The latest intelligence update on the war in Ukraine suggests Russian forces are struggling on the ground and in the air and that the Russian invasion is being significantly stalled by Ukrainian tactics.
The Ministry of Defence provided the following update.
- Russian forces are struggling to overcome the challenges posed by Ukraine’s terrain.
- Russian forces have remained largely tied to Ukraine’s road network and have demonstrated a reluctance to conduct off-road manoeuvre. The destruction of bridges by Ukrainian forces has also played a key role in stalling Russia’s advance.
- Russia’s continued failure to gain control of the air has drastically limited their ability to effectively use air manoeuvre, further limiting their options.
- The tactics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have adeptly exploited Russia’s lack of manoeuvre, frustrating the Russian advance and inflicting heavy losses on the invading forces.
As things stand today, intelligence reports state that Russian forces have remained tied to Ukraine’s roads and have demonstrated a reluctance to conduct off-road manoeuvre. The destruction of bridges by Ukrainian forces has also played a key role in stalling Russia’s advance. pic.twitter.com/MtpNtqSZIH
— George Allison (@geoallison) March 16, 2022
A senior US Department of Defence official also stated that Russia’s advance had been stalled on almost all fronts, but it did not seem that it would stop its attacks.
Meanwhile a Russian siege at a hospital in Mariupol is continuing with more than 400 people trapped amid heavy artillery fire, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna
Vereshchuk said.
Mariupol, a key port city on the Black Sea coast, has been under bombardment by Russian forces for more than a fortnight and residents have had access to food, Water and power cut off.
First things first, well done the Ukrainians. I hope they succeed and have a future where they can take their place of choice in the world, including NATO. They shouldn’t be deflected by a failed Russian regime unless they think it is absolutely in their own best interest. The west must continue to stand by them. Secondly, this war brings into focus the limitations of armour and the columns in which it has to travel. Flat, open ground is tank territory but most future scenario’s are more likely to be about the littoral, over the horizon incursions and global reach.… Read more »
Putin I think also invaded at the wrong time of year. Winter/spring when the ground is soft and waterlogged as opposed to summer when it is drier and firmer. Seen so many images of Russian armour stuck in mud up to the tops of the tracks. Amazing really given the Russians noted the same flaws in Nazi strategy during Barbarossa. Russian T-34s were much better suited to the winter/spring steppe than the German Panzers and yet they seem to have forgotten those lessons now, fortunately for Ukraine.
You would think they would learn Gareth but perhaps it’s just as well they don’t!
Your assuming they can read and have studied history. Maybe time to re adjust our presumptions. Children could have planned a better invasion using crayons. Let’s be honest Russia measures success in war by letting someone invade half your country and kill millions of your own people then declare victory after the enemies logistics collapse and they have to go home. Not exactly Alexander the Great. I honestly can’t think of a single war they every really won.
They have also been historically militarily defeated by the Fins, the Poles and the Japanese. I think we give them too much credit and we take too much council from our fears. Namely nukes. They say the word nuke and we all scurry away and nibble our nails. To hell with that, its blackmail from a bully; surely we know better?
Russia didn’t think it would meet much resistance and may have thought delaying would lead to more Western weapons being deployed. The latter happened anyway in higher volumes.
They have put up a good force so far. As time wears on I fear the Ukrainians are going to get worn down. Lack of food, water, weapons, is going to kick in at some point if Russia continue to encircle cities and destroy everything in sight. While Russia have had issues they can continue to resupply and rotate units from the mother land. In a war of attrition this could be the downfall of Ukraine. I am ever hopeful that Ukraine can give enough of a bloody nose to stop Russia or that the Russian forces can be wiped… Read more »
I think if you loose much more than 30% of your armour you wouldn’t have much faith in it?
If you loose 50% of your armour you know you are in a meat grinder and your focus is on personal survival rather than tactical.
I’d be fascinated to know what % of deployable armour Russia has lost. If the corruption and maintenance problems are as bad as they appear to be then I’d be amazed if they had much more that worked that wasn’t in theatre.
https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html
AFAIK the active number of Russian tanks is ~2700 the rest are in storage/reserve.
Thnx very helpful.
Then I would say they are at tipping point with losses.
And hopefully the 🇺🇦 forces can do even more damage and reduce the 🇷🇺 tank, truck, launcher stocks even further. And knock off a few ships the south too. Hope they can recoup their territory plus some. Terribly difficult and lots of casualties all round. The bloody carnage caused by one bloody idiot! Putin and Lavrov are probably enjoying the whole spectacle. 💪 💪 to 🇺🇦 and its people and forces! May they overcome all that is against them. There leadership and people are inspirational. What guts!
*Their..
Only about 25% of the 10,000 tanks in reserve are classed as operational, and out of that 25% only 10% could be mobilised in 10 days . They are not kept in temperature controlled warehouses , the majority are parked in the open air . I have a good friend who use to serve in the Russian army in the mid 2000s as a mechanic ( he now works for BMW in Spain ) and he told us stories have how they sold spare parts on the black market, faked service logs , stole fuel and oils . The amount… Read more »
If I remember correctly from yesterday evidence from a body which studies satellite imagery claim that at least 120 main battle tanks have been destroyed so far and around a thousand vehicles altogether. The tank certainly does seem to be in that period where it’s effectiveness is very much in question, increasing protection is extremely difficult even in the West’s rather bigger versions while anti tank weapons are only going to get more sophisticated and effective in the future. As analysts reported in the Telegraph a few days back, British tank numbers wouldn’t last a week in Ukraine, which suggests… Read more »
Maybe.
I’m not sure that I would give our tanks such a short lifespan. Maybe our advantage also extends to armour as it does to AT weapons and things like Trophy?
I think the attritional rate of old junk with carp tactics is a very poor argument for the need for armour being over.
Agreed mate!
Infantry and close air support.
Indeed both lacking in Russian military practice. Combined arms tactics. Clearly not exercised or delivered. Very poor tactics displayed by Russian military.
History shows us that the armouring of warships went into steep decline post WWII – largely because air weapons were becoming too powerful to effectively resist – and judging by the impressive scale of destruction imposed on even the most modern Russian armoured vehicles seen in the Ukraine it may well be that the era of heavily armouring vehicles is also coming to a close. I would speculate that future armoured vehicles should be armoured to a level where they are proof against shell splinters and weapons up to around 40mm or so, and rely upon electronic and active countermeasure… Read more »
I don’t think that MBT’s have met their battleship moment (all be it I’m a bit biased). I think what you’re seeing is the over-stating of how good their kit is by Russia and what that has lead to.
If you take the T-80 as an example, it’s based off of the T-64 series of tanks with bits of T-72’s thrown in. Coupled with a turbine engine instead of a turbo diesel. So in essence, although the T-80 was designed in the 70’s it’s a 60’s tank with some tinsel.
The lack of co ordination between air & ground Russian forces, does not mean the end of the tank. When you have the two working together, you can take a lot of land. In early WW2 the Stuka & the Panzer IV were a good combination. The Russians had the T34 & Il2. The Allies had the Sherman & rocket armed Typhoon. A modern team might be Apache + GDLS light(medium) tank the US Army seems about to adopt.
It seems like we got that right with the NLAW and not spending billions on heavy armour. I think tanks have MAYBE met their battleship moment.
Anyone got any info on the active armour system that some Russian tanks were using? did it work?
It seems the new fashion accessory for the T80 is a steel trellis to help protect from top attack mode. Is this just a morale booster?
We need a longer range version of NLAW that is drone targeted but not over complicated……
As I said above 1970’s armour technology meeting 2010 anti armour was only ever going to have one result.
So I don’t think you can deduce anything other than
– NLAW works as advertised
– Russia exaggerated the effectiveness of its kit.
“ It seems the new fashion accessory for the T80 is a steel trellis to help protect from top attack mode. Is this just a morale booster?”
Or just a copy of the British improvisation from elsewhere?
Sold to the troops: NLAW is British + This trellis is British = This will work lads.
It seems that the trellis is useless against Javelin and NLAW and as you suggested; “it’s alright guys, your safe now” … morale booster!
The javelin is reported to have a 93% kill rate against the T72 and it’s ‘reactive armor’. I would not want to be a Russian tanker.
Yes the advantage seems to have shifted to the defender. Much of Russia’s conventional forces are little more than scrap metal. Everything evolves though and the advantage will return to those that evolve fastest.
The person who wrote that piece of garbage in the Telegraph, only saw the picture from one perspective, based on the evidence of Russian designed tanks and their apparently poor performance in Ukraine. It fails to take into account the way Western tanks are designed and operated compared to Russian, i.e. spaced composite armour versus thinner armour protected by explosive reactive armour (ERA). Working in close coordination with infantry, who protect the tank’s flanks specifically against light infantry ambushes with shoulder launched anti tank weapons. Whereas Russia, don’t have infantry in close support probably due to the tank’s ERA. At… Read more »
Didn’t a few Bradleys with TOW destroy a large number of T72’s in the gulf war? I think the writing was on the wall from that point.
I think I remember reading a statement from a US official a few days ago which stated that Russia has committed 100% of the forces it initially positioned around Ukraine’s borders at the start of the invasion, and that they remained ~90% combat effective, presumably implying the Russians have lost about 10% of their deployed forces thus far.
