Ukraine war mega thread

[Switch]

^ You bumbling idiot. Oil prices are driven by demand. During Covid-19 there was significantly reduced global demand. Your adherence to Chinese politics has blinded you - yet again.

[bsnub]

Your adherence to Chinese politics has blinded you - yet again.

He is a massive level buffoon and his posts are not even worth reading. The Three Stooges are utter imbeciles and complete clowns who cling to fake news and propaganda to push their false narratives.

[bsnub]

The first video of the badass French "Caesar" mobile artillery piece being used in combat!

[bsnub]

The world is fighting for Ukraine. It is simple. Good vs evil...

[bsnub]

Lots of good English in that vid. An American woman and an Aussie. Superb vid guys.

[OhOh]

Pentagon chief’s remarks show US won’t hesitate to abandon its pawns


By Global Times Published: May 24, 2022 10:43 PM

"This is Ukraine's fight. It's not the US' fight." This is how US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin answered on the Russia-Ukraine war at a press conference Monday. "At the end of the day, what end state looks like will be defined by the Ukrainians, and not by us," he added.

Experts told the Global Times Ukraine is in a relatively passive situation on the battlefield. According to Chinese military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping, Russian troops' victory in Mariupol is a major turning point. "The US is watching closely and anxiously the development of the war, as the situation is favoring Russia," he noted.

Austin's remarks appear to respect the Ukrainian people's right to "determine their own destiny" in the war, but his words imply the attitude that Washington has been holding since the beginning of the military conflict: It is trying to avoid direct involvement in the war as much as possible.

"The US is trying to portray the conflict as a war between Russia and Ukraine so that it can take itself out as much as possible," said Zhang Tengjun, deputy director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

"Washington is not ready to confront Moscow head-on, so what Austin tries to highlight is to avoid sending a wrong signal to Russia that may trigger a larger conflict between the two," Zhang added.

Song said Austin's remarks demonstrated that the US is attempting to pass the buck. That is, if the Ukrainian troops lose the war, it has nothing to do with the US. "Such a shameless statement means the country can abandon its allies and partners any time it wants," he added.

In this ongoing war, the US or NATO is using Ukraine as its proxy against Russia. When the proxy is in an unfavorable state, the US starts to keep its distance from it. Once it fails to accomplish its goals, the proxy will be abandoned like a piece of waste paper.

By stating the Ukrainian crisis is a matter for the Ukrainians (and the Russians), the Biden administration also refuses to acknowledge that his country is very much behind the creation of the crisis.

But since the US and its core Western allies have already chosen to fully support Ukraine diplomatically and provide it with arms and financial aid, it is clear that they have already taken one side. If they want to stay out of this matter, they should have done so in the first place. It is quite absurd for them to act as if the war has nothing to do with them.

In fact, the US and the West definitely have an idea of what the "end state" looks like: They want Russia to be heavily defeated by Ukraine with their assistance. To make this come true, the US and NATO have put Ukraine, which is neither a US ally nor a NATO member, in a position where it has to continue to fight, even if it means "fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian," even if the country and its people are already covered with wounds and scars.

Austin's statement must have dealt a direct blow to those who support "Taiwan independence," because it turns out if you are a pawn of the US, you will end up being cannon fodder.

For the US, nothing can override its interests."

Pentagon chief’s remarks show US won’t hesitate to abandon its pawns - Global Times

[Troy]

^ The title doesn't reflect the content of the article.

Click bait

[bsnub]

The title doesn't reflect the content of the article.

Click bait

Typical of the poster, but it is just Chinese propaganda anyway.

[David48atTD]

Good bit @ the 1.15 min mark

[David48atTD]

Where are a couple of SAMs when you need them?

[Troy]

^ The more I look at the Russian HUD, the more I prefer it, especially when there is no outside horizon. It is just more intuitive and easier to assimilate when under pressure.

Ukraine are losing out in the Donbas, it is only a matter of time before the Russians take it completely. It's been a brave defence but it will fall. Will Putin stop there and convince his public that it is a victory and the intention all along?

[Iceman123]

Yep, the Ukrainians have been brave but will lose in the Donbas.

I think Putin will stop there, his confidence must have taken a hit.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Yep, the Ukrainians have been brave but will lose in the Donbas.

I think Putin will stop there, his confidence must have taken a hit.

I think in the end when all is said and done , the Ukrainians will sign the same deal that was available before the war started , both sides will declare victory, and a lot of innocent people would have lost their lives and property for nothing.
I could be wrong, but that's what I think.

[David48atTD]

From this clip below a screen shot, apparently the Russians have the military advantage in this contest ...

