Report to Congress on Military, Intelligence Issues on Russian Invasion of Ukraine

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | September 19, 2023 | Congressional Research Service

[Retain Mike]

Russia’s renewed invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022 marked the start of Europe’s deadliest armed conflict in decades. After a steady buildup of military forces along Ukraine’s borders since 2021, Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with Russian ground forces attacking from multiple directions.

Initially, Russian forces made gains along all lines of advance. However, Russian forces ran into effective and likely unexpected levels of Ukrainian resistance from the invasion’s outset. In addition, many analysts and officials assess that, during this first stage of the war, the Russian military performed poorly overall and was hindered by specific tactical choices, poor logistics, ineffective communications, and command-and-control issues. The Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), while at a quantitative and qualitative disadvantage in personnel, equipment, and resources, have proven more resilient and adaptive than Russia expected.

Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied territory in southern and eastern Ukraine has run into heavier-than-expected resistance, forcing the UAF to adjust tactics and achieve incremental gains against fortified Russian lines.

In contrast to previous periods of the war that saw rapid maneuver warfare, the war entering fall 2023 has become attritional, with each side seeking to wear down and outlast the other. Casualties, equipment losses, and the need for ammunition are acute as Russia and Ukraine seek to reconstitute units and rotate forces on the frontlines. For Russia, recruiting remains constrained due to political considerations and implications for domestic stability. Ukraine’s relatively smaller population has been almost entirely mobilized. Sustainment, rather than the introduction of new capabilities or units, likely will be the focus for both Russia and Ukraine. The ability to repair and replace equipment, recruit new personnel, and procure artillery ammunition will be among the key factors determining success in the coming months.

[Retain Mike]

This is probably a good source, because the USNI is willing to use it.

[Kazan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykhyZVI2pxI

Update on the conflict in Ukraine for September 18, 2023

- Ukrainian offensive operations remain stagnant along the line of contact with Russian counterattacks overturning what superficial progress they do make;

- The Western media citing US and other NATO member state officials admits Ukrainian forces lacked the proper training to conduct a successful offensive;

- As Western sources begin admitting to Ukraine's catastrophic losses in men and materiel, they also admit Russian losses are near all time lows;

- The collective West also acknowledges that the amount of ammunition and weapons Ukraine requires is beyond the West’s ability to provide both in the short and intermediate future;

- In order to provide such levels of material support, the West would need to significantly mobilize its population, industry, and military, a prospect that isn’t even being seriously considered let alone planned;

[mass55th]

35,000 illegals crossing into this country in just 4 days, but Russia crossing the border into a country we have no national security interest in, is more important.

[Retain Mike]

I think we got into this position, because we talked them into giving up their nukes and we were going to protect them.

[mass55th]

"I think we got into this position, because we talked them into giving up their nukes and we were going to protect them."

That was in 1994 under Bill Clinton, you know, the guy who gave super computers, and our missile secrets to communist China, then got campaign donations bundled by Chinese nationalists? Donald Blinken was the Ambassador to Hungary who signed the Budapest Memorandum, the father of the moron Antony Blinken, who is now Secretary of State. You have to wonder what the Clintons got in return for this memo, because they never did anything that didn't benefit their pockets.

[Retain Mike]

I sometimes wonder how they could have bought into the idea, because it was the same party that cut and ran in Vietnam. Even if it was a Republican administration, they should have known that the next Democrat administration would have squirmed out of the obligation.