The quote I heard at the end of last week was that both Ukraine and Russia are losing 8% to 10% of their forces each week. The war hasn’t been going long so difficult to say if that’s going to be typical or not.
I recall worse case projections for UK loses in Desert Storm was something like 11% when they put into the mix that chemical weapons were expected, and the fight would basically be soviet tactics carried out by highly equipped Iraqi forces. The coalition was expected to win, and units still effective, but the attacker is always likely to take heavy casualties. The motivation fo So 10% as an average means they are still a powerfull force. Recovery will be key. Some Russian units will have been hammered and no longer combat effective, possibly now merged with other units or effectively… Read more »
It is “lose” not “loose”.
I agree.
My spell checker auto corrects to create jumbles of nonsense.
I sincerely hope your right M.S. As I said, I just hope the Ukraine doesn’t loose the peace when it comes.
“I am ever hopeful that Ukraine can give enough of a bloody nose to stop Russia or that the Russian forces can be wiped out completely. That is a massive difficult task. Perhaps not completely wiped out say if Russia lost 3/4 of there armor and half there troops would they then withdraw?” As much as anything it will be the body bags going home that will have an influence. Even in a country like Russia people will be able to talk and I’m sure there will be a rumour mill. While its hard to believe that this is happening… Read more »
A unit or formation is Combat Ineffective if it loses 30% of its manpower and materiel.
Go to the Mail online and read the comments section on the PoW Task Force article. I need some of you to share my pain..
I would do but then my browser history would indelibly be stained with MOL…
The article isn’t too bad actually. It is mostly a cut and paste of what George has put up and NATO/MOD press releases. It doesn’t contain the usual anti facts.
The comments section is always a joke but that is The Daily Fail for you. Even there 50% of the comments were vaguely on point: no point in complaining that it is not as on point as on a specialist site such as this.
I couldn’t possibly read anything that’s in that paper. Their aren’t many papers I have much confidence in. Especially in the day of instant searching at your finger tips. You can find out nearly anything and then check it matches from other sources.
The articles in the papers are of course just one persons opinion and perhaps the editor providing oversight.
Still they do provide a source of information to some people.
Thanks for comments gents. I am such a hypocrite. The Mail has a strange allure-it’s free which isa big deal for us here in SA with our junk currency and has some good articles not to mention easy on the eye ladies, but their Journalists have minimal knowledge on subject and really poor language skills. The comments section shows just how widespread ignorance on our favourite subject is and how lucky we are to have access to UKDJ(thanks George)- for example did you know PoW has no aircraft and is sinking from incurable leaks? I am going to stop going… Read more »
The calibre of the Russian military was brought into question when they went into Chechnya in 1994 and quite literally they got their arses handed to them. Now if that had been the West, it would have been lessons learned ,(with a number of command staff kicked into touch) which everybody presumed was the case when they went back for a second go in 1999 and simply raised the capital to the ground from a distance . Questions were again raised when they went into Georgia in 2008 and whilst they did defeat the Georgian forces in a war Moscow… Read more »
The worry in some regards is that HM Treasury will question why we need to be so concerned with defence spending when one of the major threats we keep talking about can be so frustrated with simple, (comparatively) cheap infantry anti tank and air defence weapons. Maybe all the other threats are overrated as well and perhaps the money could be spent on more urgent matters instead.
The MoD team had better be getting ready to explain why this action doesn’t mean that there aren’t really any serious threats we should be planning for.
Russia, even if it disposes of Putin, might take a hard look at itself & the campaign in Ukraine & this time learn from its mistakes & overhaul its military. It may not happen, but it’s the logical thing to do. China & anyone else may up their games too in the light of the war in Ukraine, so it’s no time for complacency. Too early to claim victory for Ukraine too. The coming of spring & summer plus a dynamic change in leadership could change the course of the war. It ain’t over until it’s over & we should… Read more »
I suppose they need to understand the equation.
Hand carried anti-tank weapons and an obliterated city.
Or high end systems to keep the city and the people but obliterate the enemy.
Both are expensive. Which one would HMG think more politically palatable. I think whichever government proposed the former as the nation’s defence tactics would be sent packing – and rightly too in my opinion.
it does seem that way, there been a lot of talk about all the new equipment purchased, but it seems when you dig into it it is very low numbers . Items like the new secure radios being made in China !! very poor c & c and dire logistics.
Quite. I imagine even the bravest general having a hard time telling Putin his invasion idea isn’t going to work out very well. Alternatively, it may even be that said Generals have an eye on power themselves and are quite happy to let Putin screw up so that they can justify a move against him themselves.
Has been pointed out the similarity to Stalin in that regard. When Zhukov dared warn him about the impending German invasion he was ignored and sidelined, then when it proved correct he was called back succeeded in blunting a German advance in the north giving them time to reorganise but seen as, by that success, too powerful and sidelined yet again with Stalin taking control and totally failing in his tactics. Only in desperation with Moscow about to fall did Zhukov finally take full tactical control and the tide turned. But Stalin only saw him as a greater threat with… Read more »
Something that keeps hitting me is how similar the bulk of the Russian forces look now to an old computer game I used to play dating back to the late 80s.
Yes, upgrades have been made, but the basic chassis of the vehicles in use are no different to the 80s.
I guess it proves that upgrades only compensate for old equipment up to a certain point when you see diminishing returns. Something the west should take note of.
You can go back further than the 80’s to the 60’s and 70’s for base practically all of their armour.
Even their air force is getting long in the tooth now with actual modern types being very limited.
Great post. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle meaning they are not as capable as what western analyst thought they were before the invasion and they are not as bad as what they have been since. In a conventional clash with NATO or in particular the US I do think their tactics would have been different but in the end it would end up being complete annihilation of the Russian conventional military.
Or maybes the West have bigged up the Russian Bear to keep a narrative running for ever increasing prices of newer arms to supply to governments and to feed populations the propaganda war that we must hate Russia. Who knows.
They really didnt need the propaganda for decades as after this everyone will now hate Russia regardless!
Good insights. I was shocked to discover that the biggest problem for the Germans on the ground was that half their tank losses was through unreliability. Once they came under pressure, the simple fact was that they did not have the capacity to keep their tanks running. The T34 was greatly overrated and one for one totally outgunned, it just had the numbers while the Germans got involved in expensive time consuming complexity. German engineering in that period has been vastly overrated, once they couldn’t train quality pilots half their loses with Bf109s were also through accidents as it was… Read more »
Russia defeated Germany and the axis powers through sheer brute force. Massed artillery and rocket launchers. Huge numbers of KV, IS series heavy tanks and T34s. 84,000 were produced during the course of WW2.Some 30,000 T34/85s in 1942 alone. The Russian steamroller at the time had scant regard for soldier welfare. Hence why ww2 military loses were 14 million for Russia. Their army logistics priorities were fuel, Ammunition, food,medicine in that order. Germany could not militarily win WW2 after 1941. The Brirish empire was already out producing them and had a larger reserve of military age men to call upon.… Read more »
Whilst I agree with your commentary, there are other factors for Germany’s defeat. The Lend lease contribution to Russia was sizeaeble at 17,5 million tons supplied in ww2. Consider that Russia produced 200,000 trucks in WW 2 vs the US 4 million. Whilst the T34 enjoyed the limelight, I say the US Studebaker 2,5t truck and Jeep really helped win the war in the East. Little attention is given to the inefficiencies of the Wehrmacht’s logistics shortcoming. It was under resourced and incapable of supporting the army for lengthy periods in the field. Combine this with the tyranny of distance… Read more »
Hitler was told that if he used all the tank parts produced in one month as spare parts and stopped using them to produce new tanks that month, it would hugely improve tank availability. He chose to ignore that advice. The T34 had rubbish optics/vision ports and very few had a radio fitted.
They also don’t believe in a strong SNCO cadre, everyone below officer is effectively powerless.
These problems the Russian have had military all come down to it being run by dictators since day one, it never works.
And yet again Farouk shoots and scores! Another informative and pretty much spot on post 👍
Those 2 advances from the east towards Kyiv look tailor made for ambush! Very very exposed flanks.
Indeed the fact is even in those areas that Russia nominally controls they only really control the roads as many of these ambushes demonstrate. The deeper they go the worse it gets which is why those convoys get stuck for so long the moment they break up the more vulnerable they become. They can acquire little from around them so are reliant on what they can bring in and they are very in danger of being overstretched. Clearly the Ukrainians have been trained incredibly well by the West and outside of Cities the Russians simply can’t bring them into major… Read more »
SLAVA UKRAINI!!
Reading on Twitter of rumours of UKR going over to the offensive in various areas? I hope they don’t over commit as what ever they are doing it’s working.
Yeah -Its interesting this is the first we have heard (well I have heard) of a consideration of an offensive strategy- I hope it works out.
Lets not get too far ahead of ourselves but ….IF(big if) it does start to look that way then that makes you wonder how far they could take it and how worried Russia would be.
Crimea and back home of tea & cakes anyone?
I jest of course but …many a true word and all that …one can but dream.
You let the Russian run low/out of food/diesel/munitions and have a few mechanicals and then attack the cold demoralised troops.
Makes perfect sense to me.
I doubt they will over commit. They will be ambushing detached pockets.
Still every tank that is mission killed is once less tank to worry about. Mission kill can be out of diesel and abandoned by its crew?