^ Surprised at that weight comparison. Doesn't seem correct. they left a "0" of the end

I've got it here @ 28,200 kg combat weight ... 2S5 Giatsint Giatsint-S 152mm self-propelled gun data pictures | Russia Russian army vehicles system artillery UK | Russia Russian army military equipment vehicles UK

Plus that firing rate seems stretched. In reality it states that "The 2S5 can be ready to fire in less than 3 minutes and is able to have a maximum rate of fire of 5 to 6 rds/min" ... "maximum" ... doesn't mention durability. Probably can for a minute or two before the muzzle gets super heated.

Howitzers can also fire at that rate, 5 to 6 rds/min for a short period.

[Neverna]

^ I would think that another advantage of that Russian gun over the M777 is that it is self-propelled. It doesn't have to be towed by a truck like the M777 does.

[OhOh]

I think Putin will stop there,

Another's opinion:

Posted on May 25, 2022 by M. K. BHADRAKUMAR

Ukraine after 90 days of war

"The Western narrative that Russia is facing defeat at the hands of the Ukrainian military is falling apart. The contrived narrative that Ukraine was “winning” made Kiev delusional which in turn created conditions for Washington and London to extend the war and incrementally enter into it laterally and turn it into a war of attrition against Russia.

But the compelling reality is that the Russian forces are steadily seizing the upper hand in the Battle for Donbass. The Ukrainian Defence Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that “the most active phase” of the Russian special operation has begun in Donbass. In military terms, Russian forces face the daunting task of taking over the best-fortified areas of Ukraine, which have been carefully preparing for this battle for seven years. But on the other hand, after their triumphant victory in Mariupol, Russian forces have the wind on their sail.

Looking back through the past 3-month period, Russia’s topmost priority has been to establish a land corridor to
Crimea and put in place the economic underpinnings for the region’s development. That objective stands fulfilled. It is from such a viewpoint that the current operation in Donbass needs to be understood. Ukraine and its Western allies are pinning hopes that the sanctions will eventually exhaust Russia’s military and economic potential.

But life is real. By the World Bank estimates, Ukraine’s economy may shrink by 45 percent by the end of 2022. The talk of a major Ukrainian counter-offensive later this year bolstered by the heavy weaponry from Western allies, will remain a pipe dream. Kiev may not even have sufficient manpower to wage a war by the end of the year. Russia is a formidable enemy and Kiev may be risking an abject surrender on humiliating terms in the downstream of the Battle for Donbass.

The Russian forces are now close to establishing full control of the Luhansk region of Donbass. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern region admitted on Tuesday that “The Russians are advancing in all directions at the same time; they brought over an insane number of fighters and equipment.” The situation is looking increasingly precarious for the Ukrainian forces. (Listen to the podcast The Battlefields of the Donbass and Beyond, War on the Rocks)

The key signposts are Popasnaya and Severodonetsk in Donbass and the city of Izyumjust to the north in the Kharkiv region. Popasnaya and Izyum are under Russian control already while Russian troops entered Severodonetsk yesterday.
The Russian forces are currently expanding their control zone around Popasnaya to its north, west and south; they have approached the outskirts of the city of Severodonetsk; and have resumed their advance to the west and south of Izyum.
Latest reports are that assault groups from Popasnaya are heading west towards Bakhmut, which is a strategic hub for Kiev to replenish its forces in the eastern region. The highway between Bakhmut and Lisichansk is within firing range of Russian forces and military supplies to the Ukrainian grouping in Severodonetsk and Lisichansk have become problematic.

As for Izyum, in the area of Liman to its south (west of Severodonetsk), Russian forces have surrounded the Ukrainian forces. The Russian forces entered Severodonetsk city yesterday and there is street fighting going on.

Severodonetsk is a highly strategic asset for both sides. An estimated 15-16 thousand Ukrainian servicemen are deployed there, who are being reinforced. If Russian forces succeed in trapping and destroying the Ukrainian forces between Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, Kiev’s ability to contest the eastern Donbas region will be seriously weakened.

On Monday, Russian forces succeeded in destroying all but one bridge into Severodonetsk, threatening to cut the city off from supplies and reinforcements. A retreat and regrouping by the Ukrainian forces seems too late. The big picture is rather grim. The National Interest magazine assessed the developing situation as follows:
“The coming battle could prove decisive to the course of the Kremlin’s Donbass campaign. Russian control over the eastern Donbas region would cut Ukraine off from the areas comprising its industrial heartland and fulfil the Kremlin’s key strategic goal of establishing a secure land bridge to Crimea.
“If Russia’s military successfully traps and destroys the Ukrainian forces between Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, they will significantly degrade Ukraine’s ability to contest the eastern Donbas region. It is unclear if Ukrainian military units in the Severodonetsk salient are considering plans to retreat further westward in order to avoid potential Russian envelopment.”

