Defense Official Says Conflict in Ukraine's Donbas Region Could Be 'Knife Fight'

DOD NEWS ^ | APRIL 8, 2022 | JIM GARAMONE

[GonzoII]

The fight for eastern Ukraine will be a "knife fight," as both sides are familiar with the terrain, population centers and access routes, a senior defense official said today.  Russia invaded the area in 2014, and Ukrainian and Russian forces have been confronting each other there ever since.   It is becoming the main scene of battle in the country after Russian President Vladimir Putin's failed attempt to take the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. "The Russians and the Ukrainians have been focused on the Donbas for eight years, and [it's been] for eight years that the Ukrainians have been able to stymie Russia's larger objectives in the Donbas," the official said. "But the fighting has been bloody, it's been stiff. And it's been pretty consistent for years."  

After the failure of the Kyiv campaign, the Russians are moving units to the east and beginning to feed them into the fight for the Donbas. "This will be a knife fight," the official said. "This could be very bloody and very ugly." 

The Russians are limiting their geographic aims, but they still have a lot of combat power available. This could go on for a long time," the official said.  

The Russian units that were attacking Kyiv have withdrawn and are refitting in Belarus and western Russia. The units are making their way to Russian towns of Belgorod and Valuyki, which are near the border with Ukraine and the northern part of the Donbas region….

[GonzoII]

"Some of the units that attacked Kyiv were severely mauled, with many battalion tactical groups experiencing a combined personnel and equipment reduction of 30% and others hurt even more. "We've seen indications of some units that are literally ... eradicated — there's just nothing left at the BTG except a handful of troops and maybe a small number of vehicles," the official said.   "

[Doofer]

I was 21 years in the military and never heard of DOD News.

[GonzoII]

"I was 21 years in the military and never heard of DOD News. "

There's a first time for everything… ;0)

[tlozo]

Defense Official Says Conflict in Ukraine's Donbas Region Could Be 'Knife Fight' 

'U.S. Drones for Ukraine Will Include Latest Tank Killers'

The Pentagon plans to order and send to Ukraine 10 of the newest model Switchblade drones armed with tank-busting warheads in addition to previously announced deliveries of a less powerful version, according to two people familiar with the decision.

The new Switchblade-600 weapons are part of $300 million in lethal military assistance announced by the Pentagon Friday night that will be contracted directly from industry instead of drawn from existing stocks, according to the people, who asked not to identified discussing the plan.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday confirmed the tank-killing drones are part of the weaponry being sent to Ukraine.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-04/u-s-switchblade-drones-for-ukraine-will-include-tank-killers

[Prince of Space]

So if Ukraine is beating the Russians so badly, we don’t need to keep giving them money and weapons. They’ve obviously “got this,” right? Can’t have it both ways.

[PIF]

“The Russian units that were attacking Kyiv have withdrawn and are refitting in Belarus and western Russia”

Recombining is the correct word. Not an easy task and due to heavy losses may be impossible. Especially since there is word that conscripts whose contracts have expired are not allowed to leave - always a moral booster, not.

More on Recombining
Ex-Commanding General of the US Army Europe - recombining forces
https://twitter.com/MarkHertling/status/1511098973678972938?t=ciWK01lQq5UDGJklK6qw5w&s=19

[tlozo]

So if Ukraine is beating the Russians so badly,

Russians are beaten when they leave Ukraine.

[PIF]

This is becoming a problem.

Are there enough US stocks to meet the demand and still supply the UA? How fast can manufactures ramp up production? What is the condition of the parts suppliers? What will be the cost of these newer weapons, as the ones shipped are from the first batches produced at a lower cost.

“As Ukraine Pummels Russians With Javelin Missiles, Can Production Keep Pace With Demand?”
The delivery of thousands of Javelin missiles, as well as Stingers, to Ukraine has raised critical questions about production capacity.
By Howard Altman and Joseph Trevithick April 7, 2022
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/45132/as-ukraine-pummels-russians-with-javelin-missiles-can-production-keep-pace-with-demand

[ScottinVA]

DOD News Service has been around forever. It tends to provide more of a look at issues from the “30,000-foot” (i.e., leadership) level.

[DannyTN]

I’m hoping Ukraine kicks them completely out of their eastern territories.

[GonzoII]

Thanks for the interesting link. From the General:

"To reconstitute, you need to consider:

1. State of chain of command (leadership)
2. Personnel
3. Equipment readiness to reenter the fight
4. Supplies on hand to support the equipment & men
5. Training needs to overcome first fight failures

RU gets an F in all."

Things don’t/won’t look better for Russia in the East than they did in the North.

[marktwain]

So if Ukraine is beating the Russians so badly, we don’t need to keep giving them money and weapons. They’ve obviously “got this,” right? Can’t have it both ways.

Your comment does not make sense. We supplied them with weapons before the war broke out. They managed to stop the Russian attack, even roll them back from near Kiev.

So, they have managed to stymie the Russians, so far, but it is not like they are at the edge of Moscow.

Your comment is like saying: The Soviets stopped the NAZIs at Moscow, so they don't need any more Dodge trucks, food, fuel, or steel to build tanks, right?

[hinckley buzzard]

Without resupply, Ukraine won’t be beating anybody soon enough. That’s why ongoing logistic support is crucial.

[FreshPrince]

Of all the outin puffer “arguments” that has got to be the most stupid. Maybe they are beating the Russians because we are giving them aid....duh!

[GonzoII]

"So if Ukraine is beating the Russians so badly, we don't need to keep giving them money and weapons. They've obviously “got this,” right? Can't have it both ways."

Following your logic the U.S. didn't need to arm itself before going into Iraq or into any war in order to achieve victory. Or the U.S. didn't to supply Israel with M-60 tanks before they achieved victory in the Six-Day war.

[GonzoII]

Or the U.S. didn't [need] to supply Israel

[GonzoII]

Studebaker US (US-6?) World War II military truck (mostly used by the USSR), at Łańcut, Poland

[alexander_busek]

Russians are beaten when they leave Ukraine.

Amen!

Regards,

[Arlis]

Hmmm....they haven’t been able to do that for 8 years.....

Now weakened militarily, how can Ukraine do that?

Just asking.......

[sockmonkey]

What moron ever thought Russia wanted Kiev?

A Chilean, living in Ukraine does a good breakdown of Russia’s objectives, Victoria Nuland, Zelensky’s role, and the Nazi elements in key positions in Ukraine Government, and Military post Maiden.

Not a fan of podcasts, but this one was worth the listen.
https://youtu.be/nFhkJZ3Dyb4