Why is the UK taking so long to send their tracked version of the Himars ? Why isn't the US sending 50 Himars instead tiny numbers like 4...
Being an "anti-war campaigner" is fine in theory if you view wars as being of the 1914-18 variety - big empires squaring up to each other and throwing shapes rather using diplomacy.
But Ukraine is an example of a brutal oppressor and criminal regime invading a much smaller country without warning or provocation. Saying that you are anti-war and pro-peace in that circumstance is completely meaningless.
There's a definite change in mood since the HIMARS got busy
Some say the Russians have only one last "lurch" left in them
Absolutely disgraceful, essentially promoting appeasement of a violent regime that has invaded it's sovereign neighbour.
She and her hubby would do well to dwell on the message in 'For What Died the Sons of Roisin?'
"Was it greed that drove Wolfe Tone to a pauper's death in a cell of cold wet stone?
Will German, French or Dutch inscribe the epitaph of Emmett?
When we have sold enough of Ireland to be but strangers in it
For what died the sons of Róisín, was it greed?
To whom do we owe our allegiance today?
To those brave men who fought and died that Róisín live again with pride?
Her sons at home to work and sing
Her youth to dance and make her valleys ring
Or the faceless men who for Mark and Dollar
Betray her to the highest bidder
To whom do we owe our allegiance today?"
Champagne Socialists First Class are our so called First Citizens. Hmpppph.
I had long feared what would happen if Russia planned some kind of D-day type of landing on the Odessa coastline
Based on recent history, they'll mostly end up on the bottom on the sea so happy days.
That might be true. However, by the time Ukraine is able to launch a significant offensive in multiple locations, Russia will have been able to fortify their defensive lines, making the job much, much harder for the liberating Ukrainian forces. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that Ukraine can, and ultimately will, win this war. And I expect at least Kherson to be liberated before the summer is out. However, to use a rather crude WW2 analogy, that won't be the 2022 equivalent for D-Day in this war. It'll be akin to taking Guadalcanal: A good first step, but there'll still be a long way to go.
By the way, I hope I'm wrong and we actually DO see a collapse of Russian forces all along the front, but they've turned out to be bloody resilient so far in this war, even with their piss-poor logistics.
In fairness it’s a long time since Russia retreated from around Kiev and descended into micro advances on the eastern front . So those two weeks predictions were not that wide of the mark.
If the effective strangulation of russian logistics can continue without russia being able to address it, Ukraine may well be correct here. Troops running out of food, fuel, ammunition aren't going to be in the best of shape.
Just two more weeks.
The UA head of intelligence said the main battles will be over by mid August. Germany and France need to send all the big guns they have straight away.
That has "it'll be over by Christmas" written all over it and we all know how well this aged in the past. Thinking that anything will be decided by August is going to be foolhardy in the extreme. Russia may have expended its offensive potential by then but Ukraine will still have to take back the occupied territory, which will be a long, hard slog, with no indication that the Russian forces are simply going to collapse once they're on the defensive. This isn't **** Command & Conquer or Call of Duty!
As far as Germany sending all big guns they have, get real! No major NATO country is going to significantly weaken their inventories whilst there is still the option of Russia opening another front and possibly engaging NATO directly. Kaliningrad in particular seems ripe for such a move. There's a reason why a German-led battlegroup is being stood up in the Baltic states. I suggest you read up on basic strategy, not expending all available reserves at once and basic logistics!
Champagne socialist wisdom from the leafy avenues for the benefit of us lesser peasants. It's complete bollocks but that's their agenda on the left. They think if a Western leaning side "gives up" everything is hunky dory. Had a well known leftie tell me he was "worried about the weapons", but reading his stuff since, it's all whataboutery, aren't mick & claire great, nato/pesco bad and so on. They're only worried about weapons that keep free people free. Think of all the pointless drivel articles they could write, petitions they could dream up, and hand wringing associations they could form if only MORE people were oppressed!