That column (now dispersed) NW of Khiv looks ripe for counter attack from the west. Get in amongst his logistics column, shoot them up, cut off the teeth arm battle groups from resupply and annihilate them against the very wide Dnieper River north of Khiv. The Ukrainians must have mobilised a counter attack force in western Ukraine by now…
They would have to be careful of not encountering a further counter attack on themselves from the North, Belarus has thousands of troops on the border which have not played a part, yet.
Apparently Turkey made a delivery into Poland, More TB2 drones on their way. Sound like they will come useful.
If Turkey can deliver drones to Ukraine then I really don’t see the problem with Poland supplying them with MiG29s.
Yep, I’d agree. Te drone deal was signed before Russia invaded. But Poland could sell the Mig 29s for an undisclosed fee (like a quid) 😀. Makes it a legitimate purchase.
The mig29 deal is a really bad idea. Not only would it give Putin a good excuse to go further but you will effectively ground the Polish air force at a time when you might need them. Or does anyone suggest that a Polish mig29 pilot can quickly learn how to fly an f16, one of the most sophisticated aircraft in the world. And where do these f16’s come from. Its not like the United States has spare aircraft lying around. Maybe area 51 along with the ufo’s.
Really bad idea for everyone.
US also supplying 300 small armed drones too!
Interesting footage and information coming out about a Ukrainian Marine raid on Russian airfield, destroying quite a bit of infrastructure and vehicles but not sure about airframes, any more need on that mate? If true then fair play, if true will make the average Russkie Tom look over his shoulder and realise even behind him isn’t safe!
I think that’s the 2nd attack on Kherson?
1st they claimed 30 helis, which I was an exaggeration. 2nd hit with MLRS too caused fair bit of damage, I only read of it yesterday, thought it said at least 6 Heli wrecked.
Follow Trent Telenko on Twitter, new footage of a large convoy wrecked in Kharkiv area. An early example mind.
I’m finding Drive War Zone good and several Twitter feeds. The Ukrainian farmers are busy too….😆
My worry would be where are the better units of the Russian army? I had thought before this Ukraine business that Russia was a 2 tier army. With a smaller number of better equipped, better trained units akin to a smaller European army and then a larger number of soldiers still with the old equipment left over from soviet days. Russia could never of afforded to do all the things they wish. Looks like the army suffered. The Russians want a large modern nuclear force. (Very expensive). Nuclear submarine force of attack and ballistic missile subs(very expensive), large normal navy,… Read more »
From what I read they used their best forces in the initial blitzkrieg and when that failed to gain the expected capitulation they have become increasing reliant on lesser units and conscripts who I suspect were originally planned to be occupation troops if used at all of a compliant Ukraine. Back to plan A now of simply levelling Cities but the problem is levelling Kiev would be like us levelling Edinburgh when a third of your army are or have relations who are Scots. A very dangerous even self destructive a tactic.
Putin will be prepared to level other cities but I believe he is not prepared to level Kyiv. It is the centre of Slavic Christian history, more significant in many ways than Moscow. He would lose the support of Archbishop Kyrill, which is essential to his justification of the invasion. This is his achilles heel and has been since the walk in and replace Zelensky plan A failed.
People of sound mind would not do such a thing. Putin is not of sound mind!
I suspect the Russians will want to keep a few good units in Siberia to defend against their best friend China.
They need to, whether Poo tin realises it is questionable as they seem to be drawing yet more formations from the east (if Ukrainian media is to be believed). However it probably is unlikely Xi will invade Russia, it would be a move hard to justify to his masses as they have been told what good friends Russia is and how justified their actions in Ukraine are.
Well China may not go into Russia itself, but it might go into Mongolia or the ‘stans while Russia’s military is bogged down in Ukraine.
Poo tin 😂 I like that! may I use it in future posts and modify it a little to poop tin? Cheers mate 😂
Poo tin – code name “Chamberpot”
I’ll get my coat………
By all means. Sorry so late replying, you got lost in the spam file!
Russia is obviously not owning up to their casualty statistics for propaganda reasons. However, because the Russian military performance has been so shambolic, I bet the Russians don’t actually know how many people they’ve lost because the casualty return system has broken down. I bet the field crematoria are very busy and many soldiers will simply disappear without explanation.
Many Ukrainians have reported that their Russian friends and relatives simply don’t believe there is any war, it’s utterly maddening to hear, makes me feel extremely sympathetic to the younger generations of Russians who actually are capable of independent thought.
I was thinking that this older Russian generation who are only getting news from state media must also be the people who lived in the times of the Soviet Union. You would think that their experience of Soviet news channels would give them a healthy scepticism of current state sanctioned news. I think they must be willfully ignorant.
Russia is a very big country. If you don’t live near the borders, your access to other forms of media is limited. If you only speak Russian, then you need a source in Russian. If you don’t have internet & something to use it on then where do you go? The government can also control internet access such that you cannot access sites not in Russia if it wants to. It’s not hard. Soviet era people also remember the state security system. Too much curiosity was not always appreciated. Siberia is a real place.
Sadly so.
It seems the Russians can’t even contact some Divisions on secure lines which is how the Ukrainians heard they had killed a General when it was reported back to Russia by an insecure phone line. Shows how bad communications are and interesting to speculate as to quite why.
Some poor Russians have been cremated in their tanks, when Ukrainian fire set off their onboard charges & turned those tanks into blast furnaces. I want Putin to lose, but I still feel sorry for the poorly trained Russian conscripts.
Yes indeed. War makes victims, generally those who are in power and start them don’t suffer.
Theyve even reportedly started burning the bodies of LHR/DHR troops with Russian passports.
Not to discredit Ukraine’s courage and resistance against the Russian forces. But I find Russia’s performance up to this point very perplexing. If this was a chess game, then they have sent forward all their pawns, keeping the key pieces back in reserve. But why? I can understand their reasoning for keeping their elite units in Belarus facing Poland. As this causes anxiety for NATO. Further, the Russians have now lost 4 key Generals, that had experience in the war in Chechnya and also fighting in Syria. How has it got so bad that they have had to go to… Read more »
I have speculated from the beginning that much of Russia’s professional troops are probably being held back to counter any potential NATO incursion. I still think that is the case.
My thoughts exactly too. Putin and the Kremlin suffer from paranoia and I suspect are holding back elite troops and much of the air force due to a feared NATO attack.
We can help the Ukrainians by holding massive military drills near their border (Japan/US/Canada in the far east and Europe/US in the West). I suspect he won’t then feel able to reinforce Ukraine.
Sending a bloody great armada in to the Northern Seas probably puts the frighteners on Putin somewhat.
That armada have no teeth. Only the USN AB destroyer there have some sort of offensive capability.
Alex out of interest which Western European country are you from? I did ask before so we could discuss our relevant countries defence efforts, thanks.
Funny that Mate. I was thinking of asking him the same question. I have note his belittling tone in his responses to other folks comments, but very little detail in his replies when pressed.
Just does a casper the ghost when gets asked a question!
What detail you want? War is intermittent managed chaos unless you have overwhelming supremacy or manage to induce a tipping point situation. So you will usually have have heavy losses in peer to peer situation. Note that i call peer to peer with many countries, for example i say that UK would be almost impossible to defeat on land a country like Greece. I see a lot of myths here in comments, like if you can have a power point war. All well programed, recon will show all enemies that will be destroyed at distance without causalities to your side… Read more »
I don’t know, I believe the Challenger 2 still has the operational edge over the T90. The Chally uses spaced composite passive armour, whilst T90 relies on explosive reactive armour (ERA). ERA does mean the tank can be lighter and more mobile. But it also means that infantry cannot operate close to it, in fear of being caught by the blast and shrapnel when ERA is activated. Having infantry supporting the tank helps to prevent light infantry ambushes using shoulder launched anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). The Chally still has the better optics for 1500m plus engagements. The Challenger has better… Read more »
I was watching a video yesterday of a T80 (i think) receiving an NLAW. What my untrained eye caught was a sudden flash just before the NLAW did its thing. Looked to me like ERA achieved nothing and I suspect that’s down to the NLAW not being a penetrator round. Am I right?
If it had rectangular looking bricks down the sides, it’s likely to be ERA. There have been some tanks seen with what looks like sand bags on the sides. These were thought to be filled with plastic explosive, but some of them have been found to be filled with sand. Which will do bugger all against a shaped charge warhead. The NLAW uses a combined effects fragmentary and single shaped charge warhead. It is activated by one of two fuses, either an impact or proximity fuse. The proximity is used for the top attack mode. Which is where the missile… Read more »
DavyB
Technical question re C2 firing ATGM through the main gun. Could the Ukraine designed missile that has had further work done on it by CMI, work? I note that they (CMI) have a working 105 version that I assume is operating out of a rifled 105 barrel. Is it simply not worth it as C3 will not be rifled going forward or is it considered not worth it even then?
To be honest I didn’t realize Cockerill had developed one. It makes sense for the 105mm gun, as it won’t have the oomph to penetrate the frontal armour of a modern MBT. Though it’s 550mm penetration is still not enough against something like a Abrams. T72s using ERA should not be a problem. A 120mm version would I think be beneficial, if it can also target helicopters. I know the Israeli Merkava carry 2 to 3 LAHATs as standard. For the Chally 2 it all depends on the length of the missile. Can the loader manoeuvre it from where it’s… Read more »
Hi Alex and thank you for the detailed reply. I agree with your point on the vulnerability of the Russian column. I recall US supply columns coming under attack from Iraqi forces in gulf war 2. I don’t have any experience with computer wargaming so you’ll excuse my ignorance on the subject. I base my views on my limited operational military experience (about 4 years). What I observe is a Russian army poorly co-ordinated which suggests the planning and appraisal of the Ukraine response was very poor. As for the execution, well that’s self evident. I stand by my earlier… Read more »
Portugal
Cheers mate! Portugal lovely place, small military but making an effort at being more effective.
