Posted on 10/24/2022 8:36:46 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
KYIV, Ukraine—Winter is approaching on the Ukrainian steppe. As temperatures fall, waves of chilling rain follow, dissolving roads and fields, turning them to mud that mires men and equipment. Then comes the deep freeze and snow, hardening the ground but making it tougher to fight.
Armies on both sides of the war in Ukraine are girding for the unforgiving weather and shorter days of winter, which will affect the health and morale of troops, diminish the effectiveness of weapons and intelligence-gathering sensors and multiply the logistical difficulties of keeping soldiers in the field.
“Land warfare is generally very difficult. Winter warfare is doubly challenging,” said Mykola Bielieskov, a researcher at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, a government-backed think tank in Kyiv. “To mount a major offensive, minus-15 degrees will be a challenge for both sides.”
Winter will hit the home front. Moscow has embarked on a series of attacks on Ukrainian electricity-generation and heating plants, in an effort aimed at sapping Ukrainians’ will to fight. Russia has also moved to choke off energy supplies to Europe, hoping that the cold and discomfort being suffered by voters there will persuade governments to reduce support for Ukraine.
Bad weather will affect both sides and is likely to slow the tempo of fighting, said Ben Barry, a land-warfare specialist at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. “But if either side wants to fight, it can keep fighting.”
Ukraine has appealed to Western backers for winter supplies. The U.S. military has provided tens of thousands of pieces of cold-weather gear, the Pentagon said Friday, and thousands of items are being sent by Canada, Bulgaria and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization members. Posters in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities urge residents to donate money to “keep the armed forces warm.”
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Yikes!
Poor kids, all because of ego and insecurity.
Is the war in Ukraine that important to the democrats after the mid-term elections in November? After all, we will be heading into the next annual COVID/Flu season here. Plenty of opportunity for local pain and suffering, especially with energy costs at democrat levels.
“Like Soviets in World War 2?“
Ah the ole lend lease program. We sure like to pat ourselves on the back for that one, and to a certain extent rightfully so. But it is probably important to remember a couple of things.
First, soon after Germany invaded Stalin did what was probably his best decision of the entire war. He tore down all his factories and shipped them east…..out of the reach of the Germans. This was tough as those factories could not produce anything during the move and reconstruction.
Second, lend lease did not start arriving in great quantities until after the battles of Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk. Honestly after Kursk Germany was done in the east….it was only a matter of time.
Had lend lease been arriving in major quantities in 41 I probably could agree with you. But even then lend lease percentages were small compared to Soviet homeland production.
Did lend lease help? Of course, but to compare the Soviet situation in the early 40’s to propped up Ukraine today just does not equate.
I value the top of my head a very great deal, in spite of it being bald. Sigh. Sic transit gloria mundi. My girlfriends alternated between saying I looked like Robin Williams, and Antonio Banderas. These days that is no longer plausible.
In any case, my judgment is still superb. Note that I predicted an LNG glut, and now it begins. Watch that space.
You a good man, buwaya, no matter our differences.
The critical point was late 1942, when lend lease was of enormous value. It gave the Soviets the operational mobility to carry out Operation Uranus, and it’s exploitation. And it guaranteed Soviet air superiority over the front.
Also it kept the USSR from starving, up to 1945 and after.
“Winter’s Onset Will Change Russia’s War in Ukraine”
Actually, it’s NATO’s War, at this point.
If any country knows about winters. It was -34.5c in Ilirney in North eastern Russia overnight. The coldest place on Earth outside of Antarctica
The issue will be decided by effective logistics. Ukraine has shorter lines of supply. They have also limited the Russians ability by blowing up bridges, etc.
How it turns out, I do not know, but it will be tough going for both sides.
Winter is tough for anyone especially within a battlefield environment.
“The onset of winter will change the course of Russia’s SMO in Ukraine
The Wall Street Journal is sounding the alarm - they talked to the Ukrainian military, who said that in winter their troops could become more vulnerable:
“On the battlefield, the commander of one of the Ukrainian units in the east of the country said that in winter it would be much more difficult for his soldiers to hide. In the snow, Ukrainian vehicle tracks would be visible to Russian drones and could be used to pinpoint the exact location of the soldiers. In addition, if the soldiers light a fire to keep warm, they will also be noticed.”
Mykola Beleskov, a consultant with the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Ukraine, also confirmed that hiding in winter would be much more difficult:
“We cannot fight the way we used to, in spring and summer. Moreover, Ukraine will need additional fuel to keep Ukrainian equipment from breaking down.”
https://t.me/intelslava/39974
True enough. How well Russian logistics hold up will be key. The Ukrainian Army has targeted bridges, supply routes etc. to hamper the Russians supply lines. It’s going to be interesting and not fun for either side.
Logistics will be key for both sides. Yes, agreed.
402,000 people , of which 387,000 were killed .
That is a wacky KIA to total casualties ratio. 38,700 would be a lot more believable.
That is irretrievable losses, which does not include casualties that can or will return to service. Like you, I also believe that is a ridiculously large number as it would imply over a million total casualties. As both sides are liars we will likely never get the true figures.
Did lend lease help? Of course, but to compare the Soviet situation in the early 40’s to propped up Ukraine today just does not equate.
Not exactly, the Lend-Lease supplies the Soviets got from us and the Brits in ‘41 helped tip the balance in the battle for Moscow. Then in ‘42 Lend-Lease supplies gave the Soviets the mobility to carry out Operations Uranus and Saturn.
How to wrap Portyanki How to use Jack Boots Socks Soldier Wraps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5SqkrODGII
Portyanki have advantages when feet get wet. Easier to dry.
Russia would defeat and invading armies, especially in the winter while defending their homeland
But in 2022, Russian forces invaded the Ukrainians’ homeland where the winter cold will slow invasion forces and give advantages to the homeland defenders, who fight for families and their towns. Attackers struggling in a conquest like Putins armies and mercenaries long for their own homes and families. They know they don’t belong in Ukraine. They will walk home when Putin is deposed, like the frostbit German army when their leaders abandoned them.
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