By that estimation they need to go shopping elsewhere. The UA head of intelligence said the main battles will be over by mid August. Germany and France need to send all the big guns they have straight away.
Seemingly Russian troops are getting so thin on the ground Odesa is out of the plan, unless there is general mobilization.
With Ukraine now having Harpoons I'd like to see them try it, moskva is lonely.
These guys can’t cross a river, they are not capable of a naval invasion especially since VDV (paratroopers) and Marines been most frontline fodder all this time and are the units with highest casualties
From that report, it seems certain that Russia is planning a sea-based attack on the South coast. The Russian plan, for now, is to take out anti-ship missiles. I had long feared what would happen if Russia planned some kind of D-day type of landing on the Odessa coastline. Putin likes his big 'show casy' stunts and a D-day landing is right up his street.
Sorry for the late reply. The answer to your question is dependent on how long the war lasts. If, for some reason, Russia collapses before the end of the year, they certainly won't be delivered in time. Remember, these are newbuilds and even if you start work on them right away, it'll likely take months for long-lead items like the gun barrel, breech, and other similar components to even be manufactured, let alone integrated into the system. With all the pre-work, I'd say we're looking at early Q2 2023 before the first new howitzer rolls of the production line. Given that I don't expect this war to be over anytime soon, there's unfortunately a good chance that some of these vehicles will roll straight from the assembly line into combat.
I don't know if this is real or a joke but it competes well with Laurel and Hardy
Good news
Chechny and Syria, I'm watching with great interest... but Kazakhstan is one to add to the watch list as well. Kadyrov is not the popular leader he claims to be....if Putin goes down, Kadyrov will not be far behind,,,and it will change the situation in Syria too. Isis may be gone as a force in Syria, but there are plenty more anti-Assad people there, not to mention the next door neighbor's, Turkey, Iraq, and of course Lebanon and Iranian influence. That' a very unstable part of the world there.
I'm too old so lucky too. Also played to many video games in later life. Unless jumping sideways with desert eagles is needed count me out. I do find it a bit disturbing now though watching the drone vids. It's really become like call of duty or something like that. Prob why younger Russians are signing up thinking it's just like that.
Yes, drones are the future, for sure. With the exception of the Russians, who don't mind a big body count, either from their own side, or Ukrainian, every other ( well nearly every other) Country trying to minimize the death toll of their military's. Long may you luck hold re war. To be avoided at all costs if possible.
fascinating read, til
That strategy worked out so well for Ukraine since the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances 🙄
CT hat on, But I wager there is a very good reason these drones are going out in so many numbers. Purley for operational testing purposes, Ukraine is an Ideal conflict. You have open war, Street to Street. siege, Armour column's. Everything and anything can be tested there. But one thing the Ukrainians seem very very good at using them and adapting them. Not saying they would not have been sent anyway. But it's a win win really. Cheap drones in large numbers seems to be the way forward now. Reapers my become a thing of the past or around in tiny numbers from now on. I mean how many Switchblades could you deploy for the cost of a hellfire. obvs not just the cost of the Missile but the platform time in the air fuel. Wager were going to see more stuff like drone swarms being used.
Given that we've taken in more than 40k displaced Ukrainian people, her intervention seems very naïve.
Not only that, but as spouse of a supposedly politically neutral head of state, she presumably feels she too should be neutral as between both sides. God, what a fool.
Yeah your right in regards the drones. Its making a huge difference and in the future wars they are going to play an even bigger role. No I'm lucky to never have been in a war situation.
What do they think the Muzzle brake is for lol 🤡
She's supposed to be an "anti-war campaigner" but this is no ordinary war - it's a clear example of an aggressive and expansionist regime attacking another country without warning or provocation.
I stopped reading the letter at "....at it was so welcome to read the deeply concerned and thought-out article by the historian Geoffrey Roberts"
No doubt the poor dear spent several days pondering the contents of that bull$hit letter as she struggles to cope with daily life in Áras an Uachtaráin at our expense.
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