Posted on 03/18/2014 5:28:37 AM PDT by McGruff
Ukraine despatched tanks into the rolling terrain of the Donbas basin on Monday, putting its biggest guns back on the scene of the biggest armoured clash in history.
It was in this bleak but fertile landscape along what is now Ukraine's border with Russia that the Red Army routed Nazi Panzers to turn the course of the Second World War.
But as Ukraine's dilapidated tank units moved to muddy berms in the fields south of Donetsk city as part of face-saving mobilisation, the guns of T-64 and T-72 models were this time pointed towards Russia.
In responding to a reported Russian military build-up, however, Ukraine's military immediately ran into groups of activists who tried to obstruct their movements. In the village of Elenvola on the edge of the great plain, there was anger at the manoeuvres from their own countrymen.
"Russians and Ukrainians don't want to fight each other," said Ivan Inozemev, a prison warder. "We would be happy to be part of Russia if that's what happens."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Maybe we should provide the air cover—Like the old Flying Tigers in China before the USA was in WW II. Volunteers frlying hot fighters—to fly for Free Ukraine? Maybe get the Euros to help?
Circular logic--that leads to: "If they needed protection, I'd accept that."
PS: and the case for Russian protection is stronger. The government they democratically voted for was overthrown by a coup.
Thank you, sir....
That's EXACTLY what I'm saying.
You misunderstood. Hypothetically, deporting Mexicans from Texas would lead to Mexico declaring that they need protection, then invading with troops.
On the bright side, the U.S. and European stock markets rose nicely after Putin’s victory declaration. They believe him when he says he will not add any more territories to his quiver. Obviously, he has more credibility than our lying leader.
Watch as 1000 years of European borders change
http://loiter.co/v/watch-as-1000years-of-european-boarders-change/
They are doomed. Don’t you get it? Their country is being stolen by a bully. It’s not theirs anymore. What’s to stop the bully?
The Warsaw Pact died over twenty years ago and I suspect what systems that existed were shipped back to Russia, have deteriorated or been sold on the black market. I suspect that existing wealth and foreign aid in the Ukraine has been spent on food, fuel, and graft. Not military arms.
They could call it the "McConnell Doctrine."
I would be very surprised if Ukraine had not wargamed or planned for the possibility of a Russian invasion. It's what armies do.
As others have noted, though, there is more than one way to fight for your country. It is possible that Ukranian forces could be heavily defeated in the field, but put yourself in their shoes. Would you advocate a similar strategy in our homeland should a more powerful enemy threaten us with conventional forces? Or would you fight?
You need the will, the way, the weather and the terrain.
If you do not have control of all of those aspects you will not win.
They do not have the will. Eastern Ukraine would be just as happy being Russian. The locals will not support a bloody conflict.
The Ukrainians do not have the way. Their military could put up a fight, but they will lose in a head to head confrontation with the Russians.
The weather also falls to the Russians. I am sure they have more modern all weather aircraft, night fighting capabilities, and more sophisticated satellite and drone technology.
The terrain is a push.
Logistically, the Russians can replenish their armaments by drawing against their stores. They can get them to the front by rail or air.
When the Ukrainians fire an anti tank missile....that is one less they are going to have.
So, as far as I can see, the Russians win four of five points, and the last point is a push.
The Ukrainians will pull out and either surrender en masse, or beat feet back to the Western part of Ukraine.
You don’t get it
You think it will all be alright, that the Soviets aren’t on the march. But they are and there is nothing to stop them. You think they are going to exercise self restraint?
No. They aren’t going to exercise self restraint.
I have several college classmates that were A-10 pilots. I guess they are lying. Because they all told me about blowing up tanks.
“...they MUST have some other relatively modern weapons systems. “
Actually, no. In 1994, Clinton signed a trilateral treaty with Ukraine and Russia that stripped Ukraine of all modern weapons in return for the promise that the U.S. would protect their borders and the Russians would “respect” their territory.
Obviously, the only entity that observed the treaty was Ukraine, because both the U.S. and Russia lied.
Looks like they need an update.
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