[MercyFlush]

Putin is acting irrationally because firing his generals does nothing to ameliorate the obvious lack of training for enlisted troops and non-commissioned officers. Not to mention poorly maintained equipment, field rations that in some cases expired seven years ago, a lack of secure communications equipment, etc.

The way the Russians advance in these vehicle-only convoys is a horror-show of what-not-to-do.

Like it or not you need infantry on the ground advancing in tandem with the armor and not riding in trucks where they can’t protect the armor let alone themselves.

The consistent lack of Russian air cover for the convoys shows that the Ukrainian MANPADs have had a chilling effect on Russian air power. The Russians are clearly more concerned about conserving their aircraft than they are concerned with coordinated ground support.

I have to say this makes me wonder what the hell the Russians were doing in these huge exercises like Zapad 17? Were they just riding around in their tanks and their Aurus Senat limousines going “pew, pew, pew”?

The exercises were clearly a pointless waste of time and money.

What we are seeing in Ukraine with the Russian military is a demonstration in ego and hubris...and humiliation.

At the end of this real-life demonstration of Russian military power and skill against a fourth-rate defender the Russian people will be less safe than they were before.

Russia’s real enemies are watching this clownshow and making plans. Of this there can be no doubt.

[cgbg]

The difference between Russia and the US is that Russia will learn from their mistakes—the US just doubles down.

[buwaya]

Moreover it is clear that in most cases they have been fighting a collection of militia using opportunistic guerilla tactics, for which the Russians were unprepared. They could push a column up a highway but behind them the enemy still was active.

Its not just that they werent using infantry, its that they have far too few infantry to counter this sort of enemy, where they need to control terrain to protect their lines of communication.

[PIF]

Amur River region of Siberia could have new owners shortly ...

[larrytown]

The exercises were clearly a pointless waste of time and money.

They weren't meant for learning or training - they were meant to be seen by other nations. It's classic Russian move - show a Potemkin village and pretend that's the norm.

Reminds me of the account where they spent months building concrete walled lanes across the bed of a major river, and let foreign observers watch their 'war games', where tanks approached the river, and quickly and efficiently appeared in record time on the other side.

All the observers go home sufficiently stunned and amazed at the capabilities of Russian armor.

Russia has scammed the world for decades, and finally we see a little bit of what they really are.

[BiteYourSelf]

You can bet china is taking note.🤔