Irony.....
Lots more of this needed. If the West had any balls, and would supply Ukraine with the weapons it needs, this war would be over already.
Hard to see this war ending within the next 2 years really. They aren't going to give Ukraine any real aircraft or armour at this stage that could make the difference I'm surprised Russia doesn't just consolidate what they have and look for peace.
They aren't being allowed to. Simples.
As they have had a taste of being on the front foot I don't believe Ukraine will settle for less than pre-2014 borders, return of it's children & other citizens, a whole heap of reparations, and more. With what they're getting they can keep grinding away, eroding russia's abilities. But, long range weapons would allow this process to happen a lot faster. It would be better for the world as a whole.
I'm unsure why they aren't getting these weapons, be it a deal with China to stay out of it, fear of technology falling into adversary's hands, political timidity, or something else completely.
russia successfully intercepts a Ukrainian drone with one of it's strategic bombers
I wouldn't say they are on the front foot. They are still in danger of losing Bakhmut and Russia will be regrouping for the coming year again This war will go on for years unless something happens to Putin.
Wait for the effect of proper Winter on russian forces. They're already dying of hypothermia. Ukraine just needs to keep russian soldiers out in the field.
Bakhmut is still holding. russian regrouping, like what, mobilising more cannon fodder? Not going to be terribly popular back home and the prison populations is already down 25%. The US says russia is using ammunition faster that it can be produced.
As for putrid, we'll see, I don't believe much of anything coming out of russia so the "leaked" polling and TV nonsense can be taken with a boatload of salt.
Wait for the effect of proper Winter on russian forces. They're already dying of hypothermia.
Are the Ukranians immune to the cold or something?
No. That would be stupid. But their higher ups have supplied them with the necessary clothing, equipment.
contrast that with the Mobiks own videos 🥶🥶🥶
No but they have been supplied with the best of winter gear and equipment from NATO forces.
Russia could not even supply there soldiers with weapons and body armour. At this stage the Russian ate dependent on grunt's on the ground to hold the front. They have had little or no time to prepare defensive position not to mind winter positions.
Ukraine will have been constantly supplied over the last couple of months with NATO winter equipment and even from non NATO countries like Finland and Sweden.
Expect 20-30k Russian soldiers literally to freeze to death over the next few months.
Also local populations would be with the Ukraine troops and not the Russians in many cases
Surely of all armies the Russians know a thing or two about winter warfare too. It's going to be just as rough on the Ukrainians living out in trenches. When or if any real numbers come out of the numbers killed it will be similar for both sides.
It won't be similar for both sides. russia doesn't appear to much care for it's soldiers nor provide for them. There are videos circulating of groups of russians in trenches who fail to react or react only very slowly to drones dropping grenades on them. Give it time and you will see.
No matter how well used you are to the low temperatures you are dealing with sub 20C when you are dealing with warfare winter equipment is crucial.
It's a bit liking climbing Everest you cannot compromise on equipment. The one thing we have seen in this war is that NATO equipment is top class. On the other side we have seen poorly maintained equipment on the Russian side and a lack of often even basic gear.
If there First Aid kits were half empty or not available, if the ratio were out of date, if they had rusty guns or no guns, as well as no sleeping bags etc back in August or tent stoves, we can take it for granted that winter equipment for sub 20C will not be available either.
Russian troops barely managed last year before the war started in staging camps before the war started, I will be surprised if this winter is not a total disaster for the Russian army
Yeah, you’re probably right. They’ll neck some vodka and ride bears bare chested into battle.
There's a reason why no reporters are allowed near the front line and are forbidden from reporting anything about Ukrainian casualties. Plenty videos coming out of Ukrainian soldiers fighting for their lives in trenches with no hope of escaping. It's battle of the bulge stuff over there on the front line.
The international legion over there are trying to organise they're own winter gear because NATO has only supplied a fraction of the winter gear needed in Ukraine and apart from the US NATO has supplied very little of anything of what's needed. There's years left in this war the way it's going now and if Russia got the likes of the Chinese to supply them anything could happen.
Timely interjection by everyone's second favourite war criminal bemoaning the state of the armed forces of the russian federation 😂
No one seems to have told Matthew Chance
Just enough to keep the American public on board Sounds like they've worn out the artillery and need some fresh stuff.
Your theory that reporters aren't allowed to the front was incorrect, Bakhmut is about as front as it get's right now.
As for artillery, there are time issues with repairs whatever the situation of ammunition. What I do know is even with a deficit in numbers, Western supplied artillery is more accurate with a higher rate of fire so will be more effective. Ukrainians don't appear to fear russian counter battery fire, nor do they appear to fear the russian airforce with so much vehicle movement during the day time.
russia loses this war once Western support of Ukraine continues, with more Western support russia loses faster which would be a much better situation for everyone. Flagship sunk, ports attacked, strategic bridge bent, nuclear bomber bases attacked, reclamation of territory, Ukraine's in it to win it.
If it's just my theory why did both CNN and SKY have reporters expelled from Ukraine last month. Any interviews with Ukrainian soldiers I've seen all say the same thing Russia has more men and artillery. They have a long road ahead to push Russia out
This has rather been done to death. russia has quantity, not quality. Quantity has a quality of it's own, but not so great when that current quality is so abysmally low. Ukraine from day one of the war has retained tight operational security around what it's armed forces is doing and rightly so. Loose lips sink ships, like the moskva.......
So much for the US not doing deals with terrorists. Putin must be rubbing his hands about how easy he got his man back.
What's going on
Prisoner exchange
Viktor Bout exchanged for Brittney Griner
Ah yes. Forgot that was announced yesterday. Should have left her there
He's an arms dealer, they can catch him again if he sets foot outside Russia. Whereas she is back forever.
Yeah not a good swap on paper, but it's good on principle. Pity they couldn't get Whelan as well, but the Russians won't budge on him. Real politik is not pretty, but would rather she was out for whatever scumbag than in a Russian penal colony being used as a spectacle
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://w9.vanillicon.com/v2/99cb88aba86d6cd761548c5d5bb50f6a.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://we.vanillicon.com/v2/eedacf599b4135dfd56d6fdbddcbd867.svg)
