I seem to have been reading for weeks that the Russians have reached their "culmination point", and that their supply lines are on the edge of collapse. But all the while they have been slowly advancing. I'm not sure what the attraction of invading somewhere if you've reduced it to rubble is, but the strategy seems to be intact.
I think there is a lot of guarded information from both sides. The Ukrainians are usually also claiming to be overrun which probably means their really regrouping.
I’m not sure what the attraction of invading somewhere if you’ve reduced it to rubble is
They don’t aim to stop at the limits of the rubble. Countries that border Ukraine are aware of this. And anyway, I’ve always seen that the plan is to take the whole of the coast, to form a New Russia in the South, and slowly strangle Ukraine into poverty and collapse. For an old man, Putin has far more patience than western commentators make out. If this takes years, then it takes years. He’ll keep on it.
I think Putin has realized that his fantasy of annexing all of Ukraine is impossible and he's just trying to grab as much of the east as he can. Reducing it to rubble means that there won't be any Ukrainians there. Russian gains seem to have been very small. Fighting in the east, near the Russian border is much easier than in the north because they can use railways for resupply instead of trucks.
As I understand it, "culmination" means that they can't continue offensive operations and have to switch to defensive operations, it doesn't mean they are on the point of collapse. With rail supply, I suspect that Russia can sustain an artillery war for many months and it will be extremely difficult for Ukraine to drive them back across the border.
Interestingly, their losses of armoured vehicles are much lower than before. This may be a sign that they have lost so many that they aren't able to launch armoured attacks and are just relying on artillery instead. There were reports that they were shipping old T-62 tanks to Ukraine. That would be a sign that their stocks of more modern gear were depleted.
There were reports that they were shipping old T-62 tanks to Ukraine.
that's odd you'd think it be t-64 first 😕
that’s odd you’d think it be t-64 first
The reason that I read is that T-62s are used by reserve units, so they have a lot that are actually operational. The newer tanks in the reserve stockpile will have been neglected for decades and need serious maintenance to make them operational. In other words, they are just dredging up anything that has an engine that will start.
“Everything is gone”: Russian business hit hard by tech sanctions
Export controls and sanctions have plunged Russia into technological crisis.
Worth a read.
@ jkomo
I give it six months befor there are anti drone drones fighting it out remotely.
That's inevitable. We will probably see drone hunters. i.e. drones vs drones.
@jkomo - there are similar on ebay for less - the one below is £13.79 each if you buy 3
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314004044799?hash=item491c197bff:g:3oUAAOSww1Fih15W
If you need to raise more money let me know, new month new pay packet 😉
Murray, thanks but we are all done.
The eBay ones may not be up to the job, there are a lot of rubbish ones about, where the windlass (stick winder thing) snaps easily.
Next week I’m hopefully finalising a big buy of water purification tablets- 198,000 of them to do nearly 4 million litres.
After that is camping stoves, they need them as they can’t use a camp fire as they get shelled straight away.
On the subject of drones, whilst you can have civilian operators involved in the piloting of drones, but due to Geneva convention, civilian contractors are excluded from the targeting and delivery of lethal force. If the Russians discovered NATO personnel involved, they could state that NATO becomes a legitimate target.
Enjoyed this:
Very satisfying. Would have liked to see that missile launcher destroyed tho!
Hey Murray 🤦♂️.
Thanks
Looks ideal!
Not sure I’ll do a group buy for these, we might do a big sponsorship deal.
I might order one to check it out, it looks really good.
According the the Fins visiting next door, the shooting ranges are rammed and body armour is flying off the shelves. I dont know how widespread that is, or if its just their bubble.
They do not like Russia very much at all. The fear and resentment of the Winter War brought up quickly, something capable of crossing generations.
They failed to blame NATO, i'll pull them up on that later.
Looks like Severodonetsk has been liberated, which is pretty incredible!
Seriously?!?! That sounds amazing!!
I've looked for that story, all the news I can find says that they've only retaken part of it?
dovebiker
Full Member
On the subject of drones, whilst you can have civilian operators involved in the piloting of drones, but due to Geneva convention, civilian contractors are excluded from the targeting and delivery of lethal force. If the Russians discovered NATO personnel involved, they could state that NATO becomes a legitimate target.Posted 8 hours ago
****ing hell, what the **** are you on about?
If you have that mindset the Turkish have been battering those russian arseholes for the last 3 months. Attacks on turkey? **** all. They are a member of nato.
Why would Russia want to attack NATO, ever? It's gotten it's arse handed to it by Ukraine. Ukraine is a big country with a big(ish) ex Soviet military that was rated way below Russia.
NATO would ****ing rape Russia in under a week.
* hell, what the * are you on about?
Perhaps having an understanding of how international treaties and geopolitics is influencing the NATO response?
