Not a good time to command Russian troops

[LoboGunLeather]

Military commissar shot in Russia during mobilization meeting – video

Reports of forced conscription of 300,000 Russians for the Ukraine "special military operation", with indications that this is the first of 4 planned drafts. Hundreds of thousands fleeing the country by any possible means, probably many more dodging draft officials.

At least 20 arson attacks on military induction centers, now a young Russian man has been arrested for shooting the commissar in charge of his induction.

Imagine being the poor Russian Army reserve lieutenant commanding an infantry company of draftees in the combat zone. Give the order to attack, become the first target. Best case, having to report that your entire command abandoned weapons and equipment, then ran away to leave you in command of nothing. Worst case, waking up to a grenade next to your head.

Winter is a nasty reality in that part of the world. Might be even worse for untrained and poorly equipped young people thrown into a very unpopular conflict by heavy-handed autocratic leadership.

 

[biku324]

Indeed. Younger Russians weren't brought up under Stalinesque discipline like Putin was; different paradigm via 25 years of social media.

 

[Rudi]

I don't know if there has ever been a good time to command Russian/Soviet troops. Even worse to be a troop.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

LOOKS LIKE DAVID MAY BEAT GOLIATH ONCE AGAIN.

 

[biku324]

Seems like Putin began to believe his own bluster. That never ends well.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Given the expiration rate of ranking military and political leaders, plus the unpopular draft, I wouldn't be too surprised to learn of Putin's demise, a la Caesar in Rome. There is one Putin, and many wondering if they will be next.

 

[JJEH]

I must have overestimated the Russians. Like said above, Putin was brought up differently. When the G7 "leaders" mocked him (by doing a very casual photoshoot during the meet without jackets and ties, rolled up sleeves, etc.) I said "you know, if they are all being dropped into a very remote area with only a map and an extraction point to be, Putin would be the only one making it out of there alive."

I guess his troops have not been trained to the same standard as he has.

Wasn't it a few weeks ago when this young kid, number one in simulator tank battle, was killed in real life? Yeah, computers are an additional training aid, not a replacement!

 

[biku324]

"Vlad, watch out for those stairs, they're dangerous!" - oligarchs

 

[DWalt]

My personal opinion is that there is far too much wishful thinking. Putin will not leave the scene under any circumstances. He will not be overthrown or assassinated. If he needs to mobilize 80 year old women and 12 year old kids for front line service, he will not hesitate until Ukraine is nothing but ashes.

 

[biku324]

I guess we'll see...he hasn't impressed anyone other than his fan club so far.

 

[IronSkillet]

Taking into consideration the global economy and strained infrastructure calling up 300,000 citizen soldiers seems like an excellent idea. Fresh troops on hand with new kit all trained up for the Spring offensive. Question what happened to the Soviet Union when they returned home from Afghanistan? What is happening in the United States after leaving Afghanistan an excellerated rate of National Debt. Are we as a nation going to follow Russia into being a rebirth nation?

 

[Der Verminator]

My personal opinion is that there is far too much wishful thinking. Putin will not leave the scene under any circumstances. He will not be overthrown or assassinated. If he needs to mobilize 80 year old women and 12 year old kids for front line service, he will not hesitate until Ukraine is nothing but ashes.

In addition to that.......Ukranians are suffering.

Putin has one strong ally.........winter.

This winter will cause Ukrainians to suffer a lot more........heat and electricity and food will be in short supply.

And in Russia.......there are no such problems.

Meanwhile, Putin can continue to bombard and reduce major Ukrainian cities to rubble making their life even more miserable.

The winter will also harshly impact the European NATO members and weaken their resolve to support Ukraine.......especially if Putin shuts off their gas for heating.

All in all, Russia is in a far better position than our Media give credit for.

 

[DWalt]

Exactly my thinking. This winter will tell the tale. I think many Europeans and Ukrainians will reconsider their options when Putin shuts off their energy and they all start to freeze.

 

[Protocall_Design]

That's not a problem. They can just switch over to all electric like California is doing...

 

[Tom Beavert]

Here's hoping it goes well for the good guys.
Tom B.

 

[yaktamer]

I don't know if there has ever been a good time to command Russian/Soviet troops. Even worse to be a troop.

I was assigned to Berlin Brigade in '85-'86. Part of that involved occasional contact with Soviet enlisted. Although my interaction was limited, it was readily apparent that their existence was a miserable one. And those were the troops that they selected to be the face of their army to the Allies. Can't imagine what morale was like in the regular line units.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My personal opinion is that there is far too much wishful thinking. Putin will not leave the scene under any circumstances. He will not be overthrown or assassinated. If he needs to mobilize 80 year old women and 12 year old kids for front line service, he will not hesitate until Ukraine is nothing but ashes.

I for one don't believe one word of what you said. The game is still in the first quarter.........Kids and old people make good cannon fodder.

 

[biku324]

Exactly my thinking. This winter will tell the tale. I think many Europeans and Ukrainians will reconsider their options when Putin shuts off their energy and they all start to freeze.

Sure, and the EU is doing nothing but wringing their hands...

Germany signed a natural gas deal with the UAE on Sunday, marking another move by a European country to secure additional energy supplies ahead of winter.

"This marks an important milestone in building up an LNG supply infrastructure in Germany and setting up a more diversified gas supply," Germany utility giant RWE said about the agreement. Russia's War to Cost $2.8 Trillion but EU Energy Crisis Could Worsen It

 

[bigwheelzip]

Imagine being the poor Russian Army reserve lieutenant commanding an infantry company of draftees in the combat zone.

Yup, too bad for him.

On the other hand, Ukraine's top general is on the cover of Time.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[Rudi]

The Ukrainians have been dealing with winter as long as the Russians have. Lots of trees, wood heat. Rather be cold than shot up, blown up, or surrender. They will be there in the spring.