The Russians have gone in

[venomballistics]

Not when they help keep invaders from advancing.

I believe that was true a month or so ago.
It's not a month or so ago now. The balance of power has shifted to favor Ukraine, given their performance a few weeks ago.
Those rivers are in their way, and protecting the Russians.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I believe that was true a month or so ago.

It's not a month or so ago now. The balance of power has shifted to favor Ukraine, given their performance a few weeks ago.

Those rivers are in their way, and protecting the Russians.

With some new and improved capabilities, battlefield momentum is shifting and Russian forces are taking a beating, but Ukraine is still massively outnumbered and outgunned all along a 1000km front.

They are trying to acquire the numbers of APCs, IFVs, and MBTs needed to displace the Russians, but in the meantime the barrier provided by rivers are being used to get a tactical edge.

The Ukrainian state media outlet, Ukrinform, details numerous daily attacks and counterattacks, and today's stories include this one about Ukraine targeting it's own major bridges at river crossings.

"ISW: Ukraine’s Armed Forces damage all three Russian-controlled bridges leading into Kherson city" ISW: Ukraine’s Armed Forces damage all three Russian-controlled bridges leading into Kherson city

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[bigwheelzip]

I'd previously seen some stories about Ukrainians working abroad, chosing to leave their safety and employment to return and defend their homeland.
Somehow, I doubt Russians abroad are doing likewise.

"Exodus of Ukrainian workers hits Europe's emerging economies" Exodus of Ukrainian workers hits Europe's emerging economies

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[biku324]

Here's another daily report site from folks who intensively study defense - Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 23 | Institute for the Study of War

 

[bigwheelzip]

Poland is learning from Ukraine's misery. While contributing their old Soviet era military hardware to Ukraine's fight against Russia, they negotiated for new equipment, in a deal announced today.

The agreement will see Warsaw purchase 980 tanks based on the South Korean K2 model, 648 self-propelled K9 armored howitzers, and 48 FA-50 fighter jets.

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[bigwheelzip]

German confirmed today the delivery to Ukraine of 3 additional PzH2000 self-propelled Howitzers and 3 MARS II MLRS Rocket Artillery Systems. The MARS II is an improved version of the US M270 MLRS.

Germany also confirmed today that an existing customer for it's new-production surface-to-air missile system, IRIS-T, has agreed to a delayed delivery, so that the newly built systems can be diverted to Ukraine.
Germany claims that once delivered in a few weeks, the IRIS-T systems will be the most advanced air defense assets in theatre.

In for a penny, in for a pound. Germany reversed it's previous stance and approved an export license for the purchase from the manufacturer of 100 new PzH2000 self-propelled Howitzers. Delivery not expected for more than a year.


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[Onomea]

Russian war crimes continue:

Live Updates: Ukraine Seeks Inquiry Into Killing of Dozens at Russian Prison Camp - The New York Times

 

[ddixie884]

I hate to admit it but NATO and the US should have done something back in 2014. I guess they did they trained and organized the Ukraine army to a certain extent. I guess they had to prove to the world that they were serious about freedom before they could get the kind of help they're getting now. I guess that is also why it is taking so long to get them enough help to make a difference. Of course what do I know, only what I think...........

 

[Beemerguy53]

Russian war crimes continue:

Live Updates: Ukraine Seeks Inquiry Into Killing of Dozens at Russian Prison Camp - The New York Times

It's the Russian way of warfare and has been for a very long time...

 

[bigwheelzip]

Ukraine has added new members to their long range rocket artillery family today. Three MARS II MLRS that Germans have now provided is a revised version of the M270.

All the required training of Ukrainian soldiers was already completed in Germany.

It was also announced that another 4 HIMARS systems arrived today.

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[venomballistics]

It's honestly fascinating to observe adaptation.
Russia seems to be looking to naval assets as a means to potentially meet the West augmented artillery of Ukraine.

 

[venomballistics]

The following is in no way an endorsement of the current Russian action.

Consider this:

If Mexico had applied to join the Warsaw Pact in the 60s or 70s, what would have been the reaction of the US?

In essence Cuba makes an actual working example rather than Mexico as a theoretical one

 

[LVSteve]

In essence Cuba makes an actual working example rather than Mexico as a theoretical one

Big difference when there is a land border involved. See WWII.

 

[venomballistics]

Big difference when there is a land border involved. See WWII.

WW2 had a race to develop a nuclear weapon... ANY nuclear weapon.
By the Cuban missile crisis, not only did everyone involved have them, they had them in numbers with high yield warheads in guided missile systems that fairly well negated the land border argument.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Can't find it now, but read a good story earlier about how Ukraine analyzed how poorly they had done initially, after the 2014 Russian attacks, and realized the Soviet doctrine of small-unit battle decisions being driven by the general staff wasn't working well for them.
They accepted USA offers to retrain it's military to western standards. This especially involved creating a newly empowered non-commissioned officer corp. It's largely this new phalanx of sergeants leading the fighting that is blunting Russia's advance.

On a different note, this slick upbeat short video from Ukraine I think shows the positive impact on morale brought about by the rocket artillery systems.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mdf0Vu0vH8[/ame]

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[ACORN]

If this is true, the Russians look more like the Keystone Cops, rather than a crack army.

 

[ACORN]

If this is true, the Russians look more like the Keystone Cops, rather than a crack army.
Putin humiliated as Russia blows up OWN supply train - soldiers 'panicked and scattered' | World | News | Express.co.uk

 

[bigwheelzip]

If this is true, the Russians look more like the Keystone Cops, rather than a crack army.

Hard to know what's true, but considering the Ukrainians apparent effectiveness at targeting arms depots with rocket artillery, especially at rail sidings, this event seems believable.

I imagine being the miserable Russian conscripts tasked with unloading train cars of explosive arms within range of "HIMARS", thinking a smoke screen might save their lives, and perhaps the obscuring action itself caused the mishap.





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[UncleEd]

Perhaps some day a movie can be
made about a fictional Russian
general trying to cope with his
own army.

It could star Paul Walter Hauser
("Richard Jewell" and "Cruella")
as the general.

 

[ACORN]

If they are having this much trouble with Ukraine, I wonder how they’d care against a first rate army?