We are in deep problems, starting with demography.
That would be amusing to watch…
Yes, I think this is very much the case.
Any evidence? It’s reported a number of their best tanks have been taken out, a dozen or so confirmed via satellite evidence, so unlikely these would be used by secondary units while in the initial days paratroopers were extensively used. I don’t buy the argument that the best units are held back in numbers to resist a possible NATO incursion into Belarus they know full well that isn’t going to happen and equally know that there would have to be at least 5 times the forces on those borders to even make it feasible. Simple fact is their expected scenario… Read more »
Social media says differently! The Russians have been using variations of T72s, T80s and early T90As in Ukraine. So far we haven’t seen them using the newer T90M or the T90MS. You can tell the difference as they have different turrets, mounting the newer higher operating pressure 2A46M-4 gun. We definitely know they have these tanks as they have been spotted in large number during parades and exercises. There are significant number of twitter feeds that shows large numbers of Russian T90s camped in Belarus. The question remains – why? We know the Russian Air Force (RuAF) has stocks of… Read more »
“But it is their Air Force’s performance or lack thereof, that has confused me the most. Where are they? ……..Air Force are supposed to be the flying artillery for the ground units, coordinated by forward air controllers”
So my question is; if you are not using PGMs are you vulnerable to Stingers?
At low level yes. But the idea is that you are supposed to clear the area of the fixed and mobile short, medium and long range air defences as a priority. Which then allows you to attack from above the MANPAD engagement zone. Even when using dumb munitions from height in a semi-diving attack you can still get reasonably accuracy.
At the moment the Russian Air Force are performing low level attacks and are therefore vulnerable to MANPADS, as has been witnessed on social media etc
So it looks as though clearing the area of AA is easier said than done. If they don’t switch on their radar how do you know where they are? Or were? Or the Russian pilots are just no good at accurate bombing. I believe that for cultural reasons pilots are likely told not to hit significant religious buildings in Kyiv; the centre of Slavic Christian history ….to Orthodox Russians Kyiv is what Rome is to Catholics. Putin will be prepared to turn other cities into Aleppos but not Kyiv.
If NATO were involved in the conflict, suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) would have been the priority mission on the first days of the conflict. As by suppressing their air defences allows other assets (reconnaissance, transport aircraft etc) to be used with less fear of being intercepted. “If they don’t switch on their radar how do you know where they are?” This is a two-way door. For detection of aircraft greater than 25km from the ground, you really need to use radar. Depending on the weather etc, infrared and then optical devices can be used to scan the sky… Read more »
Excellent technical briefing. Thx. I feel like I should be sitting an end of term exam 😄
Ukraine also has s300 systems of their own which they’ve been relocating to avoid long range missile strikes. They’ve been credited with downing multiple aircraft. So it’s not just stingers.
Yes, apparently they have or had a lot of these systems and distributed them cleverly before the invasion. I think I heard Biden say something like the US will ‘identify and provide’ long range AA missile systems. Be interested to know more about that.
You would think that the Russians would know how to defend against their own systems.
I think the opposite is true. You put most of your thought into how to defeat the opposition (NATO) systems you expect to be facing. You don’t normally expect to go to war with yourself or a close ally.
The other problem for the Russians is the Ukraine military know all about the Russian military but has also in recent times received considerable NATO training (& now weapons as well). So the reverse is not quite as true.
Yes, the Ukrainians have put up a valiant effort in resisting Russia, the problem is everyday Ukrainian infrastructure is being destroyed, while Russia is not getting any damage to its Infrastructure, if the conflict becomes a long war of attrition this may become a deciding factor.
Russia is being hit itself by economic sanctions instead, with shop shelfs empty!
After our great economic resissons, a considerable number of business premises in Northern cities were left empty and derelict for some time, mind you, the East End of London was run down in the mid 1980’s.
They might as well been bombed out!
An example of economic damage.
We should add to the pressure by sending NATO forces, suitable for an intervention, to South East Poland, Eastern Slovakia & North East Romania. We would still be on NATO soil, but a force that size might nudge Putin into offering a decent deal to Ukraine.
He would use it as a propaganda tool in Russia itself to justify when he attacked Ukraine in ‘self defense’ now other people are about to ‘attack’ Russia.
The Russians have made an art of taking fine Western words & twisting them to mean the opposite. Don’t play that game. Ignore their spin. Do what is right.
We would be playing the game by moving forces in that way, just plays straight into his narrative.
I see from the Turkish phone call yesterday Putin’s demands are on the sensible ish side to broker a peace deal.
You have to wonder why Russia chose early spring to invade. It’s and odd decision, sort of “let’s pick the timeframe most likely to cause our army to be bogged down in mud and be limited to roads as a way to advance at pace”. I do wonder if Putin thought the west would send in some ground forces. As western armour is heavier and not as well designed for Eastern European mud, maybe he though the Russian Military could overcome the mobility issues while giving the west one more headache ( it’s the only thing I can think of… Read more »
SEAD missions require huge levels of co-ordination of large numbers of aircraft. The Russians don’t seem to train for that. Limited flight hours etc. Mostly they operate in 1’s and 2’s which makes SEAD impossible. The UKR are moving their mobile launchers about and so the Russians cannot operate at high altitude which is essential for air domination. They are clearly not willing to take the losses of aircraft required to complete the SEAD mission and until they do they are going to find life in Ukraine hard. I have 2 concerns moving forwards. 1st is that the ground will… Read more »
I agree, with the concern around the improving conditions, although my understanding is that you don’t see an improvement until early May.
At that point numbers and mass of armour may be more of a problem for Ukraine.
It’s a very good point about the learning curve armies do get better and their is no real living memory understand of large scale European warfare and what all the mud, Green cover, trees, rivers, modern concrete urban sprawl and bad bridges really means.
I’m not convinced they are not stupid or will learn lessons. Russians themselves can be fantastically intelligent but their power structures seem to promote the worst. Their best and brightest just leave.
Putin dare not upset China, so he had to wait until the Olympics were over. He then wanted to act while Europe was still in Winter & needed Russian Gas. If he had his 3 day victory, he might have got away with it.
Very good point on the gas and winter, he may have considered that as a control method for any Western European/EU response.
The scary thing is that Putin is slowly winning. Yes, the Ukrainians are defending their country well, but the Russians are making gains. One analyst says Kiev could fall in 3 weeks. Russia would take huge losses to do it, but would those losses bother Putin? Will the West stand by while there is huge loss of life, both Ukrainian & young Russian conscript? Recent TV footage on the internet of Biden making blunder after blunder on stage with the cameras rolling. In the Cuba crisis, the West was led by JFK. Biden, sadly is not up to it. Neither… Read more »
To take Kiev without levelling the place I think it would take Russia months, its not the biggest of cities granted but if they need to take it intact doing door to door urban warfare is going to take a very very long time.
They are struggling to beat the Ukrainians on open ground and in urban areas they have levelled to the ground, if they leave Kiev reasonably intact its a long long road ahead.
He figured European gas reserves would be at lowest giving him max leverage.
I fear that if it stalls too much for the Russians they may decide to use chemical or tactical nuclear weapons to win decisively.
This is why the West needs to make a joint statement saying if Putin uses WMD, then all NATOs self imposed restraints may be dropped. If we say it, we have to mean it.
I agree, this whole will only defend NATO borders has essentially given Putin a do what he likes card in non NATO countries. It was a stupid set of statements that did not need to be said.
They should have keep strategic ambiguity on any NATO actions.
Nato’s entire philosophy however is to protect its members only, if Russia does not attack a Nato member then it wont get involved.
Its more an area for the UN to get involved in and vote to intervene and put peacekeepers on the ground before the possibility of such attacks happen.
I think if he does go down the chemical/biological or small tactical nuclear route the UN condemnation would be fairly unanimous and even China would struggle to abstain.
I really can’t think of what kind of idiot thought you could take and hold a country than large with 150,000 troops. Especially when you troops are barley trained conscripts reduced to begging for food.
Martin that is truly the worrying thing because it seems that Putin isn’t acting rationally. If he makes mistakes on this scale he could easily make another one that was even more serious.
Didn
t we run the Empire with only 200,000......and the Royal Navy ?Thats a question not a statement !
Yes but the British empire was a trading empire. We subjegated a country. Posted a governor. Raised colonial armies to garrison and held the British army in reserve to crush any uprising and the RN with its 2 power rule to ensure no competing world power could disrupt the key maritime trade. This worked for a reasonable period of time. Putin tried to invade a huge country of 40+ million people with 165,000 troops committed. 2/3rds of his available deployable army. Utter folly. No plan B for what to do if those 40 million Ukranians dont welcome them with open… Read more »
Yes but it was an empire largely built on implied consent of local population rather than occupation.that’s why we had to pull out of USA. No money in occupation.
You don’t need many soldiers to run an empire when your the only industrialised country on the planet. Different story when everyone else industrialised as well.
