There are reports that Putin has told his generals he wants a large-scale offensive in the spring. It sounds like Ukraine wants to have NATO tanks in time to help repel that offensive, then to spearhead a counter-offensive.
https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1619160066103427072
https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1619554628714074112
Not sure, article said something about them only being used to secure certain areas, where they can be easily recovered.
They even spoke about a forming a unit solely for recovery, especially in front line conditions.
But I dont know, understandable given how secret the new armour is.
Is it not also about recovering damaged tanks? Western doctrine is the safety of the crew and if a tank is disabled then the crew will sit tight and wait for recovery, like this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2908679.stm Sgt Baird in understatement of 2003 said: "It was quite an experience."
Recovery of a MBT that can weigh up to 75T is no mean feat https://rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/vehicle_systems/armoured_tracked_vehicles/crarrv/index.php
You've only got 14 tanks and fewer recovery vehicles, which are also needed to perform maintenance and repairs on other MBTs so you want it to be as safe and easy as possible
There are reports that Putin has told his generals he wants a large-scale offensive in the spring. It sounds like Ukraine wants to have NATO tanks in time to help repel that offensive, then to spearhead a counter-offensive.
There's a window of opportunity before the spring thaw and rain; an early offensive is unlikely to achieve much given its short timescale, but that must be a temptation knowing that delay will lead to trained Ukrainian MBT crews supported by armour and infantry. That decision will depend on whether the yet-again-newly-appointed RF military commanders tell the truth in the sack and blame culture
Former Chair of NATO's Military Committee and a former paratrooper, retired general Petr Pavel has been elected president of the Czech Republic and will take over in March.
70% voter turn-out and he doesn't have the same opinions on Russia as the current Czech president (who had a late epiphany during Russia's invasion of Ukraine).
An impressive career https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petr_Pavel
Reports of explosions at several arms factories (making shaheed drones?) in Iran. Also footage of a drone being shot down in Iran. Responsibility is unclear.
Kurds / Israel being blamed by Iran. seems unlikely its ukraine
AnY Twitter links guys?
I can't see anything on the BBC/ CNN.
^^ Cheers!
There’s been plenty of rumours that Iran swapped drones/missiles for uranium/nuclear tech with Russia. Esfahan has long been a site for the Iranian nuclear programme. I know who my money is on!!
I know who my money is on!!
Careless smoking incident, innit.
Great article in the Wall Street Journal about a massive armaments repair facility in Poland which is working around the clock to repair and refurbish damaged Ukrainian armour and artillery before shipping it back to Ukraine. Factory technicians are also in direct contact with people on the ground giving them assistance in carrying out their own repairs in theatre.
Another of many examples of Poland punching way above its weight in supporting Ukraine.
Paywalled unfortunately.
Anyone catch the 1st Episode of Putin vs The West last night ?
Really well put together documentary. Really unnerving seeing what this madman is like and how he operates.
Yep. The fact we allow them to swan around buying up half of europe is mind blowing really.
Which has raised a query, how much of that has since been siezed/frozen?
Which has raised a query, how much of that has since been siezed/frozen?
I can confidently answer "not as much as we might have hoped"...
Anyone catch the 1st Episode of Putin vs The West last night?
Yeah, comes across as a cold psychopath. He's also surrounded by like-minded thugs.
Anyone catch the 1st Episode of Putin vs The West last night?
yep, watched the first and second episode and half of the third.
Little man suffering from SPS and delusions of grandeur, hiding behind an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Comes across as a complete 🔔🔚 who likes threatening people to get his own way.
Typical dicktator.
Putting the 'tater into dicktator since 1999
Watch out, Putin's about, watch out, Putin's about... You better watch out... Putin's about!
Another day another veiled thread of nuclear Armageddon.
"Those who hope to defeat Russia on the battlefield do not understand, it seems, that a modern war with Russia will be very different for them," the 70-year-old leader said. "We are not sending our tanks to their borders, but we have the means to respond. It won't be limited to the use of armoured hardware. Everyone must understand this."
Loving the spin on the tanks being sent too.
"It's unbelievable but true," he said. "We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64502504
However, certainly looks plausible that Russia might make some renewed offensive on the one year anniversary of the start of the invasion. Ukraine saying that Russia has gathered 500,000 men for the offensive...
……..with what equipment???? Their elite troops fell apart 50km into Ukraine last spring, so what are they expecting to happen this time?
Equipped with kitchen knives, building site helmets, wooly jumpers and vodka.
They didn't have any modern weapons for the last round of conscription so won't be able to equip a regiment properly.
We are again being threatened by leopard tanks. Anyone care to point out the glaringly obvious reply
Firstly. You started it midget man.
Secondly. You weren't being threatened by leopards before invading Ukraine, so its all on you buddy.
