Merkava tanks maybe on the way (or used as backfill to allow other tanks to be sent to Ukraine)
Poland is spending far more on advanced and proven precision systems like F35, Himars than on artillery systems, and its unclear what ammunition is going to be purchased for the K9s, most probably guided and/or extended range shells.
The point being that NATO does not share the same philosophy that Russia, and to a lesser extent Ukraine, do, which is that you get massive amounts of shells and you destroy vast areas in the hopes of hitting something of military value. GMLRS rockets, together with superior ISR, has been able to seriously hamper Russian logistics, and if Ukraine had a NATO airforce their logistics would be completely destroyed.
In a hypothetical war between Russia and Poland, Poland would not make and fire 50,000 shells or whatever it is the Russians do, because they wouldnt need to.
So I disagree that the failure to produce enough shells is due to slow European decision making. Its because European armies simply dont expect to expend such vast amounts of unguided shells in future conflicts. Maybe they should, and thats a separate argument in a way, certainly they have relied on US stockpiles a bit too much, but they just dont want or need vast amounts of unguided shells, any more than they dont want or need millions of bayonettes!
A good analogy would be if Australia made a promise to provide winter gear to Ukraine. They would struggle to fulfill any pledges because they just dont need winter gear themselves, and when the wars over its not simply a case of pressing a button to stop the production line.
If you still dont believe me, think about this - if you were Mateusz Morawiecki would you rather use those billions of Zloti to set up a huge factory in Poland to make dumb munitions, employing thousands of Polish people and giving you defense autonomy, or would you rather give it to US, Korean and German manufacturers?
Hard to believe that Uke has ,to some extent , the same strategy/philosophy re conducting a war/battle. I thought that Uke with much, much, much less soldiers and equipment were able to shu The Russians out of Kiev and work them ALLthe way back to the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts. And Uke is , IMO, deeply aware that it must use what it has very sparingly and economically .
I wonder what would the Americans do DIFFERENTLY if it was in Ukrain’s shoes with the same manpower and equipment or for that matter France, Germany Spain, etc.?
Of course it's capable of change. Russia is blessed with a massive wealth of resources that should make it one of the wealthiest nations on earth, instead power and wealth is hoarded by a selfish few. They just need leadership no different than any other nation on earth. Russians seem to be painted by some on here as a type of monster, ive seen the word orc used to describe them for instance but this is pure hogwash and nonsensical.
Really interesting if true
@odyssey06 Russia is nuclear and WMD armed and if it thinks it is danger of suffering a 'killer blow' from Ukraine or NATO may resort to their use.
The west has had high level meetings with the Russians and they warned them that if they use certain weapons they will be severely punished. What those punishments are we don't know but Russia will lose the war for sure if they use those weapons.
sorry link doesn't appear for some reason
Russia may also have advised on their red lines too ... and if they think the 'severe punishment' is on a par with the 'killer blow' some people wish Ukraine to deliver. Well, why wait?
There is leadership but if it/they are lucky they are in jail otherwise they are 6 feet down. Anyone who is even THINKING of putting their heads above the proverbial parapet it will be immediately ‘ chopped off’. You need only look at the lady who held up a blank piece of paper on a stick in Moscow a few months ago was ‘ arrested.. IMO , the barriers towards change are insurmountable because at least FIVE sides must agree on a basic strategy towards a democracy / a more equal society / or whatever , Namely :- Putins/ his replacement inner circle, the olegarcs, the security /secret service, the army and Wagner and similar groups. They all have a certain amount of sway/power and can probably thwart any move to change because of loss of wealth, power, tradition
r groups
You think the Russians haven't issued warnings too? There's mutual deterrence here as always
I think this is it Netherlands to supply 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine (aa.com.tr)
So Russia has a choice - destruction or hang on and see how it goes.
Have you tried nexium for the gut 😄
It would make zero sense that Nato would start some secret training program for Ukrainian pilots when we are still in the position of nobody has currently offered any of their F16s to go to ukraine,we had this previously with the secret A10 warthog training program in las Vegas which turned out to be some lad with ties to Ukraine flying a few Ukrainians over to fly A10 warthog games on PCs before been sent home,then it was F18s didn't happen,and back to f16s, one thing for sure is there won't be any Ukrainian F16s flying in October
Are American boots on the ground in Ukraine?
The American's would say no.
At 23.20 onwards in this footage ( read the English subtitles), I would say, probably....
Extraordinary stuff. Bit of a blooper.
Well, the ball is in Russia's court. Let's see what they do.
I seen reference to the "Americans", but I didn't want to watch it all TBH. Could you give a brief rundown?
Always assumed there were Americans there but off the books so to say, is this video showing proof of troops there outside Ukraine's international legion?
Plenty of Americans fighting with Ukraine. Plenty of all sorts of nationalities. Anybody with military experience is welcome to go and volunteer to fight for Ukraine.
Oh yes, I know of course. But in the context of the dialogue, it seemed like they were referring to US troops, purely in the context of the conversation.
Maybe not, but intriguing nonetheless as, you can bet on it, the Russians could size upon it as "proof" that they are indeed fighting NATO troops. It would be interesting if they do....
While in a firefight, around 23.30 mark, there is a reference over the radio between Ukranian troops, to send a unit to " help the Americans evacuate ", and there is a back and forth regarding this on the walkies.
I feel like this battle in the south is going to be the decisive make or break battle this summer possibly for both sides. It feels like the first time both sides are going at it fully head on.
At the start of the war Ukraine was retreating before Ukraine caught them off guard in kharkiv and had a major advantage in Kherson.
Then you had the winter and Russia all out attack in the East with Ukraine in defence.
But now Ukraine are attacking in the south and it feels like Russia are not just in defence here but meeting them head on.
If Russia can hold out it will give them confidence but if Ukraine make the breakthrough the Russian morale will be deflated after trying everything and still failing.
Probably a group of foreign volunteers (volunteers from particular nations often group together). From the leaks it appears there are some US/UK special forces and experts on the ground in Ukraine but likely they are there in advisory function, I'd doubt they are on the front line in the trenches.
As for the video, equally exhausting and terrifying front-line work, thank god for drones and good comms.
Probably there within the international legion but I always assumed some of the Americans fighting there did so in an unofficial official capacity. Seems like a no-brainer to plant a solid source of info on the ground but i'm sure they would be on their own if things got heavy.
Israel to sell 200 merkva tanks to two unnamed European countries pending US permission,the latest rumors is these tanks could well be delivered to ukraine,
Currently only a rumour but this is social media after all ,
Interesting that neutral Israel could sell weapons to Europe that would then be passed on to Ukraine, but Switzerland will not.
Israel aren't neutral but a lot of there equipment has a lot of American tech involved, they have programs to modernise the Soviet era Hind gunships and tanks
Totally different politics. The majority of the world hate's Israel's guts (TBF, largely for the actions reflected by the IDF and that whole can of worms), whereas Switzerland is where everyone comes to launder their vast horde of wealth they extracted from the economies of other countries. Switzerland has very different calculus for what it does.
He will definitely fall out of a window.
He's a hoot.
I wonder if he's considering his future (or lack of) in Russia and planning to defect. Scratch a back with information and have his scratched in return by the west. I can't see a bright future for him in a world where Russia succeeds, and if they don't he's at the mercy of the Ukrainians? He's a lose/lose in front of him I think, maybe he's looking out for number 1.
Edit: although, there seems to be a numbers of videos online from more reputable sources with audio/translation carrying a very different tone and message. Is this version legit?
oh and
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