Is Ukraine about to have a war?
old addage adjusted
Leaving the symbolism aside, does the supply of Bradley and Marder FV significantly improve Ukraine fighting abilities ? Do they not already have a large - albeit rather mixed - number of IFV from Britain, Australia and numerous other countries ? Are these Western units much better ( if at all ) than all the BMP variants ?
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We have discussed endlessly the possibility of the demise of V.V. Putin, by sickness, bullet, poison or window, but there are two competing figures beginning with P and ending in -in.
No-one IIRC has yet talked fully about the danger of the influence that the other one holds, (the head chef at the Hotel W), almost controlling Putin at present as if he were a puppet, and the possibility that he too might not be absolutely safe from nasty accidents. In fact, the tough Beef Stroganov that he has been stewing up around Bakhmut may not have been quite as soft and juicy as Putin's palate had anticipated.
No-one IIRC has yet talked fully about the danger of the influence that the other one holds, (the head chef at the Hotel W), almost controlling Putin at present as if he were a puppet, and the possibility that he too might not be absolutely safe from nasty accidents. In fact, the tough Beef Stroganov that he has been stewing up around Bakhmut may not have been quite as soft and juicy as Putin's palate had anticipated.
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Russia now deploying their hellfire missile, the 305 LMUR
https://www.theinfographicsshow.com/...armor-missile/
US considering supplying Strikers.
https://www.theinfographicsshow.com/...armor-missile/
US considering supplying Strikers.
Agree with you. However that is not happening - the conversations on Bradleys/Tanks etc are for far smaller numbers...just enough to keep Ukraine on the front foot as Russian tactics improve and lessons are learned. The West will keep Ukraine from losing, as I have said, but we didn't want them to win too quickly. I know this.
However, have we now reached the point where we are prepared to finally arm Ukraine and watch them win? I don't know the answer to that, but looking at the types and numbers of vehicles etc being suggested, I suspect not. We want the Russian military ground down to the point that if Putin does stumble out of a window and die of cement poisoning, his successor - who could be even 'worse' - will have nothing left to fight with (apart from Nukes, and who knows if they even work, although some probably do but it's a risky game to fire one to see if it is functional)
This is reality folks and if you want to hurl insults like OMEGAV6 because you have nothing intelligent to say, then crack on if it makes you feel better.
However, have we now reached the point where we are prepared to finally arm Ukraine and watch them win? I don't know the answer to that, but looking at the types and numbers of vehicles etc being suggested, I suspect not. We want the Russian military ground down to the point that if Putin does stumble out of a window and die of cement poisoning, his successor - who could be even 'worse' - will have nothing left to fight with (apart from Nukes, and who knows if they even work, although some probably do but it's a risky game to fire one to see if it is functional)
This is reality folks and if you want to hurl insults like OMEGAV6 because you have nothing intelligent to say, then crack on if it makes you feel better.
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If I may offer a 
to peter's point there: It's all about the training.
The rate at which you can train the soldiers with modern equipment is a key determining factor in how many - Leopard 2s, Bradleys, HIMARS, or other systems - you can bring to bear how soon.
(And that gets longer and more expensive with aircraft).
If I may add to peter's point:
As you deploy formations of weapons systems, you also have to activate a combat support / logistic capability to keep them in the fight. {Note 1}
That doesn't happen overnight.
{Note 1}: This appears to be where the Russians fell down rather badly during their initial attempt at a Blitzkrieg in February of 2022.
to peter's point there: It's all about the training.The rate at which you can train the soldiers with modern equipment is a key determining factor in how many - Leopard 2s, Bradleys, HIMARS, or other systems - you can bring to bear how soon.
(And that gets longer and more expensive with aircraft).
If I may add to peter's point:
As you deploy formations of weapons systems, you also have to activate a combat support / logistic capability to keep them in the fight. {Note 1}
That doesn't happen overnight.
{Note 1}: This appears to be where the Russians fell down rather badly during their initial attempt at a Blitzkrieg in February of 2022.
