Ukraine and Only Ukraine. If it isn't about Ukraine then fuck off

[hobie1616]

Air Force: Ukraine starts using US-made “smart bombs” kits

Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat confirmed on March 31 that Ukraine was already using U.S.-made Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) guided kits for aerial bombs.

news.yahoo.com

 

[hobie1616]

The chief of the Russian General Staff (CGS), Valery Gerasimov — who became the overall commander of President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine on January 11 — "is pushing the limits" of the Kremlin's tolerance of failure in the war, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Saturday.

"Gerasimov’s tenure has been characterised by an effort to launch a general winter offensive with the aim of extending Russian control over the whole of the Donbas region. Eighty days on, it is increasingly apparent that this project has failed," the defence ministry said in a statement.

"On several axes across the Donbas front, Russian forces have made only marginal gains at the cost of tens of thousands of casualties, largely squandering its temporary advantage in personnel gained from the autumn’s ‘partial mobilisation’," it continued.

"After ten years as CGS, there is a realistic possibility that Gerasimov is pushing the limits of how far Russia’s political leadership will tolerate failure," it added.

Gerasimov was the fourth commanding general appointed by Putin to oversee the campaign in Ukraine since the war began.

Retired Lt. General Mark Hertling called the appointment of the 67-year-old general "bizarre," telling CNN on the day of the announcement: "It's troubling to me and it's confusing to me why Mr. Putin did this other than potentially to place blame on Gerasimov, who is considered an insider in the Kremlin."

Some context: Russian forces have suffered steep losses in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, and made only incremental gains, Ukrainian officials said earlier this week.

Russia has been pushing hard to capture the city and land a rare if largely symbolic victory.

After failing to make gains elsewhere in the country, Moscow has been focusing its efforts on the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

 

[Olsonist]

At 67 years old, Gerasimov is another Russian Boomer. Along with 70 year old Putin, they're a generation clinging on to power. Then with death on one side and failure on the other, they're saying, yeah failure isn't so bad because they have nothing to lose. Instead their younger generation is getting chewed up and then Russia is even more demographically fucked.

 

[spankoka]

Cannister rounds?

Didn't see any use of a hmg as well.

Just drive over the enemy position and bury them alive, that is what was done with Leos in Afghanistan.

 

[Tax Man]

Just drive over the enemy position and bury them alive, that is what was done with Leos in Afghanistan.

Canadian care and maintenance standards meant that was the only effective way to use a tank.

 

[kent_island_sailor]

I get that (more or less).
that being said, it's my opinion militarism should die a billion horrific deaths for what it imposes on this world. if I could snap my fingers right now...

Why yes it should, but not quite yet.
You are far from the first person to hate war and be disgusted by it. I suspect about 99% of the Ukranian armed forces would rather be doing something else too. When an enemy is rampaging through your country, raping, looting, torturing, and just destroying everything they can because they can, that is not really a time to channel your inner pacifist.
The huge issue with being all disarmed and peaceful is you need to get everyone else to do it too at the same time. See the movie "Black Robe", a 17th century Jesuit converts the Huron tribe in Canada to be peaceful Christians. He goes back to France for some time and then when he returns to see how they are doing he finds out their unconverted neighbors killed them all.

 

[d'ranger]

The piece that LeoV posted is indeed very long and and also worthwhile as it is detailed every aspect of this conflict. Here is a good piece from the AP on the coming counter offensive. Just posting the link since it is available to anyone
Will there be a counter offensive

The key points are several attacks and the big one is splitting the Russians.
slava Ukraine

 

[Mark_K]

Where was Russian artillery?

The poor fuckers in that trench never stood a chance.

Very poor Russian tactics.

The tactics the Russians have been using is very small squads as the Ukrainians (both sides, really) are reluctant to spend their artillery rounds on such. Sometimes they will run into things they can not handle but the risk is accepted. These tactics have been effective for them.

Shed the notion that war is safe for infantry. The low losses we took in our SMOs are an historical exception. In nearly all wars infantry dies like flies.

 

[kent_island_sailor]

The tactics the Russians have been using is very small squads as the Ukrainians (both sides, really) are reluctant to spend their artillery rounds on such. Sometimes they will run into things they can not handle but the risk is accepted. These tactics have been effective for them.

Shed the notion that war is safe for infantry. The low losses we took in our SMOs are an historical exception. In nearly all wars infantry dies like flies.

Besides for all that, the Russians seem to have no problem trying to run Ukraine out of ammo killing Russians. Historically there were always more to throw in the meat grinder. That may be an issue this time.

 

[SloopJonB]

Besides for all that, the Russians seem to have no problem trying to run Ukraine out of ammo killing Russians. Historically there were always more to throw in the meat grinder. That may be an issue this time.