If you have that mindset the Turkish have been battering those russian arseholes for the last 3 months.
Depends if the Turks are flying the drones, or supplying the drones for Ukranians to pilot. My understanding was that it was the latter, so I may be wrong.
Remind us again how Russia views and follows international treaties?
Remind us again how Russia views and follows international treaties?
They don't, but NATO does.
My assumption about foreigners joining combat is that Ukraine can enlist them into a militia and they are as legitimate as any other soldier.
I’ve looked for that story, all the news I can find says that they’ve only retaken part of it?
I got it from this channel: Severodonetsk
This guy has been pretty reliable in the past, so who knows? Maybe they’ve jumped the gun a bit in their analysis.? ISW says 20% regained with street fighting in the rest.
Ukraine is a big country with a big(ish) ex Soviet military that was rated way below Russia
The Russian 2014 invasion of Crimea didn't involve any fighting, just quiet insertion of extra troops into their existing bases welcomed by a majority-Russian population.
They seem to have had the same idea in 2022...
Ukraine learned a tough lesson in 2014, don't trust the Russians.
There's a lot of experience in Ukraine, the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau has been building armoured vehicles since the 1930s including the T64, T80 and T84 so a massive understanding of the shortcomings of the invaders, the necessary logistics, etc exists.
Ukraine has also been involved with members of NATO on exercises in various eastern European countries including in Ukraine (starting in 2010) and will have learnt plenty.
The Russians have been hugely over-rated by everyone for 40 years, Russia hasn't allowed a Vienna Document observation of any of their exercises and since 2014 NATO hasn't allowed practical co-operation with them
Do you think someone should explain to the manager of the Welsh team that going for the "world is against us" attitude with relation to their upcoming game with Ukraine is probably not in the best of taste?
Only the last time I checked, Wales is not at risk of being invaded by an insane neighbour (unless you count overweight Brits in camper vans climbing Snowdon for charity).
"It is a privilege to play Ukraine" might be a better tack than "this must be how Russia feels" (paraphrased!).
I got it from this channel:
Thanks! I'll check it out!
Summer boots needed for Stanislav, (our guys brother in law on front) size 42.
Are walking boots good enough or are ‘tactical’ ones special- steel toe cap or something.
Best place for army surplus?
@jkomo
I'm decades out of date but BITD the DMS boots had a leather toecap but weren't reinforced. The 1970s-1980s UK DMS boot was poor because the laceholes and tongue weren't gussetted and leaked, so many bought German para boots.
Different trades need different things from a boot. Google the pros and cons of surplus boot models to see what's good. Leaky unlined boots dry quicker. High boots can cause tendon problems, etc
Socks are at least as important in foot hygiene.
Modern, waterproof PPE boots could be usable and will be VAT-free
I used goretex lined boots and good insoles.
Waterproof, comfortable, supportive.
Another good source of daily info
Interesting! Not sure I like the sound of that politician who's taken charge of the frontline!
Modern, waterproof PPE boots could be usable and will be VAT-free
I bought some work boots from B&Q for £40 and they're superb, I've never bought anything anywhere near as good for the cash. I'd walk all day in them if I had to and not be bothered.
Thanks molgrips I’ll have a look.
I have these, they are on clearance now:
https://www.diy.com/departments/site-magma-men-s-black-safety-boots-size-10/5052931864782_BQ.prd
Lots more available though. I can go to my local stores and buy what stock they have if you like?
Has this thread turned into "what tyres boots for fighting in Ukraine"?
Kingfisher groups IT dept is based in Ukraine. The site Marble boots are already on special offer at screwfix.
There os a chance of further discount if a well worded letter is sent to head office. No harm in asking, they can only say no.
They look ok to me but i dont know what spec is reqd
Bloody criminal the amount of barely used boots that get chucked into cages at Quartermasters then sold to mil surplus companies.
Those work-boots would probably do the trick quite nicely. Some Military boots come with a slightly 'extra' price tag, often undeservedly so, a scene-tax if you will.
Karrimor, Magnum, Viper, Web-tex & Highlander are a few of the lower to middle brands you might be able to pick up some cheap military boots from.
Well if you were asking me I'd go with my trusty Lowa Zephyr mid GTX, but I ain't fighting in Ukraine so **** knows.
Has this thread turned into “what tyres boots for fighting in Ukraine”?
Thanks all, it’s probably easier if I just buy him some of those work ones. No need for a big buy, I can’t really get my head around another project.
The BBC has a small trickle of good news- there are reports that half of Severodonetsk had been retake, and another Russian Major General has been killed on the frontline
Does anyone know what happened in Kherson? A fre days ago this was the focus of a Ukrainian counterattack, but since then the news has been quiet
Small breakthrough by Ukraine, then it stalled, nothing much since.