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It helps that some of the western countries are repairing and returning kit for Ukraine,
Such as Slovakia
Lithuania
Poland
Such as Slovakia
Lithuania
Poland
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It looks like an ex Eniskillen fire engine was damaged in Kherson.
(Tweets deleted in the interest of brevity). I went ahead and dug up some articles about the success that BFV's had versus Russian made armor in Iraq/Kuwait.
Interesting reading, which makes the donation of the BFV (if the TTP and training are a part of that package) look better than my first impression of that news.
Reports that Russia has taken th town of Soledar should be of great concern.
Soledar is placed on a massive system of salt mines that extend for miles deep underground and would offer the Russians impregnable and infinite space to stockpile troops, munitions and armour in total safety.
The prospect of a large force being prepared underground unseen and of unknown quantity that can just erupt from a score or more of entrances like a horde of Orcs must be immensely serious.
One can only speculate whether the opportunity to steal an entire lucrative industry is not also a considerable motivation for Prigozhin. I cannot imagine the idea has escaped him while he has tens of thousands of mobiks to expend in gaining that prize.
Soledar is placed on a massive system of salt mines that extend for miles deep underground and would offer the Russians impregnable and infinite space to stockpile troops, munitions and armour in total safety.
The prospect of a large force being prepared underground unseen and of unknown quantity that can just erupt from a score or more of entrances like a horde of Orcs must be immensely serious.
One can only speculate whether the opportunity to steal an entire lucrative industry is not also a considerable motivation for Prigozhin. I cannot imagine the idea has escaped him while he has tens of thousands of mobiks to expend in gaining that prize.
Reports that Russia has taken th town of Soledar should be of great concern.
Soledar is placed on a massive system of salt mines that extend for miles deep underground and would offer the Russians impregnable and infinite space to stockpile troops, munitions and armour in total safety.
The prospect of a large force being prepared underground unseen and of unknown quantity that can just erupt from a score or more of entrances like a horde of Orcs must be immensely serious.
One can only speculate whether the opportunity to steal an entire lucrative industry is not also a considerable motivation for Prigozhin. I cannot imagine the idea has escaped him while he has tens of thousands of mobiks to expend in gaining that prize.
Soledar is placed on a massive system of salt mines that extend for miles deep underground and would offer the Russians impregnable and infinite space to stockpile troops, munitions and armour in total safety.
The prospect of a large force being prepared underground unseen and of unknown quantity that can just erupt from a score or more of entrances like a horde of Orcs must be immensely serious.
One can only speculate whether the opportunity to steal an entire lucrative industry is not also a considerable motivation for Prigozhin. I cannot imagine the idea has escaped him while he has tens of thousands of mobiks to expend in gaining that prize.
The Russians dealt with that in several weeks.
Plus if the salt mines are so great, then surely the Ukrainians are popping up behind the Russian lines and creating havoc?
I would suggest with the equipment and training the Ukrainians are getting, then their tactics will change considerably and bypassing a load of Orcs underground will be a win.
My thought is that salt mines are probably very dry places and troops need a lot of water to survive...anything that keeps the enemy fixed in position while armoured columns thrust deep into Putin's rear is going to make him go goggle-eyed.
If I may offer a to peter's point there: It's all about the training.
The rate at which you can train the soldiers with modern equipment is a key determining factor in how many - Leopard 2s, Bradleys, HIMARS, or other systems - you can bring to bear how soon.
(And that gets longer and more expensive with aircraft).
If I may add to peter's point:
As you deploy formations of weapons systems, you also have to activate a combat support / logistic capability to keep them in the fight. {Note 1}
That doesn't happen overnight.
{Note 1}: This appears to be where the Russians fell down rather badly during their initial attempt at a Blitzkrieg in February of 2022.
to peter's point there: It's all about the training.The rate at which you can train the soldiers with modern equipment is a key determining factor in how many - Leopard 2s, Bradleys, HIMARS, or other systems - you can bring to bear how soon.
(And that gets longer and more expensive with aircraft).
If I may add to peter's point:
As you deploy formations of weapons systems, you also have to activate a combat support / logistic capability to keep them in the fight. {Note 1}
That doesn't happen overnight.