Yes, but on the most part; the people we ruled had sharp sticks and was in the unfortunate position of sitting on diamonds, gold or oil.
Martin, I’m not sure its idiotic as such. I’ve said it before as its a bit of ‘thing’ of mine but despots of any stripe don’t seem to be open any kind of questioning of their abilities or ideas. Putin, who likes to sell himself as a ‘strongman’ will have believed a lot of his own bullshit (we all do as humans, we have a view of ourselves) and without anyone to tell him he’s being a prick (like a mate down the pub would/could do) it strikes me that he’s made a few fundamental mistakes. I can understand two… Read more »
It depends what he thought would achieve in a short blitz style war. I think we can all see he didnt expect this to last this long and we all know whatever his main aim was he hasnt achieved it. If he wanted to encircle a few cities and cut them off and take over Kiev quickly on paper he should have had enough forces for the job. Its not worked out and now hes resulted to shelling the surrounded cities in a blunt tactic to try get the current government to give him what he wants. Only a few… Read more »
I read an article that says Putin don’t think about wars but in terms of about special operations and coup de main. .
Either you like it or not Putin has got himself in a very messy war Alexski.
A couple of surprises for me is the Russians lack of AR optics for its regulars units and also the fact they have been using VDV units with its light tracked APC to strong point a attack with dire results, it seems the Russian high rankers have lost total confidents in its regular guard units .
After the initial shock and calls for defence spending to increase, I wonder if the shambolic nature of Russia’s war has shown the powers that be that it isn’t necessary. The Russians have after all shown themselves to be pretty awful on all counts. NATO would make mincemeat out of them in conventional warfare.
I’m still hoping for a bit of an increase though.
It is necessary because Russia isnt the real number 1 threat. That would be China. Who are sat on the sidelines. Playing both sides off against each other and trying to learn.
The Chinese militarily are a much greater conventional warfare threat than Putin’s shambolic military.
I agree but do you think our politicians and the Treasury will? I have no faith that they will do anything to backup the words.
Not to Europe they’re not and I can’t see how they ever would be?
They are a geopolitical threat James. Because if they become the hegemonic power, we will need to follow their rules for their world.
China is not going to invade Western Europe, but it could control our banking systems, access to resources and finished products. The British empire did not invade many nations, but it still controlled a global empire and for 100 years every other nation followed Britain’s rules on market access.
The UK still needs a high end SAM to resist nuclear blackmail.
Yup at least we need more asters NG on the T45s and for them to be prepositioned around the country just in case (some defence is better than none). Also more Sky Sabre’s at military sites as well that the pitiful number we have at the moment.
Plus CAMM-ER for SkySabre.
Potentially they should also look at Sky Sabre armed with Aster 30NG.
Or SAMP-T sitting alongside Sky Sabre.
Yes and the ground based Aster NG/CAMM inventory can be shared with the Navy and v/v. Mixed CAMM/CAMM-ER launchers too! The same on the T26/31/32/45s.
Hope some MOD bods actually read this website and get some good ideas from all the contributors here!
The only way to resist nuclear blackmail is to have a strategic deterrent and convince your enemy you are willing to burn with them. ABM systems do not protect a nations from nuclear blackmail via strategic threats, they are there to defend Against limited Tactical threats. There is no way to develop a system to protect against a strategic threat, as it takes a lot more effort to defend against ICBMs that it does to launch them. Because: 1)ABM systems are also Only able to protect specific geographically areas so you need lots of the. 2) each ICBM can launch… Read more »
Against a full nuclear exchange you are right. However, a nuclear blackmail threat to use a small tactical nuke on say London, thinking the UK would not use a boatful of Trident in return (mistake), could be countered by a high end SAM that can deal with a single Iskander or similar missile.
Hi agreed it’s got uses for a single tactical weapon, the problem is he would not use a small tactical nuc on London. If he was going for a one off strike he would use a single SS18 ICBM ( 10 warheads, 30-40 penetration aids), as we could not stop that. And I do think we need a ballistic missile defence anyway as Russia has a lot of conventional warhead Medium and intermedia range ballistic missiles that would be used to strike at U.K. targets and these are all single warhead types. So we need a good short to intermediate… Read more »
Agreed, have a high end SAM to protect against a single missile used as blackmail, but have a boatload of Trident to deter against anything more.
The other point with nuclear armed ICBM’s is they don’t actually need to hit their target. Near enough is good enough. If the wind is blowing the wrong way, you don’t even need to hit UK to effectively take out London.
Totally agree! What if Putin had taken Ukraine in a week. I suspect we would definitely need a big increase. If Putin decides to attack NATO, and judging by their performance in Ukraine, then I can’t imagine there would be anything left of Russias conventional forces. Putin has been “bigging-up” his conventional forces for two decades and up to four weeks ago most world countries were nervous about the prospect of a conflict with Russias military. Putin now has shown the world that they have nothing to fear. I suspect that our NATO generals are sat round a coffee table… Read more »
UK Mod is saying that Russia can only effectively fight for another 2 more weeks and may become increasingly desperate. I guess this is why they’ve gone cap in hand for military hardware.
Footage from the Russian side, of temporary metal fuel pipes being laid on Ukrainian farmland. When it is up & pumping, the Russians may have solved their fuel shortage problem. I hope the Ukrainians sabotage it.
Give Ukrainian farmers have been towing away Russian army kit. I would think an agricultural tractor ,excavator and chains would suffice for civilians to remove sections.
The war of the tractors continues. Russian soldiers have been stealing Ukrainian farm machinery to lay these fuel pipes. Ukrainian farmers have been stealing it back.
New UK arms delivery ready to be shipped to Ukraine….
Lovely & Yellow, but can we paint them Blue & Yellow?
You do realise that the MoD have spent 50 million on consultants to come up with this camouflage colour scheme.
🤣🤣🤣
The difference between them and Ajax is they are about 4 billion cheaper and don’t put the drivers on long term sick leave after an hour. That and they actually get delivered within a decade.
How will they be able to secure this pipeline? It isn’t going through a friendly country is it? The opportunity to attack the pipeline and pumping stations will be too good to resist! Think of the nice juicy target at the end of the line all those tankers lining up to load! Again to tempting to ignore.
Really?
Hmm.
All the news seems to be extremely partial, nobody questioning that yet i see.
Anyone going to cover how Ukraine launched a bombing of a separatist region that contained zero Russian troops?
That Russia has plenty of fuel, food and moral?
Interesting times
Andrew wrote:
Would you care to elaborate? The vagueness of your post doesn’t give much to go on.
Yes, I would to know what this supposed separatist region is considering Crimea, Luhansk and Donestk are full of Russian troops.
No they’re not.
Yes, they are, other than Belarus, where do you think they are invading from? Romania?
Of course, but isn’t it funny how it’s me informing you and not our much ‘lauded’ biased msm?
Cluster bomb attack in the centre of Donesk, no troops, but the aftermath captured an American journalist.
Have a look up yourself.
War crimes aren’t just for Putin you do realise that through the
‘fog of war’ and the truth.
Cheers
Andrew wrote: Cluster bomb attack in the centre of Donesk, no troops, but the aftermath captured an American journalist. It wasn’t a cluster bomb attack, it was the remnants of a Ukrainian Tochka-U missile which the S300 missile systems the Russians deployed to the area to stop the Ukrainians hitting Millerovo airbase (like they did on the 25th of Feb) just across the border knocked out and landed in Donesk, I quote from today’s Guardian which reported on said story : “”Pro-Russian separatists, who have controlled the city since 2014, had earlier said fragments from a rocket they shot down… Read more »
The fog of war again i see.
If you are using the Guardian as your bastion of knowledge and completely ignoring witness accounts from peoples and of journalists on the ground who actually saw what happened then good for you, you keep going.
Funny how exact the ‘fragments’ were and just how explosive they could be right?
Jesus🤦🏻♀️
Farouk has provided evidence of the reporting. you keep saying eyewitness and journalists on the ground. how are you commenting with these journalist or eyewitness and what evidence can you provide. To back up your stories. If there are no Russians in the Ukraine in the east or the south and north of the country, who is the invading force who is bombing towns and cities which are not military targets.
Andrew wrote:
“”If you are using the Guardian as your bastion of knowledge and completely ignoring witness accounts from peoples and of journalists on the ground who actually saw what happened then good for you, you keep going.””
Andrew thank you for your reply, may I point you to this statement of yours:
To that end please allow me to inform you:
I’ve read the book, got the t-shirt and even met the cast.as have many other posters on this site.
But of course you have, everyone online is a C19 expert and of course the knowledge on Ukraine, right? I would love to hear your account of how the Ukrainian forces treated you since the start if this campaign. My point was actual accounts from actual people who went there. Much coverage? And always fantastic to hear your credentials, well done. Not all of us need to be former military personnel to read, use our eyes and ears and to be impartial. Not as clean cut as some imply. Propaganda is specifically designed to ensnare, to dupe, on both sides… Read more »
Wonder how many are typing on this account to keep up with the response your getting? I do notice some varying grammar and pronunciation methods in various replies!
farouk…a Guardian reader!!!
Lol. Not in a million years.
Daniele wrote;
Yup, I read the guardian, as I do the times, telegraph. I was taught at an early age to digest everything I could lay my hands on and arrive at my own conclusion.
