A string of Russian failures got scores of troops killed in a Ukrainian strike, and Moscow's reaction only made things worse

The attack sparked sweeping criticism and condemnation of Moscow's military leadership by prominent lawmakers, government officials, and military bloggers. They complained that the Kremlin placed troops near ammunition storage, allowed them to use cellphones that emit location data, and stationed them within firing range of Ukrainian weapons.

Scores of Russian troops were killed over the New Year holiday in a Ukrainian HIMARS strike. A string of Russian command failures allowed the deadly attack to happen.

Security experts told Insider that the incident highlights a critical lack of skill at a tactical level. A recent Ukrainian strike killed scores of Russian troops, highlighting a series of command failures that put soldiers in a vulnerable position in the first place.

A lack of oversight, discipline, and awareness Moscow was quick to blame the deadly HIMARS attack on its own troops, attributing the losses to their use of cellphones, saying that this allowed Ukraine to determine their position and conduct the strike. This story, however, was dismissed by some in Russia — such as a war reporter who was previously honored by Putin — and also in Ukraine by senior military officials.

It's unclear if cellphones played a role in the strike. If they did, it is unclear if Russian troops were explicitly told not to use their phones and did anyways, or if these rules were actually enforced.

Ukrainian forces used US-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to strike Russian positions during the New Year holiday in Makiivka, an occupied city in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Russia said that nearly 90 soldiers were killed in the attack — a rare disclosure of battlefield losses. Ukraine's military, however, placed the death toll at a much higher figure of around 400 people. These estimates could not be independently verified.

“In almost every category of equipment, the Ukrainian army is significantly stronger today than it was in February, and it will keep getting stronger. About 20,000 Ukrainian personnel have now completed advanced training in NATO countries, according to a Ukrainian state news agency, and thousands more will do the same in 2023.

In the coming months, the war could become horrifically bloody if Russian generals continue to send large numbers of poorly trained soldiers into combat. Still, Ukraine has most of the advantages that typically decide a war. Its forces will be better trained, better led, and, with the West’s help, far better armed. And most Ukrainians’ determination is likely to remain strong, in part because they don’t have any choice but to win.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/time-is-on-ukraine-s-side-not-russia-s/ar-AA16loz8?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=42541d067267460e8153566e25d41e51

How do you know Dennisaw and his sources are lying? Their lips or fingers are moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13MBwNsFWLs

Update on Russian military operations in Ukraine for January 13, 2022.

- Russian advances near Soledar and Bakhmut contradict “Ukrainian offensive momentum” narrative;

- Russian operations are consistent with the “demilitarization” objective for the special military operation;

- Bakhmut & Soledar are fortified cities along one of Ukraine’s last defensive lines in the Donbass region;

- West is announcing plans to send Western main battle tanks including Challenger 2 and Leopard 2 tanks;

- Challenger 2 and Leopard 2 tanks use different ammunition & both require an additional crew member (loader) increasing training demands for Ukrainian forces;

- The large variety of equipment the West is sending will create additional burdens for Ukrainian forces without any notable benefit;

- Western main battle tanks have proven to be vulnerable to (Russian-made) modern anti-tank weapons even under relatively ideal conditions;

- Ukrainian forces will be going into battle without sufficient artillery or air cover and facing off against Russian forces reinforced with an additional 300k men, new defenses, and an influx of new weaponry;

https://sonar21.com/us-army-vet-from-iowa-rats-out-ukrainian-corruption/

US ARMY VET FROM IOWA RATS OUT UKRAINIAN CORRUPTION

Meet Ryan O’Leary. He currently is in the Bakhmut area of operations fighting under the command of Ukrainian officers. Mr. O’Leary is not happy. He is a 34 year old alumni of Carroll High School in Iowa and a National Guard veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He reports that his unit is undermanned and lacking in heavy weapons because “they’ve gone missing.” In other words, the weapons are being sold on the black market. O’Leary blames the logistics problems on the corrupt, criminal behavior of his Ukrainian chain of command — from the Major General to his Captain. He specifically calls out a Captain Baroda, noting that Baroda traffics in a host of illegal narcotics.

###

I fear that young Mr. O’Leary has signed his death warrant. Men like Captain Baroda will retaliate in a very brutal way against anyone who interferes with their “entrepreneurial” activity. At some point the U.S. legislators, media and public need to wake up from their delusional dream that Ukraine is a budding democracy fighting for truth and justice and realize it is a kleptocracy celebrating a neo-Nazi ideology. President Zelensky and his general, Zalushny, have sent the cream of Ukraine’s youth into a slaughterhouse while depriving them of the supplies, ammunition and weapons required to fight the Russians.

It is a tragedy that Ryan O’Leary has traveled so far from the bucolic farms of western Iowa to learn a very hard truth. I hope he survives.

1. They haven’t got Bakhmut at all. It remains to be seen if they do finally take Soledar.

2. In the operational scheme of things these towns really aren’t that important; what matters is the overall Donets front. As points that the Russians have to take or hold these are strictly tactical. The strategic points that matter for ongoing Russian operations, and that are threatened by Ukrainian operations, is to hold Tokmak, Melitopol, Svatove, Sieverodonetsk. These are strategic for logistics reasons.

3. If it is a victory it is a minor one. Ukraine has indeed taken lots of more important Russian positions lately. Besides Kherson and the whole Dneiper bridgehead, which could have continued to pose a genuine offensive opportunity for Russia, they lost the whole logistics route from the railhead and depots at Belgorod, the northern shoulder of any potential northern Donets offensive at Izyum, the river crossing at Lyman, etc. This all severely limits Russian offensive options. Most of Russian logistics for the forces engaged in Ukraine now have to run through Rostov.

This is not really a rhetorical contest. The actual military situation is what matters. If you dont want to deal realistically then thats up to you.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.