OT: Putin's War in Ukraine

[Raellus]

Updates

Lysychansk fell to the Russians:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-russian-forces-expand-hold-on-the-donbas

The Russians abandoned Snake Island:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-plants-flag-on-snake-island-russians-claim-deadly-response

Ukraine might get replacement MiG-29s (from Slovakia) after all:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-may-finally-get-slovakias-mig-29s-thanks-to-czech-air-patrol-deal

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[swaghauler]

A Real World Overview of Artillery in Ukraine

While I usually avoid PowerPoint presentations, Perun is a great presenter of information and he goes into great detail here about artillery. He covers one thing that NEVER gets mentioned, but that we 13Bravos are constantly on guard for... Barrel life. It is what doomed the railgun and (in my own opinion) is the Achilles heel of the M777 and the Hawkeye 105mm howitzers. Sadly, my concerns seem to be born out in Ukraine.

https://youtu.be/EMEpxX7rS5I

Here is another good video as well...

https://youtu.be/7CmXz8Qd9yw

Swag

[pmulcahy11b]

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-russian-forces-expand-hold-on-the-donbas

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It seems that the Ukrainians believe that UK support may be in question due to Boris Johnson and his party falling out of favor. Input

[Rainbow Six]

It seems that the Ukrainians believe that UK support may be in question due to Boris Johnson and his party falling out of favor. Input

The UK Government is committed to supporting Ukraine so I doubt if there will be any significant changes. Although it may be done with less showboating than the current incumbent has practiced so there may be a perception in some quarters that it reduces.

[Raellus]

St. Himars

Callback to post #140 and counterpart to St. Javelin.

Militaryimages.net has a subforum dedicated to the war in Ukraine.

https://www.militaryimages.net/forums/the-ukraine-war-photo-and-video-forum.95/

And a bump for this Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/UAWeaponsref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1532282866293518336%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.militaryimages.net%2Fthreads%2Fukrainian-forces-2022.10408%2Fpage-10

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[Targan]

It feels like at the moment that if you're an active duty, combat arms Russian general you're more likely to die in a precision artillery/rocket strike in Ukraine than have the opportunity to retire quietly at home.

[Raellus]

Friends in Low Places

Looks like Russia's going to get some foreign military aid- "hundreds" of drones from Iran, likely including some kamikaze models.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/russia-getting-iranian-attack-drones-would-be-a-very-big-deal

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[Raellus]

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment

The Institute for the Study of War- an American thinktank, it appears- posts daily briefs (including annotated maps) on the course of the war in Ukraine, focusing on the strategic and operational level of warfare.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-12

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[pmulcahy11b]

This is an excellent video about what just about what everyone has supplied to Ukraine. Also, you will be helping a good poster who is getting squeezed out.

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=CDKYT2pikFw

[Raellus]

Warthogs Over Ukraine

Nice piece, Paul. Thanks for posting.

Let's add the A-10 Warthog to that list!

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/giving-a-10-warthogs-to-ukraine-isnt-off-the-table

Elements in the USAF and Congress have been trying to get rid of the A-10 for decades. What better send-off than allowing them the opportunity to go out doing what they were designed to do- take out Russian armor.

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[pmulcahy11b]

Let's add the A-10 Warthog to that list!


Elements in the USAF and Congress have been trying to get rid of the A-10 for decades. What better send-off than allowing them the opportunity to go out doing what they were designed to do- take out Russian armor.

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I think that if someone can come with something better than the Warthog, they should put up or shut up. The A-10 is like the B-52 -- there's nothing that can fill it's shoes.

They need to warm up production lines for the A-10C.

[swaghauler]

I think that if someone can come with something better than the Warthog, they should put up or shut up. The A-10 is like the B-52 -- there's nothing that can fill it's shoes.

They need to warm up production lines for the A-10C.

I wonder If that will happen but for a singularly different reason. The Army is trying hard to abolish or circumvent the Key West Agreement and really does want the A10. There are something like 160 operational airframes and the Army would need them all to fill in the gaps in CAS that they have with the Apache.

All that being said, the A10 would be a good idea for three reasons...

It can operate from "austere airfields."

Its cost of operation per flight hour is the lowest you can get in a combat jet.

Its tech is very Cold War meaning you do NOT NEED lots of high-tech gear to maintain or fight with the jet.

Sadly though, it won't solve Ukraine's most pressing need... CAP (Combat Air Patrol)... Ukraine needs something to stop high-altitude bombers and standoff attacks from Russian jets.

I STILL believe that the easiest route to take is to have all our former Pact members give up their older Mig 29s, SU22s, and even their Mig 21s and then replace THOSE NATO aircraft with F16s.

[swaghauler]

Helos At War

Perun has done an analysis of the use of helicopters in Ukraine.

https://youtu.be/qnoKpXvj41A

Swag

[pmulcahy11b]

Here's an interesting counterpoint to the A-10s for Ukraine idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=lAEQwlNeL0s

[Raellus]

Those are fair points, and if the Ukrainians don't want A-10s, we shouldn't try to foist our unwanted Warthogs on them. I'm kind of surprised that the Ukrainians aren't interested, though, given that they're using SU-25s on a regular basis, but I get that the supply of trained, experienced pilots is limited, and that the greater need is for fighter aircraft.

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