Standard Russian victim complex.
We are not sending our tanks to their borders
No, but you are sending your borders to our tanks
We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks.
When was the last time Russia was threatened by Leopard tanks?
I take consolation that at some point in the future, Putin, Lavrov, Medvedev et al will die. I hope I make it to see that time. For now, as I think I have mentioned before, I wish them a happy hospice and palliative care.
Talk of a boycott of the Paris olympics is gaining momentum after the IOC said Russians and Belarusians can compete as independent athletes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/64503198
^^ Yeah, I saw that. Sod the Olympic committee. I love watching the Olympics but Russian/ Belarusian athletes just shouldn't be allowed to compete, full stop.
When was the last time Russia was threatened by Leopard tanks?
I think Germany did produce an armoured vehicle called the leopard during WW2 but no idea whether it was used on the Eastern front or whatever.
But yeah, the shit Russia is spouting isn't even worth fact checking it's so removed from reality.
BBC News - Ukraine war: US to provide long-range missiles in latest aid package
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64518532
Does anyone know a bit more detail about what this means? I know that Ukraine has been asking for ATACMS for a long time, and this does not look like that, so what is it, what are the main differences and how useful is it likely to be?
These, apparently.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-rocket-powered-bomb-would-double-ukraines-strike-range-2023-02-01/
Does anyone know a bit more detail about what this means?
"(BRIGADIER) GEN(ERAL PAT) RYDER: So — thanks for the question, Joe. So — so yes, as part of the USAI package, we will be providing Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs to Ukraine. This gives them a longer-range capability – long-range fires capability that will enable them, again, to conduct operations in defense of their country and to take back their sovereign territory in Russian-occupied areas." Full briefing here... https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3288141/pentagon-press-secretary-brig-gen-pat-ryder-holds-an-on-camera-press-briefing/
The longer-range capability stretches to Crimea so Russian logistics will be under threat in most of the occupied Luhansk/Donetsk region
The full package is in two parts; one from US military stock and one from Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds... https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3287992/biden-administration-announces-additional-security-assistance-for-ukraine/
The GLSDB is USAI, which will come from industry and SAAB-Boeing originally said that they could deliver in Spring '23.
The two major GLSDB components are stock items in many NATO countries, the new bit is the interface to enable the rocket and bomb sections to work together. They can be fired from the M270 and M142 launchers that Ukraine already has, although I don't know if these will need some modification.
As far as I'm aware ATACMS is not on the table for Ukraine, but Abrams weren't a few weeks ago either 🙂
In WWII German tanks were Tigers and Panthers (plus others) but no leopards - they also had Puma armoured cars.
When was the last time Russia was threatened by Leopard tanks?
I think Germany did produce an armoured vehicle called the leopard during WW2 but no idea whether it was used on the Eastern front or whatever.
There were no Leopards in WW2.
I think the Russians would claim they were threatened by Leopard tanks during the Cold War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_combat_vehicles_of_World_War_II
There were no Leopards in WW2.
None manufactured, but there were plans to make a light reconnaissance AFV bearing the Leopard name and designs were produced. The project got canned in 1943.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/VK_16.02_Leopard
https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-send-leopard-tanks-ukraine-russia-war-rheinmetall/
REALLY, 88, from Germany, surely they could have found another to avoid that number!!!!
In case anyone is unfamiliar with the meaning, https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/88
^^ 😲 Oops!
Good news though, despite the inadvertent (I hope) dodgy symbolism! Older Leo 1s though, but will still be put to good use I'm sure.
This really is a proxy NATO war now. I am worried that Putin will go “**** it, I’m all in” on the 24th.
Good news though, despite the inadvertent (I hope) dodgy symbolism!
They're just numbers, both Germany and the UK supplied 14 MBTs, which has symbolic meaning for some.
Germany ordered 44 L2 A6 for Panzerbataillone 363 as one of two batallions in Panzergrenadierbrigade 37, presumably a total of 90 (with two Buffel recovery vehicles)
I'm sure that the numbers will be seized upon, after all, the first casualty in war is the truth (see Leopard/WW2 discussion^^) 🙂
My understanding is that 14 tanks make up a convenient unit, which is why we're seeing so many multiples of 14 or so (nothing wrong with a couple of spares lol)
https://youtube.com/shorts/olrCX2_XbLk?feature=share
This really is a proxy NATO war now
I would argue it always was, which I don't view as a necessarily negative thing, it's just how geopolitics work
It would have been a Proxy War against NATO regardless of western support as it’s (to a degree you could argue about) meant to strengthen Russias hand against the west/NATO long term.
It would have been a Proxy War against NATO regardless of western support as it’s (to a degree you could argue about) meant to strengthen Russias hand against the west/NATO long term
Yep, latest round of the Great Game I guess