{Note 1}: This appears to be where the Russians fell down rather badly during their initial attempt at a Blitzkrieg in February of 2022.
I hope and believe that the modern young people of Ukraine are similarly blessed, and that the Orcs, gazing at a screen or a piece of complex kit through vodka eyes, see something shiny to loot or wreck, and cannot find the ON button.
They said the same about the Mariupol Steel Works, that it was impregnable and was designed as a nuclear bunker.
The Russians dealt with that in several weeks.
Plus if the salt mines are so great, then surely the Ukrainians are popping up behind the Russian lines and creating havoc?
I would suggest with the equipment and training the Ukrainians are getting, then their tactics will change considerably and bypassing a load of Orcs underground will be a win.
My thought is that salt mines are probably very dry places and troops need a lot of water to survive...anything that keeps the enemy fixed in position while armoured columns thrust deep into Putin's rear is going to make him go goggle-eyed.
The Russians dealt with that in several weeks.
Plus if the salt mines are so great, then surely the Ukrainians are popping up behind the Russian lines and creating havoc?
I would suggest with the equipment and training the Ukrainians are getting, then their tactics will change considerably and bypassing a load of Orcs underground will be a win.
My thought is that salt mines are probably very dry places and troops need a lot of water to survive...anything that keeps the enemy fixed in position while armoured columns thrust deep into Putin's rear is going to make him go goggle-eyed.
What could go wrong?” What’s that you say? ‘Seal us underground? Pour fuel and explosives down ventilation shafts? Ignite same thereby sucking all the air out of the mines?’ Nyet…they’ll never think of that!”
Good luck with that plan!
Also isn’t one of the rules of combat : “If you make it impossible for the enemy to get in ….you make it impossible for you to get out!”
They said the same about the Mariupol Steel Works, that it was impregnable and was designed as a nuclear bunker.
The Russians dealt with that in several weeks.
Plus if the salt mines are so great, then surely the Ukrainians are popping up behind the Russian lines and creating havoc?
I would suggest with the equipment and training the Ukrainians are getting, then their tactics will change considerably and bypassing a load of Orcs underground will be a win.
My thought is that salt mines are probably very dry places and troops need a lot of water to survive...anything that keeps the enemy fixed in position while armoured columns thrust deep into Putin's rear is going to make him go goggle-eyed.
The Russians dealt with that in several weeks.
Plus if the salt mines are so great, then surely the Ukrainians are popping up behind the Russian lines and creating havoc?
I would suggest with the equipment and training the Ukrainians are getting, then their tactics will change considerably and bypassing a load of Orcs underground will be a win.
My thought is that salt mines are probably very dry places and troops need a lot of water to survive...anything that keeps the enemy fixed in position while armoured columns thrust deep into Putin's rear is going to make him go goggle-eyed.
These salt mines are pretty deep. A heavier than air gas could fill them. The Russians could try and use them as a shelter. AFAIK carbon dioxide isn't a chemical weapon. Just saying . . .
Two thoughts ,it probably is illegal and pretty much impractical. If the mines are expansive, you would need an awful lot of gas and the cooperation of those running the ventilation system. I wonder if the ventilation system blows good air in or sucks bad air out or both?
Two thoughts ,it probably is illegal and pretty much impractical. If the mines are expansive, you would need an awful lot of gas and the cooperation of those running the ventilation system. I wonder if the ventilation system blows good air in or sucks bad air out or both?
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Two thoughts ,it probably is illegal and pretty much impractical. If the mines are expansive, you would need an awful lot of gas and the cooperation of those running the ventilation system. I wonder if the ventilation system blows good air in or sucks bad air out or both?
No idea about the legality of using carbon dioxide. It can't be a chemical weapon given we all breathe the stuff out, can it?
No doubt Ukrainian military commanders would welcome Russia storing large amounts of military hardware and people underground in one location.
Simply then a case of finding all exits - many of which may already be known - HIMARsing them shut - and entombing said hardware and people.
Simply then a case of finding all exits - many of which may already be known - HIMARsing them shut - and entombing said hardware and people.