Posted on 02/24/2022 7:08:32 PM PST by SeekAndFind
The scenes out of Ukraine as Russia continues to invade its sovereign neighbor have painted a picture of chaos. We’ve seen street fighting, apartment buildings being hit with rockets, and tanks rolling down highways. But, what we haven’t seen is a decisive victory for Vladimir Putin.
Part of the invasion strategy was to quickly take the major airports in order to fly in men and materials to overwhelm Ukraine’s defenses. Surprisingly fierce opposition has prevented that, though. As of Thursday afternoon, Ukrainian military forces had actually recaptured one of the airports initially lost. That apparently happened with the help of a Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot, who shot down multiple planes and helicopters taking part in the airborne assault.
⚡️⚡️⚡️BREAKING:
Ukrainian troops in full control of the Hostomel Airport, Russian airborne force eliminated.— Illia Ponomarenko (@IAPonomarenko) February 24, 2022
I'm seeing reports (but can't confirm) that a Ukrainian Mig 29 pilot has become an ace today.
First, how incredible in this day and age.
Second, holy shit the balls on that guy.
— Mike Nelson (@mikenelson586) February 24, 2022
NEW: Ukraine reports 350 Russian troops were killed in the first day of the invasion.
— Election Wizard 🇺🇸 (@ElectionWiz) February 24, 2022
For comparison, the United States lost only 154 servicemembers killed in action over the entire Gulf War. Over the first year of fighting the second Iraq War, 486 US service members were killed in the theater. That’s a testament to the technological and training superiority of the U.S. military, compared to the Russians, who have always been less formidable than they present. It also puts into perspective how much blood has already been extracted from Putin in an invasion that has barely gotten started.
That begs the question of how much resolve Russia truly has. Are they in this for the long haul, and possibly thousands killed in battle and via an insurgency? Or is Putin looking to tag the bag at Kyiv, claim victory, and then back off with his ego still intact? It’s hard to say because even though Russia is a dictatorship, the dynamics are not the same as other authoritarian regimes. While the Taliban had unlimited stamina when it came to absorbing losses and setbacks, I do not get the feeling Putin has that luxury. If things start to get really bloody, the protests already happening in his country are going to escalate, and that could cause major problems at home.
Further, it looks like the Ukrainians are in this for the long haul. They have already barred the exit of able-bodied men aged 18-60, meaning they are expected to stay and fight. Guns and Javelins are being handed out to militia forces in an effort to bolster defenses.
Still, I don’t want to give the impression that Ukraine is going to win this fight. Russia has a massive amount of forces ready to go in reserve along the border. If Putin is willing to accept the costs of blood and treasure, he will eventually reach his goal of decapitating the current government. I’m not so sure that’ll work out well for him in the end, though. If an insurgency takes hold, it’s going to be a nightmare for the Russian occupiers. Meanwhile, the Russian stock market is down over 40 percent today, a massive drop. Pain is coming for Putin, and we are going to find out how committed he actually is to this misadventure.
That cannot be said of many anti-tank missiles. That said, I stand corrected.
CC
There was a heavy missile attack on civilians in Kyiv a few hours ago. Typical Putinist murder and already drawing parallels to Hitler’s attack on the city in 1941.
East and West Ukraine seems to be Putin’s plan B. He’s not going to take Kyiv without a huge fight.
“I thought the wars in Iraq and Kuwait showed that the day of the tank is over.”
Only in some environments. The first Gulf War showed the strengths of Tank Warfare quite brilliantly. As desert warfare has been described, “a tactician’s dream, and a logistician’s nightmare.”
Armored warfare has a major role (speaking as a light infantryman)
Its been reported that the Ukrainians are using a Turkish designed drone system with great effect. The Azerbaganis used an Israel suppled drone system to decimate Armenian armor in their recent war. IMHO both tanks and surface combatant ships have been rendered obsolete by modern technology.
Javelins have that new feature, that older anti-tank rounds (Like the Vietnam era LAW) did not.
I don’t know about the British/Swedish NLAW (which the Ukrainians have, and have been using), but I’d guess they also have that newer capability, that used to only be seen on heavier anti-tank systems, like the TOW/TOW2.
Modern technology is a part, but when things get sh***y, “All guns in the fight”
Very true. But we all know what happened when brave men armed with rifles charged machine guns across open fields.
...and that’s why we don’t.
We use cover, concealment, distance, terrain features, and a host of other aspects to put the weapon where it can launch effectively leaving the operator to live and fight another day.
They may take Kiev but they will rue the day. No Russian soldier will ever be safe on the streets. They are fiercely hated.
Woke “super” generals Milley and Austin would be quick to agree.
Question for the board. Where are the 250,000 Ukrainian troops? Are they engaged or left the stage?
yes but the Russian side claims there was a key base in southern Ukraine basing these drones that was knocked out of action by Putin’s missiles
“already drawing parallels to Hitler’s attack on the city in 1941.”
From whom?
“The Iraqis were untrained and even though they had OK equipment, they had no skill using it.”
You are aware that the Iraqis army fought a brutal 8 year war until 1988 against Iran? The troops we faced in 1990 were among the most experienced fighters in the world.
The Ukranian gov is arming ten thousand civilians that are have no training and are not allowed to own guns to defend the city against a professional army. Where the hell is the Ukrainian army? If “come die for me people that I was sworn to protect”
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So did hunter broker the sale of the 10,000 automatic weapons to his Uke friends?
Biden has extra immigrants he can relocate to the Ukraine.
I’m tempted to celebrate this...
But it is not funny. I can’t imagine the Russians really want this. It’s sad that people will die due to hideous despots like Pooty.
Russians are attacking in four fronts across Ukraine. Ukrainian military is actively slowing down three of them even though they are completely outgunned.
First Day Assessment:
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia-ukraine-warning-update-initial-russian-offensive-campaign-assessment
Historically, Russian generals are indifferent to personnel losses. Zhukov spent a million men to take Berlin. Ukraine is prime tank country. What Russian armored general can resist the opportunity to flood the countryside with their new version of their main battle tank. Putins main problem will be holding his people back,
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