Hilarious mate aren’t they, so obvious a newly logged in troll but do you think they don’t think we can see it? Still, they are amusing but do sully the site with unnecessary chuff!
The fog of trolling Hilarious no one uses the term fog of war! Fucking hilarious please do keep it up, I hear the cathedral spire in Salisbury is nice this time of yesr!
It is pertinent to this thread.
I guess you have never heard of Carl von Clausewitz.
I can only assume you are not a fan of history …
Says it all i guess
Keep at it trollskie, those potatoes won’t earn themselves! Initially you trolls are amusing, then sadly ever so boring! But anyway can you condemn Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
As i thought, not a clue!
Cheers buddy.
Like I said any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine? This is going to be fun!
Now i’m sure within 24 hours we will see the same picture with a Ukrainian flag on the side and a swastika along with the words “please let me join NATO”. And maybe some Putin trolls turn-up here to tell us about it.
Always makes me laugh when people are so ashamed of who they are they have to adopt an anglo-saxon name.
Yep, and within 24hrs ‘that Russian’ tank that ran over a Ukraine car was … Ukrainian.
Thank you for proving my point, propaganda is everywhere!
Cheers
Oh dear oh dear!
Nope. As it’s companion APC was getting shot up next door and the 3 dismounts shot dead by surrounding National Guard, which was filmed from another position in those flats.
The incident looked like an accident, the driver was distracted by the ambush of the other vehicle and lost control.
If he was Ukrainian how come he was not also shooting at the other vehicle? He drove on and the others died. I guess they were motorized elements of Spetznatz in the initial race for the capital alongside the air assault on Hostomel, both of which failed.
You’re just repeating what the Russian ambassador said on the news two days ago. The amount of BS he came out with! It’s the one where the reporter asked him when he was going to stop this barbaric war!
He was sweating profusely, like a child who knows he is lying and knows everyone else knows he is lying but carries on lying anyway wishing he was locked in an anechoic chamber by himself!
😂😂😂👍!
Oh dear more rather bad trolling! So obvious and so sad!
Yes Andrew really. The proof is in the simple fact that if the Russians were doing well they would have already won. They aren’t. In fact officials at the Russian MOD have described the whole operation as a complete cluster.
You believed the msm that Russias 40 mile convoy had somehow ran out of fuel and food. There are accounts of western soldiers explaining that they went to Ukraine, were given nothing, told to ho to the front line and fight. When they refused they were told they would be shot in the back. Some had to pretend to be charity workers. Others had their passports taken off of them at the border and told to go back and fight. Any news coverage of this? Or how about where is all the fighting aid money going? Why is it me… Read more »
You’ve watched one video of the bogaloo boy 🤣🤣 give it a rest.
Nope, have read the words of UK former soldiers, they are far more valid than yours.
They have explained what ACTUALLY happens over there, can you?
Of course you cannot.
Back to COD for you then i guess…
🤦🏻♀️
Your literally quoting verbatim the video that American posted 🤣🤣
One source, there are others, lots, but i guess you do not like to use what sits between the ears and research.
Easier to tik tok your way through this right?
🤦🏻♀️
Ha ha ha keep going son, your efforts keep us amused (well for a short time anyway) then it will time for a new avatar yes?
Andrew or Andrei?
Probably because you have been told too comrade🙄
if you can share where this ‘information’ is coming from please.
Ivan all the access you got is Russian state media which is not mainstream media because its state propaganda , I’d advice you to get a VPN go on twitter and you will see the carnage given to a very badly run Russian military lol.
Andrew wrote: You believed the msm that Russias 40 mile convoy had somehow ran out of fuel and food. I don’t have to as plenty of pictures have been uploaded onto social media showing numerous resupply convoys destroyed. It appears the Ukrainians took a leaf out of the US armies concept of Army 86 which was promoted by General Starry in 1978. Taking note of new weapons systems coming on line in the near future. M1 A10 AH64 MRLS Cruise missiles He proposed that instead of fighting toe to toe with huge Russian armoured divisions, that they instead target the second and third… Read more »
Yes because social media is always accurate right? Remember that Russian tank that ran over a defenceless Ukrainian car? That didn’t age well now did it? Or how about the ‘Ghost of Kiev’, you fall for that one too? Maybe Snake Island telling the pesky Ruskies to ‘f off’, had did that one age? Maybe our darling msm and BBC using footage from what again to explicitly show the Russian invasionfrom the sky? Yeah, good on ya mate. That convoy sat there as an open target for how long again while our media reported they were being picked off, hit… Read more »
Yes you’ve proved that failing in critical thought perfectly
Yes, stating facts are a ‘failing’ right?
Astonishing leap.
Cheers buddy, here, have a badge ….
Using buddy a lot, are you American then Andrew? Learnt American English or a US keyboard translation?
O.K., I replied to a post of yours where you claimed that the Russians at the FEBA are having no supply issues. Seeing as Three nations took to training the Ukrainians after 2014: US UK Canada. Its quite obvious, that one of the three taught the Ukrainian command staff how the West does C2, which it appears they took to with a relish . Instead of replying to my post, you instead go off on a tangent stating that we can’t trust either the media or videos posted on Social media. Ok, to that end if I am denied access to… Read more »
Farouk you certainly have a style of your own 😂👍!
Isn’t it funny, footage deleted, posts removed, text missing. I can only give you what is left from ‘the mail’🤦🏻♀️ regarding actual soldiers. So, if you have utter faith in the Guardian then you’ll have to accept the Mail as a credible source. The propaganda war has led the hysterical, war hungry Democrats and Republicans waiting on frothing baited breath to every word Zelenskyy says and could lead to a no fly zone. That would guarantee WW3. There simply is zero balance to this, Putin is accountable for this invasion, but our media must be accountable for this disgraceful and… Read more »
Any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
Fake news! Just because 180+ countries call it that, doesn’t mean it’s true. It’s a “special operation” involving the “de-nazification” of Ukraine.
This is because
HitlersPutins people in the east are suffering and requires liberation from their evil oppressors. This “special operation” has been in the planning for years and involves removing anyone opposed toHitlerPutin in the early stages and slowly but surely removing any democratic tendencies and replacing them withNational Socialismsocial protection including state media and control of the press.GermanyRussia needs “living room” you see!Ah now I understand comrade, I will ensure my re-education course in Siberia is booked ASP…….
Yes, please get with the program.
I’ve noticed that you have a penchant for throwing in Non sequiturs in which to try and claim the moral highground thus allowing you somehow claim that nothing anybody else states isn’t as trust worthy as what you have to say. Err sorry whilst that may work at the student union, it doesn’t work in real life. The subject matter for this thread is the slow progress Russia has made inside Ukraine, not C19, not Biden and certainly not Tony Blair. Now I fully accept that you feel it is a very important subject, it certainly may be, but just… Read more »
“Yep, no bio labs here gov’ “ Oh wait, what? …. Propaganda, the fog of war. I have made my point several times. Please stop following msm media, as ever, they gave us C19 hysteria, they now feed you an anti Russia narrative yet again. Will you ever learn? Critical thought ok. I am truly concerned by the narrative and the wholly one sided narrative on UKDJ. It is mathematically impossible for this level of near 100% pro Ukraine, anti Russia media coverage. The fact none of you question it is terrifying. The fact potato head in America is following… Read more »
Andrew you wrote a few posts past to another: “I guess you have never heard of Carl von Clausewitz. I can only assume you are not a fan of history” In which to highlight your alleged superior grasp of history and to allow you to look down your nose at him, because you had read a book. Well I read a lot and I would put money on the table a lot more than most . Kind of explains why I own two kindles Paperlights, which allows me to swap them over when the other is charging , Anyway that’s by… Read more »
I think the library at Bastion was one of the largest in Afghan. Funny how people still managed to take both hard copy and electronic books out on operations. When on a target recce for three days, I took my Kindle!
Challenge accepted. Currently reading a book on Lidar, does that count?
I think one of my favourite quotes is by the legend Mike Tyson: “Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face!”
Davy B wrote: I think one of my favourite quotes is by the legend Mike Tyson: “Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face!” So the other year I was visiting an art gallery with a friend and we broached on the subject what books we were reading. I happened to mention that I was reading a really good book on the Six day war. Out of nowhere this bloke in a summer striped jacket and a straw hat jumped into the conversation and I can only presume that due to the colour of my skin ,… Read more »
Oh dear Andrew is now angry and calling me an idiot! I don’t see where I have abused you, just calling you out as a troll. Trolls don’t like being trolled and they resort to name calling! Farouk is far more mature than I with much more patience and always makes an effort to inform and verify his position, and his posts are excellent reads. I on the other hand enjoy posting on relevant subject matters which I enjoy and have experience about, but I also love to troll trolls, as they ruin genuine conversation, and if you post garbage… Read more »
Andrew, is just an apprentice troll, If you want fun go to RT comments.
Woah there tiger. The problem is Ukraine has given pretty much free access to the press. Whereas Russia has not. The only mainstream articles are coming from channel like Russia today and R1 etc. Which are all state controlled. Most of the independent Russian news agencies have been closed down. So how is it possible to get an unbiased opinion?
Bit better on the grammar Russkie but still obviously a troll, keep working at it though or you may be conscripted to replace the rather crap “targets will fall/run/hide when hit” amateurs you have pretending to be soldiers!
