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To: Red6
I don't deny that our capabilities are more significant in both quantity and quality. But almost none of them are being used in Ukraine. But they are not necessary to fight Russia in Ukraine, and our better equipment has the disability of a longer and more complex logistics train.

The one exception would be Starlink. I would assume the Ukrainians are aware of that and we can see what effect cutting the pirated Russian terminals is having on Russian forces right now, which will be made worse when Putin cuts off Telegram. If the US cuts off Starlink for Ukraine the Europeans will take that as the US openly siding with Russia, and will increase their assistance.

71 posted on 02/19/2026 8:16:39 AM PST by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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To: pierrem15

Yes, the Euro’s have stepped up to the plate: https://mod.gov.ua/en/news/38-billion-in-support-of-ukraine-for-drones-air-defence-and-patriot-missiles-outcomes-of-one-of-the-most-successful-ramstein-format-meetings

In the inter war period 14-21, it was us that carried most the weight, and in the beginning of this war, our massive and rapid response was critical in keeping Ukraine viable against Russia. 15,000 Austrian army helmets won’t make much of a difference, 10,000 Javelin (that’s real) missiles will.

However, even now, the Euros do not have our capabilities across a wide spectrum nor the mass (space-based systems, busting bunkers, operating in a high threat environment for air...). It’s some of the higher-level stuff which we bring to the table (Intel: SIGINT, IMINT, satcom, etc. which have and continue to pay off huge dividends for Ukraine and frankly no Allie as an equivalent of.

It’s hard to hide when someone is looking at you optically, thermally, with radar that can see through smoke, sand storms, and clouds, picking up emissions across a wide span of the EMS, identifying what they are and where they came from (locating the origin) across the entire battlespace, can put all this together in a common picture, maintain this near real time, distribute pertinent information to the various entities which can use this, all the way down to the tactical level in a reliable, secure, and timely manner.

Furthermore, if we were to disengage from this conflict entirely, things would be too hot for the Euro’s. As it stands, Russia has to be careful how they retaliate may it be the French seizing their ships or UK long range missiles striking deep into Russia, etc.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/22/french-navy-intercepts-suspected-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-mediterranean

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmxjverzzro

If we are not in the picture (no longer acting as the security underwriter), the Russians will be far more forceful in how they retaliate. When you have a big brother who is the biggest kid on the playground, other kids tend to leave you alone.

But that’s just my estimate of the situation.


72 posted on 02/19/2026 2:57:39 PM PST by Red6
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