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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 27, 2022 22:16:39 GMT
Update from the Defence Secretary today, the MOD estimates Russia has lost 15,000 personnel and 2,000 armoured vehicles. "With this invasion of Ukraine, all of Europe can now see the true face of President Putin and his inner circle. His intention is only to destroy, to crush, to rub out the free peoples of Ukraine. He does not want to preserve. He must not be allowed to prevail. Ukrainians are fighting for their very lives and they are fighting for our freedoms. The President of Ukraine himself said as much: if Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no more Ukraine." www.gov.uk/government/speeches/defence-secretary-statement-to-the-house-of-commons-on-ukraine-25-april-2022I know this is a simple question with a complex answer, but how and why have Ukrainian forces had such success? I know the Russian military is becoming a bit run down and badly managed, but it still bristles with manpower and arms. Does the contribution from the West make a big difference? Like the Javelin anti-tank thingy? I suspect it's a number of factors, the equipment and training we've provided has been a massive help as has the intelligence we've almost certainly have passed on (US and RAF surveillance aircraft have been flying nearby coupled with GCHQ intercepting radio traffic, etc and satellites would give a lot of details). The surprising ineptitude of the Russian forces has helped too. They were on exercises just before so would have spent a while in the field where soldiers and equipment would need a period of rest and maintenance. Reputedly the junior soldiers and even many senior officers weren't even aware of events, expecting to be welcomed as liberators. Add to that the determination of the Ukrainians themselves to defend their homes and families. Sadly the Russian army has a bad reputation when it comes to treatment of civilians, some of it well deserved, so that determination has probably been stiffened somewhat. The equipment provided so far has been great for this first phase where Ukraine has been defending territory, they will need to have different equipment and tactics if they intend to go on the offensive and recapture the south. I suspect this will drag on for a while yet unless Putin suddenly declares a 'victory'. I see there has been trouble in Moldova too, that is something to watch out for. |
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Post by trevorgas on Apr 28, 2022 6:35:19 GMT
I know this is a simple question with a complex answer, but how and why have Ukrainian forces had such success? I know the Russian military is becoming a bit run down and badly managed, but it still bristles with manpower and arms. Does the contribution from the West make a big difference? Like the Javelin anti-tank thingy? Tactically Russia spread themselves far too thin in initial invasion. Logistics were calamitous so most ran out of fuel half way to Kiev and just got picked off. The troops were unprepared and badly trained kids. Their equipment is shockingly badly maintained. Their enemy is organised and highly motivated and has been getting intelligence from the US and pummelling them with anti tank weapons, TB2 drone strikes and using night vision equipment they didn't have to hunt them in the dark. Game changed a bit now though for both sides so we shall see. The war in Eastern Ukraine will be more like 1945 where sheer weight of numbers will be a significant factor. |
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Post by oldie on Apr 28, 2022 10:19:20 GMT
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Post by yattongas on Apr 28, 2022 10:53:08 GMT
Interesting…. But can’t read it all as you have to log in |
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Post by oldie on Apr 28, 2022 13:01:00 GMT
Interesting…. But can’t read it all as you have to log in Oh, you don't subscribe to the Economist?🤪 |
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Post by yattongas on Apr 28, 2022 15:17:47 GMT
Interesting…. But can’t read it all as you have to log in Oh, you don't subscribe to the Economist?🤪 Couldn’t afford that and the Beano . |
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Post by fintanstack on Apr 28, 2022 20:38:32 GMT
I realise it is a little old but the footage of a very shaky Putin and photos of him having to grip the edge of a table hopefully means he is both physically and politically weak and ripe for being overthrown.
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Post by yattongas on Apr 28, 2022 21:07:28 GMT
I realise it is a little old but the footage of a very shaky Putin and photos of him having to grip the edge of a table hopefully means he is both physically and politically weak and ripe for being overthrown. If he does get replaced , is his replacement likely to be any better for the west ? I’d guess whoever replaces him will be another nutter and maybe even worse. |
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Post by stuart1974 on May 4, 2022 17:59:20 GMT
Forgotten victims of the war. Reminds me of the Romanian orphanages just after the regime fell in 1989. "There are claims that thousands of disabled Ukrainian children have been forgotten and abandoned in institutions that can’t look after them. The human rights organisation, Disability Rights International, has carried out an investigation and found children with severe disabilities tied to beds in overrun children’s homes unable to cope. The BBC has been given exclusive access to an institution in western Ukraine, where disabled children from the east have been left by their carers who fled to neighbouring countries." www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-61325277 |
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Post by stuart1974 on May 6, 2022 15:31:30 GMT
Possibly another Russian ship hit.
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Post by stuart1974 on May 12, 2022 12:28:48 GMT
Finland a step closer to joining Nato, Sweden probably not far behind and we agree a mutual support in the meantime.
Well done Vlad, a war to stop Ukraine joining Nato has led to the almost certain membership of Finland and a large increase in Russia directly bordering Nato members.
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Post by baggins on May 12, 2022 12:41:06 GMT
Finland a step closer to joining Nato, Sweden probably not far behind and we agree a mutual support in the meantime. Well done Vlad, a war to stop Ukraine joining Nato has led to the almost certain membership of Finland and a large increase in Russia directly bordering Nato members. Dare him to step one foot into any of then. |
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Post by francegas on May 12, 2022 15:06:38 GMT
Finland a step closer to joining Nato, Sweden probably not far behind and we agree a mutual support in the meantime. Well done Vlad, a war to stop Ukraine joining Nato has led to the almost certain membership of Finland and a large increase in Russia directly bordering Nato members. Dare him to step one foot into any of then. Wouldn't put it past him Bags. |
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Post by baggins on May 13, 2022 7:11:34 GMT
Dare him to step one foot into any of then. Wouldn't put it past him Bags. Would be the last thing he did. |
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Post by stuart1974 on May 13, 2022 23:00:47 GMT
Nice thought, but no, not really.
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Post by stuart1974 on May 13, 2022 23:03:10 GMT
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Post by baggins on May 14, 2022 10:47:24 GMT
If Putin's struggling with Ukraine, wait till he tries that on with Poland. Bad move. |
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Post by stuart1974 on May 16, 2022 22:22:08 GMT
Rumours that Putin has taken over operations directly continue. Hallmark of a dictator losing a war.
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Post by oldie on May 17, 2022 7:52:19 GMT
Rumours that Putin has taken over operations directly continue. Hallmark of a dictator losing a war. I wonder if he ordered the recent attempt to cross the river where nearly a whole battalion has been destroyed? |
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Post by stuart1974 on May 17, 2022 11:01:07 GMT
Cracks starting to show?
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