Attrition has always been a favourite tactic for the Russians - "We've got lots"

 

[3to1]

Why yes it should, but not quite yet.
You are far from the first person to hate war and be disgusted by it. I suspect about 99% of the Ukranian armed forces would rather be doing something else too. When an enemy is rampaging through your country, raping, looting, torturing, and just destroying everything they can because they can, that is not really a time to channel your inner pacifist.
The huge issue with being all disarmed and peaceful is you need to get everyone else to do it too at the same time. See the movie "Black Robe", a 17th century Jesuit converts the Huron tribe in Canada to be peaceful Christians. He goes back to France for some time and then when he returns to see how they are doing he finds out their unconverted neighbors killed them all.

lol, you say all that like I just fell off the turnip truck...
fuck 'militarism'.

 

[Mark_K]

Take a closer look. At 7:04 a second round I had missed before impacts near the tank. At 8:23 the tank shoots straight up the trench and some white sheets starts flapping, but it's caught on the tree and blowing in the wind of the tank's blast. There's no person doing that in the instant after the round impacts.

A secondary (?) explosion goes off between the tank and the tree, and the tank moves in closer, firing again and again. A hand grenade is thrown and the tank finishes them off.

The Russians never tried to surrender. They fought to the end. Brave, but dead.

That white sheet...just happened to be there? In a muddy field??

Nope. Not blaming the Ukrainians, as I don't know what there objective was. Might have been further on and you are not compelled to let guys live on your back when advancing. However this video is highly likely to be used for Russian propaganda on their own troops. "Don't try to surrender, it will do you no good against these beasts! Fight to the last man."

 

[Fah Kiew Tu]

lol, you say all that like I just fell off the turnip truck...

Nah, pretty sure you're still firmly wedged on there, actually.

FKT

 

[Ease the sheet.]

The tactics the Russians have been using is very small squads as the Ukrainians (both sides, really) are reluctant to spend their artillery rounds on such. Sometimes they will run into things they can not handle but the risk is accepted. These tactics have been effective for them.

Shed the notion that war is safe for infantry. The low losses we took in our SMOs are an historical exception. In nearly all wars infantry dies like flies.

In this case, the tactic was definitely not effective.
How is any side going to take and hold land if everyone is dead?


The importance of artillery support https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Long_Tan


There's plenty of other examples including from US smo"s...

 

[Mark_K]

In this case, the tactic was definitely not effective.
How is any side going to take and hold land if everyone is dead?


The importance of artillery support https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Long_Tan


There's plenty of other examples including from US smo"s...

Anecdotal information can be deceptive. Infantry is deployed without artillery support by everybody at times.

I get the reason to dismiss the Russians as idiots and mindless orcs for propaganda, but it's important to not fall into the trap of believing one's own bullshit. They are not idiots.

Just for shits and giggles, here is a pro assessing the Russian attempt to take Kiev. He teaches at West Point. He clearly sees them as nowhere near as stupid as we are seeing depicted in the press, twitter pundits, and assorted cheerleaders in social media.

 

[LeoV]

Every Russian soldier will recognize it was not a white flag.

 

[LeoV]

ust for shits and giggles, here is a pro assessing the Russian attempt to take Kiev. He teaches at West Point. He clearly sees them as nowhere near as stupid as we are seeing depicted in the press, twitter pundits, and assorted cheerleaders in social media.

Point me were he sees them as not stupid as in not failing of having a plan and follow through. From 49 minutes he admits Russia is great at withdrawal, and actually plan and train for it... really funny as you think about it.

 

[Ishmael]

 

[Ease the sheet.]

Anecdotal information can be deceptive. Infantry is deployed without artillery support by everybody at times.

I get the reason to dismiss the Russians as idiots and mindless orcs for propaganda, but it's important to not fall into the trap of believing one's own bullshit. They are not idiots.

Just for shits and giggles, here is a pro assessing the Russian attempt to take Kiev. He teaches at West Point. He clearly sees them as nowhere near as stupid as we are seeing depicted in the press, twitter pundits, and assorted cheerleaders in social media.

My comments are directed at a specific incident. Hardly anecdotal, it's on film!

To assume that they relate to all incidents is not making an ass out of me.


The fact that the Russians did not take Kyiv is telling though. Perhaps a victory for reality over theory?

 

[Ease the sheet.]

Point me were he sees them as not stupid as in not failing of having a plan and follow through. From 49 minutes he admits Russia is great at withdrawal, and actually plan and train for it... really funny as you think about it.

Everyone has a plan.
It's what's happens when the plan turns to shit that matters...