Russia vs Ukraine critical assessment

[Vyn]

If some have pocketed the money there should be some rich motherfuckers in the military....which might be very possible. I think some evidence of money lost has already surfaced (ofcourse shot down by the russian propaganda machine quickly) on some news outlets.

I think Russia's military might has been grately exaggerated over the years and corruption has been going rampant and now they are paying the price for it...I think Putin himself had no or very little idea of the real state of their armed forces....that's what I'm thinking now anyways...

That's pretty much how I understand things regarding Russia's military.

Putin: "Here's a billion dollars to upgrade our military this year"

General A: "Yes, sir!" (pockets 250 million)
General A to Procurement Guy: "Here's 750 million dollars to upgrade our military this year"

Procurement Guy: "Yes, sir!" (pockets 250 million)
Procurement Guy to Sub-Military Commander: "Here's 500 million dollars to upgrade our military this year"

etc.

By the time it gets to the people doing the purchasing, five dollars was available for upgrading their military this year.

Putin to General A: "How's our military looking after you spent all that money?"

General A: "World's best, sir!"

Because you don't tell the guy who can turn you into a dismembered corpse in a suitcase that the thing he wanted done didn't get done because everyone is as corrupt as he is.

[Zzzptm]

Latest reports from Ukraine...

Ukrainians killed the 4th Russian general, Maj. Gen. Oleg Mityaev, commander of the 150th Motorized Rifle division.

Russians are cremating bodies of soldiers from Donetsk People's Republic. That's something done so as to avoid paying out death benefits and to mask the number of casualties.

Ukrainian forces have started a counter-offensive northwest of Kyiv.

Russian advances on Kyiv and Kharkiv remain stalled.

A Russian invasion force is making its way towards Odessa, waiting for minesweepers to finish clearing channels for them.

[Zzzptm]

A very solid analysis of Russian military performance in Ukraine, including references to Syrian actions, Ukrainian tactics, and Russian responses to the failure of the plans for quick conquest.

[Vyn]

A very solid analysis of Russian military performance in Ukraine, including references to Syrian actions, Ukrainian tactics, and Russian responses to the failure of the plans for quick conquest.

Link, or it didn't happen!

[Zzzptm]

Whoops!

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20220318.aspx

[Vyn]

Another article discussing some facts versus fiction regarding this nasty business:

https://spectator.org/whats-really-happening-in-ukraine/?fbclid=IwAR0bEwbNT9m-VKTaIslHlBV9lj8L-0_ATAz0_wST31291dTbzSxvh_G7qQM

[Zzzptm]

^ Good article that begs the question of sooner rather than later. But if Russia's army continues to fall apart before our eyes, is there a chance that it's a never?

The area under Russian control today is scarcely different from the area under control last week. Given that the attack was actually led by their *best* troops and the second/third echelon forces doing border guard duty are much worse off in terms of equipment and supplies, this is not an army that's ready for force projection beyond the limited operations against much smaller and less-treatied-up nations on Russia's periphery.

But I'd like to see perhaps Georgia brought into NATO. That would let Putin know exactly where the West is willing to stand: right on his front porch, staring through the peephole. Getting Sweden and Finland in also sends the message that we acknowledge the Russian threat, and we are united against it. As soon as the current war is over, Ukraine should be brought into NATO.

[Typhon]

Some videos have been posted of former military personnel (from US, Canada, England) who volunteered to go over and fight with the Ukrainians.  They are claiming that the Ukraine army is forcing them to fight without proper weapons, placing them in high target positions, and not allowing them to leave if they want to.  Perhaps the Ukraine military aren't a bunch of angels either.

[Vyn]

Some videos have been posted of former military personnel (from US, Canada, England) who volunteered to go over and fight with the Ukrainians.  They are claiming that the Ukraine army is forcing them to fight without proper weapons, placing them in high target positions, and not allowing them to leave if they want to. 

They wanted to feel like saviors, and I guess they are being treated like The Savior was...

Perhaps the Ukraine military aren't a bunch of angels either.

I'm sure they aren't angels. But, who says they are? War is hell.

[Zzzptm]

Some more info on volunteering for Ukraine from Sandboxx, a US active duty/veterans' community: https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/what-foreign-volunteers-need-to-know-to-fight-for-ukraine/

The part about "forced to fight" vs a Times of Israel article that cites lack of weaponry, but overall high morale: https://www.timesofisrael.com/many-of-ukraines-foreign-fighters-have-no-guns-or-training-but-are-ready-to-help/

It's definitely in Russian interests to promote Ukrainian problems, as it is in pro-Ukrainian interests to report generally good things. So I like to find guys like this reporter: https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/stalled-russian-troops-beg-for-food/ Independent, on the ground, interesting story... and the Russians are the ones with the biggest under-equipment and bad morale story, overall. Like Vyn said, war is hell. And the Sandboxx article does point out that the Ukrainian gov't recommended bringing one's own armor, weapons, and uniform - though the site also recommended against using a US service uniform for conflict in Ukraine.

[Typhon]

Some videos have been posted of former military personnel (from US, Canada, England) who volunteered to go over and fight with the Ukrainians.  They are claiming that the Ukraine army is forcing them to fight without proper weapons, placing them in high target positions, and not allowing them to leave if they want to. 

They wanted to feel like saviors, and I guess they are being treated like The Savior was...

Perhaps the Ukraine military aren't a bunch of angels either.

I'm sure they aren't angels. But, who says they are? War is hell.

Sure, war is hell, but you don't treat your allies like enemies.

[Vyn]

Sure, war is hell, but you don't treat your allies like enemies.

Ha! That's true.

[Zzzptm]

Not surprised Dore would go with that angle. He's been a Kremlin supporter for years. What you got there on the YouTube is some pro-Russian propaganda.

[Jack the Stripper]

How anyone can support Putin’s Russia is beyond me.

[Zzzptm]

How anyone can support Putin’s Russia is beyond me.

Quislings, that's the word for them.