targan]

Outstanding!

[Vespers War]

Maybe we should give them Su-27 "parts." They have over twice the operational range, and the Ukrainians did have a few of them until the war. Modify them to carry BLU-109s, and all that massed Russian armor turns into burning hulks after delivering a few of those.

What do you think happened to most of the Republican Guard's armor in OIF

I don't think Ukraine currently has much need for bunker-busters (the BLU-109's role). If you meant the BLU-108 skeet dispenser, the 155mm artillery could produce a similar effect if provided with SMArt (Suchznder Munition fr die Artillerie 155) or BAE/Nexter BONUS shells, since each of those carry a pair of skeets in a 155mm shell. Australia, Germany, Greece, and Switzerland currently have SMArt while Finland, Norway, Sweden, France, and the United States have BONUS.