Ukraine’s Special Forces have been trained by both the UK’s and US’s. Particularly in small squad tactics and disruption techniques. Furthermore, NATO regulars have been training Ukrainian regulars for the last 5 years, in similar tactics. The base at Yavoriv that got hit was used by the NATO troops for training. Guess the training has paid off!
For those not adept at the acronyms. Could you please explain the meaning of the acronym in your posts, cheers!
Ha haaaaaaaa FFS Russkie troll give it up, you are so bad your actually making me feel like donating some potatoes and some 2 stroke just to keep you going!
You picked up a history book yet?
Do you even know why Ukrainians hate Russia?
🤦🏻♀️
Ah the mask is falling! I hate marmite but I haven’t called in fucking air strikes on the factory Russkie boy!
History book youngling, history book.
Read.
Cheers buddy
Buddy again? Any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
Andrew wrote: Do you even know why Ukrainians hate Russia? Which answer would you prefer: 1) The mass deportation of Tartars from the Crimea in 1944 (around 1/4 million) 2) The Mass famine which is known as Holdoomor which blames Moscow for the deaths of Millions between 1932-33 3) Cutting off the gas in the midst of winter a number of times from 2000 onwards and demanding a price increase in which to get them turned back on 4) Annexing the crimea 5) Invading on the 24th Feb 2022 Theres loads more, but those are the most salient ones which… Read more »
Are you reading this Ireland? better you were occupied by the English! Don’t whack me! I like the Irish! it was a joke!
It’s a shame you didn’t advise Putin. Maybe he wouldn’t have invaded a sovereign country if he had of known they would be hostile to him and not throwing flowers as they liberated!
But then again it’s clear that he does not read history books.
cluster? … bomb?
No the other type of cluster.
Bombing separatists that only exist because of Russian support how about you question that…
Wow, and there we have it folks, one rule for one and rule for the other apologist. Amazing.
War crimes are war crimes.
Why have you not asked yourself WHY the separatist’s dislike Ukraine, you wonder how they have been treated over the last few years!?
You only need look at how the EU tun a blind eye to see how the Spanish brutally handle Catalans to understand any concept of this incredibly complex situation.
But hey, as long as the pesky separatist citizens are being blown up by the military it’s all good right?
🤦🏻♀️
Disgraceful
Separatists led by russian nationalists that get their weapons and bollox from Russia, they were a vocal minority largely ignored until Russia stuck its oar where it didn’t belong. Without that support they’d have no bigger voice than those that want an independent Cornwall. Piss off.
Hmmm do we have a new Russian troll in the comments? such is your warped view on reality, I’ve noticed the other Rus trolls are quiet at the moment maybe they are mute because Russia is doing so badly with this invasion lol.
Yes we do. Probably the same one just changed names. How anyone can equate what Ukraine has done to Russia with what Russia is doing to Ukraine is beyond me. Just a bot or a useless idiot.
Equate what?
How media reports a one sided narrative?
How Stalin killed 5 million Ukrainians?
How some Ukrainian’s were SS soldiers?
How Putin has underestimated Ukrainian resolve?
How NATO has gotten ever closer to Russia?
How the EU has still been buying energy from Russia @12billion € since the horrific invasion?
How Biden still buys fuel from Putin?
I can go on if you like …
This is brilliant, so much fun to see what chuff comes next!
Yes you do go on.
Totally stumped i see!
Get your history and current affairs in order then get back to me yeah!
7/10 for your effort though.
Cheers
But your struggling with your own history, getting GCSE wrong! Oh dear more mistakes like that and your trolling days will be over! Such a very basic mistake to make tut tut!
Andrew do engage brain.
Putin
You’ve just rebuilt the German Army
Lost 10,000 Russian soldiers and 300 tanks
Made the US put more troops in eastern Europe
Armed Ukraine with western weapons
Persuaded Finland & Sweden to join NATO
Brought the EU together
Got Canadian, Brit & Danish troops in the Baltic States
Destroyed the Russian economy
It’s hardly a win, win for Russia is it Vlad?
General Shoigu is going to shoot you Putin too 💥💥💥.
Bots will be made unemployed. Think about that. How much is the flat in St Petersburg?
Do engage brain, use critical thought.
This is not Russia bad, Ukraine good.
People like you gave us an Iraq War last lasted years and cost us dearly.
Cheers
Got to say he is amusing and easy to toy with! As for your post, spot on!
Leave him alone! he needs the money!
Indeed, now that McDonalds has closed down in Russia, it must be his only source of income
“How some Ukrainian’s were SS soldiers?”
On the flip side of the coin, a large number of Russians fought along side the German which shows you how bad J Stalin was.
Yes i know, Stalin was a monster.
Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of Europe, Stalin stole their wheat/produce for the cities and watched on as millions died.
They hate Russia.
But a lot here on UKDJ know nothing about history (ie Airborne).
Stalin was a truly terrible person.
GCHE….😂😂😂 you cannot make it up!
Read, educate, learn.
Good boy
GCHE…..😂😆😆😆
Keep reading, i have faith you will reach the same level as a 15 year old boy one day, if it is true you are actually reading about Nero etc of course.
READ.
Cheers buddy.
GCHE……😆
The thousands of words been posted about this war! Now out of nowhere this clown emerges🙄 doesn’t take a lot to work out who he works for does it?
You sound like a H Clinton advisor!
Bless
Hi Andrew, I see you’ve stirred up a storm. 🙂
Are you serious? Your as obvious as the useless FSB agents who did the Salisbury poisoning, leaving evidence everywhere! If your an example of Russkie skill set no wonder your getting shown your arses by the Ukrainian civvies!
We most certainly do mate, so obvious, but maybe he/she/it/bot thinks we haven’t noticed!
Desperate isn’t it lol,,, https://www.aberfoylesecurity.com/?p=4812
Thought this might interest you if you have not read it already or something in similar lines, how the VDV failed on the first day.
Thanks mate, interesting read! Disregard the fact the Russkies were overconfident and arrogant in their planning phase, it does raise the question, once again of the risks attached to any Airborne operation!
Lack of good intel for one thing .
Deffo mate and up to date int as well! Russkies have been found seriously wanting in this Ukrainian invasion debacle!
It does Airborne but I guess the British Paras wouldn’t initiate an invasion of the UK by expecting to land at London City Airport and drive around to Westminster for tea and medals? Stupid Russians.
It wouldn’t be plan A that’s for sure Rob 😂!
Quiet but still here.
Andrews avatar not working then as very obvious, any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine? Like “Andrew” it would seem hard for you to put it into words! This is hilarious, sad but hilarious! You, sorry Andrew, got the GCSE comment wrong, very obvious, I love it! Trolls getting trolled!
After Andrew is getting his arse handed to him, he stops posting and after a long absence posting, and after just a 2 hour window JoninMK turns up on a random story supporting Andrew. It’s so obvious and pathetic they must have received there training by the FSB and Russkie mil!!!
Oh dear oh dear FFS will you Russkie trolls make more of an effort! First, you only joined 5 days ago, second, your written English is littered not with spelling mistakes but grammar and pronunciation and third, your perpetuating a common troll theme of Ukraine being responsible for this somehow! Like it has been stated by other posters, the other trolls, JohninMK and Kayaker are a little quiet at the mo (and so they should be) so new avatar and account knocked up methinks! However now I have mentioned that they will reappear just as suddenly! Your trolling is as… Read more »
Picked up your history book yet?
Yes currently reading an excellent hard back on the various Romen Emperors in a chronologically organised way and the impact each had on the Empire. Thanks for your concern, anyway any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine yet?
Already have.
Have you?
Yes, Roman Emperors is a truly fascinating subject, we covered those in GCHE History, so pleased you have decided to educate yourself in later life.
Augustus and Tiberius rather interesting, but Nero has to top it all i guess. You’ll get there in the end, just keep up the reading, good lad!
Cheers buddy
So in fact you haven’t condemned Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine on here, so for the benefit of all the good posters on here who oppose megalomaniac actions, can we see a condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine? Are you allowed to condemn it? Oh and it’s GCSE mate…..oops oh dear basic mistake to make!
Bless…
So long ago for me youngling, but pleased you have decided to at least aspire to a Secondary school level of Roman History.
Good boy.
Anyway, already have, just not with you.
Have you?
Cheers buddy, keep reading.
Caught out with the GCSE, basic error troll, you must do better if you want to troll people and sites. We see no condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine? We would like to see it in writing if you are allowed?
Good boy, get to your goal, get that secondary school level history knowledge, READ!
Cheers buddy
Ah avoiding the question by repeating replies and phrases along a specific thread. So, I ask again, any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
So what came before GCSEs and was it CSEs or O levels, I can never quite remember ?
If its that long ago, then they wouldn’t have been GCSE’s either. GCSE’s didn’t start until 1986. I did the equivalent in 1973 and have no problem remembering what they were called. History was one of them, by the way.
What’s the book mate? As you know I would be interested in that.
Chronicle of the Roman Emperors by Chris Scarre! Very good book mate, excellent chronological order and while not able to go in to much depth gives a good overview of the timeframes etc, recommended mate good read and excellent reference point! 👍
Cheers mate.
Ivan you are Russian , you only know the history given to you by a long line of dictators, apart from NK you guys are the most misinformed people on earth.
I think the fact they’re bringing in troops from all over the place, calling in reinforcement from Syria and most tellingly south Ossetia means they know they’re in deep trouble. I’d imagine the use of tactical nukes has been discussed and hope someone has the courage to boot that idea straight out the fkin window.
Very well done to the Ukrainian forces for slowing up and bogging down the Russians.
Now is the time for NATO, the UN plus everyone and his dog to get involved, and finish the Russian menace once and for all.
Yeah because world war 3 is going to help everything right?
That lunacy i thought was just the ramblings of potato head Bidens war garnering Dems and blood thirsty Republicans.
You lot frighten me.
All the US is doing is supplying weapons and money to help the Ukraine maintain its freedom , Biden has said time after time the US and NATO will not enter this war. Maybe you should be more worried about potato head Putin he started it and his forces are in dire straights.
Lunacy?? The lunacy is, allowing Maniacal Dictators such as this, to trouble the entire continent of Europe in the 21st Century! Do you seriously believe any replacement to Putin’s would ever be any different??? The ‘lunacy’ is people like you, who wish to see it carry on and on. The lunacy is people like you, with no knowledge, nor understanding of the mindset of people east of Germany. You sit there, making your asinine comments, with no notion of eastern European reality! Putin started this. He is laying waste to Ukraine, and you want to carry on, as if it’s… Read more »
‘People like you’?
People who have a grasp like me want to avoid ww3.
Your utter hysteria is exactly what i am talking about.
Msm have let you down.
Have let everyone down.
People ‘like you’ could lead to Putin being backed into a corner.
Calm yourself down.
People like You are the problem now.
Go on Andrew, tell us the truth, you’d really like to see a new Soviet Union to balance the western imperialists wouldn’t you? Back to the Cold War, massive defence spending and the enslavement of half of Europe. Of course the Russians are misunderstood, they only bomb civilians when their dodgy aircraft manage to hit their targets.
What a perfectly stupid reply. 🤦🏻♀️ At least get a history book, a current affairs book, and get perspective. I remember Thatcher explaining why the UK had missiles pointing at Russia, do you? I back Trident, do you? I am appalled by Stalins brutality, are you? Calm down. Get perspective. Use critical thought. Putin is not insane, but is not stupid. His invasion is disgraceful. Nato can do nothing. But Ukraine are no angels either. Our msm have been an utter disgrace, and they could very well lead us into a nuclear war. This is not a game. Stop treating… Read more »
And your lot disappoint me. I’m liberal, favour deterrence and back internationalism. You can’t see it but Putin is using people like you to prevent anyone saying these are the rules because he is using his nuclear deterrent to threaten us and make people like you scared. Truth is we should ALL be scared but the policy of letting him get away with this and that is just making him feel that he can do this and that. If you are in favour of human rights, battling climate change and democracy this is a battle we have to win. I… Read more »
Unfortunately, Putin is a classic facist authoritarian leader. He has been using war as a Geopolitical tool of choice for many years now. The western democracies have essentially turned a blind eye to what were effectively invasions of 3 other sovereign nations and the brutal suppression of an area that wanted independence. Putin has used both chemical and radiological weapons within the boarders of other sovereign nations. There is no example in history of any such individual or nation controlled by such an individual just stopping its aggression and going, thats it I have finished now. They always push aggressively… Read more »
So where do you get your news and information from then ? Russia Today? Ukraine is perfectly entitled to defend itself and if that means hitting Russian military in any part of occupied Ukraine (Donetsk, Luhansk etc) so be it. I have seen and read no article in any mainstream media calling for a war between Russia and the West. Not one, nobody is that stupid, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot bolster defences and re affim our commitments to defend every inch of our soil. That isn’t war mongering, only the craven and self loathing would think that.… Read more »
Again asinine throw away comments. “your utter hysteria is exactly what i am talking about. Msm have let you down” Seriously? What on earth are you talking about??? So you have a ‘grasp’ to avoid ww3? Yes we know you do… it’s shut up, do nothing and continue to allow Putin to pound Ukraine to dust. So we sit by, we do nothing, and continue watching people being murdered, in the 21st Century, all because ‘people like you’ find the prospect of helping your fellow man too… ‘scary’. You sit and moralise and talk complete nonsense. while Ukrainian bodies pile… Read more »
Hi troll, JohninMK or Kayaker or a new troll working hard for his potato’s?
Not me, I’m the Ghost of MK specifically sent to torment you.
Now isn’t that a coincidence for all to see! Troll standards are slipping, so obvious.
Perhaps Putin has told them to troll harder, or they will be sent as cannon fodder to Ukraine?
Extra effort trolls or you will be redeployed to act as falling plates!!!!👍
No need, western volunteers and mercenaries ecpecting to face a Taliban type enemy are providing all the cannon fodder needed. Until they make a run for the Polish border that is.
More likely a Russian army expecting a walk over (if they were even told, they were invading Ukraine) is struggling, big time.
Let me assure you, Paul from Burger King counter service would do better than the so called Russian soldiers (ha ha I know I know, soldiers sigh!) Which means you russkies are getting your arsenal habddd to you by slightly chubby, we,, meaning civvies!!!!! Hilarious pal, Hilarious!
Arsenal lol very apt predicted txt but it should say arses handed to you’!
I get the feeling the mighty Russian army is so poorly run, there vehicles so poorly maintained that most are breaking down and being left abandoned, there elite regular forces of paratroopers and S/F were easily dealt with in the first week of fighting what’s left is the poor conscripts lower ranks who saldy do not want to fight Ukraine . The phycological effects of seeing there comrades burnt alive in the numerous burnt out shells of destroyed tanks and APCS is also having an effect as for the Russian airforce if the tanks are poorly maintained so will be… Read more »
I did like the video on France 24, of the Ukraine Auto repair shop, that has taken PKT tank machineguns, from abandoned/damaged Russian armoured vehicles, & added a trigger/pistol grip/stock, so that Ukrainian infantry units can use them against their former owners.
We should not crow too much, as there is also video posted of Russian soldiers in East Ukraine with several captured Javelin missiles.
Have you seen the BMW 6 series with the Russian .50 cal bolted on the back? I’ll look for a pic
For that quick getaway
Why choose a crap ride
Anyone got any info on the Ukrainian commando raids on airfields at Mykolaiv & Kherson? They are claiming 45 ground kills of Russian helicopters at captured airstrips. If so that’s up there with the 1941 / 42 SAS airfield raids in Libya.
Rob,
Here is a video clip as filmed by a Russian officer who was sent to inspect the damage to Kherson
Thanks Farouk. How long can Ivan go on taking losses like this?
OOh. Well that’s Ivan’s air assault across the Dnieper FUBAR.
There are videos on YouTube relating. Apparently it was Ukrainian marines. satellite imagery included. There was some counter attacks against Russian positions.
Looking it up now. Thanks David.
Some here were asking for A-10 to be attacking Russian convoy, i pointed that Su-25 are getting significant losses.
lets see what an A-10 pilot says..
https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/03/a-10-ukraine/
Alex. I recall in gulf war 1, some 5 to 6 A10s were lost to AAA/SAM. So it would present a vey challenging mission, but do remember the columns of destroyed Iraqi armour and trucks.
Whilst current AAA systems are much improved, so too are SAM suppression tactics and stand off weapons. It would be interesting to see how the F35 would perform in a SAM suppressing role
Iraq didn’t had modernised systems neither an overlapping SAM/Gun cover.
hence my point re the F35 acting in a SAM suppression role, plus electronic jamming of fire control radars.
The Russians posted a video of one of their SU25 that only just made it back to base. A SAM exploded near it & the tail is full of holes. Rear tailpipes of engines gone, but it limped back to base.
This article in the express is brilliant, they have actually made up a U.K. ballistic missile defence system that can protect the U.K. from Ballistic missiles…..CAMM apparently, it’s so tragedy bad it’s a must read.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1581804/UK-anti-missile-defence-systems-evg
My money is on the the pic of the Starstreak next to the Rapier.
I feel safer already!
😄 Lol, Where’s Andrew? ANDREW! Notice we don’t believe this one!
Democracy and free speech in action!
😅 Just read “The Sky Sabre replaces the Rapier used at the 2012 Olympics”. Sh*t, did we actually use it at the Olympics?
Used against Javelins no doubt.
That is actually true. Rapier and Starstreak systems from 16 and 12 RA were deployed at the 2012 Olympics in case of a 9/11 scenario.
The were not “used” of course.
What utter tosh. I cannot believe they get away with writing such drivel. I couldn’t let it go, just signed up to their website and commented. I’m going to regret that!
That article must protected and put in a museum.
The Ukraine are punching the Russians on the nose; respected posters on here with a quaker mentality wishing no deaths, others positing on the effectiveness of RusMil logistics.
At the end of the day, the Russians are experiencing a negative exercise outcome.
And Russian soldiers do need sending home in wheelchairs for their mums to look after, tanks blown sky high, convoys shot up and a feeling that General Death is in command.
1917 shows us what will happen next.
An ex Us army guy has done I think an excellent video trying to analyse the situation in the Ukraine. Deffinitly worth a watch IMO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igq2fqa7RY4
Russian invasion
It has been 3 weeks since Putin gave the order to invade Ukraine. He must be thinking if it goes on much longer he will have to put the Russian economy on a war footing, so his army does not run short of kit at the front. This would be a major commitment and have major implications for all Russians. It is of course this would be more difficult to do due to sanctions.