The next big target in the Russian sights is Slovyansk. Controlling it would enable Russian forces to drive west and link up with the forces pushing south-east of Izyum. The objective is to control the supply lines by road and block Ukrainian access to rail routes from the west. Ten Ukrainian brigades were deployed in the east when the war began in February, which were regarded as the best-equipped and best-trained soldiers that Kiev has.
Indeed, the fall of Mariupol to the Russian military represents a turning point. Russia now has a land corridor to Crimea and has ended Crimea’s water and power blockade. The freshwater canal connecting the Dnieper River to the arid Crimean Peninsula is now in Russia’s hands. So is a nuclear power station to the north of the peninsula, not to mention the power grid in southeastern Ukraine which can be now connected to Russia. These are strategic gains for Russia.

Beyond Donbass and Crimea, Russia might have other objectives too in the southern region. There have been demands — at the local level so far — for merger of the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Mykolaiv with Crimea (Russia), which have large Russian population. Some degree of integration of this region with Russia seems to have begun.

In Kherson region, Russian currency ruble has been introduced; Russian, along with Ukrainian, will become a state language and will become the main language for office work, communication and all issues of national importance; teaching in schools and universities will be conducted in Russian. The authorities of the Kherson Region have voiced the demand for establishment of a Russian military base in the region.

The secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said in an interview published Tuesday that the Russian government “is not chasing deadlines.” Indeed, the Western estimations also seem to anticipate future Russian operations in the southern regions. There are pointers. On May 23, the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that Denmark will provide Ukraine with a modern Harpoon anti-ship launcher and missiles to safeguard its coasts. On May 24, Hungary announced national emergency to take immediate steps to be able to project the country against threats emanating from the war in Ukraine. Over the last weekend, Moscow publicly voiced disquiet over a British statement about the possibility of NATO arms supplies to Moldavia."

https://www.indianpunchline.com/ukra...0-days-of-war/

[bsnub]

^^^

Those things have not been made since 1991. They are relics and I doubt many of them are even operational, besides the Ukrainians have them as well.

Surprised at that weight comparison. Doesn't seem correct. they left a "0" of the end

Not only that but the M-777 has a max fire rate of 7 rounds per minute. The data is not accurate.

I would think that another advantage of that Russian gun over the M777 is that it is self-propelled.

It is 30+ years old. Do you really think that those are reliable?

[OhOh]

It doesn't have to be towed by a truck like the M777 does.

Deadly time is wasted, shoot and move is essential, leading to deaths of crews and destruction of hardware.

Only of Ukrainians and mercenaries, so irrelevant to NATO bosses.

No body bags arriving at NaGastan airports decked in Stars and Stripe flags, and crying wives children, mothers and fathers videos for the 7 o'clock news headlines. SOP NaGastan military.

[David48atTD]

... the M-777 has a max fire rate of 7 rounds per minute. The data is not accurate.

snubbs, it is actually.

"Rate of fire - 2 x rounds per minute (sustained) or 5 x rounds per minute (rapid)", from the Army website ... M777 155mm lightweight towed howitzer | Army.gov.au

BUT, I don't believe the Russian data for the 2S5 Giatsint-S.
As you point out, old technology. Might be able to do 5 to 6 rds/min in short bursts ... might.

[bsnub]

Deadly time is wasted, shoot and move is essential, leading to deaths of crews and destruction of hardware.

You have no clue what you are blathering on about. That would be true if the Russian were not completely incompetent and incapable of counter battery fire, which has proven to be the case.

Only of Ukrainians and mercenaries, so irrelevant to NATO bosses.

Russia is taking casualties at a far higher rate than Ukraine, which has proven to be the superior military force. As usual, you are swallowing your usual dose of propaganda and spewing your predictable Anti-American vitriol.

You are a dimwit and a scumbag.

BUT, I don't believe the Russian data for the 2S5 Giatsint-S.
As you point out, old technology. Might be able to do 5 to 6 rds/min in short bursts ... might.

I doubt that there are many of those relics running at all. I have been watching tons of battlefield footage from both sides and I have never seen anything showing these things in action. Until I am proven otherwise, I am going to assume these are not in use.

[David48atTD]

No body bags arriving at NaGastan airports decked in Stars and Stripe flags, and crying wives children, mothers and fathers videos for the 7 o'clock news headlines. SOP NaGastan military.

You might want to reconsider that statement.

Ukraine war: Bodies of dead Russian soldiers abandoned near Kyiv



Weeks after they failed to seize Ukraine's capital, the remains of Russian troops are still being discovered in and around the villages they passed through or occupied near the capital, Kyiv. But Ukraine says Russia shows little interest in getting them back.

From the grave in the woods, the body was removed to a refrigerated train on the outskirts of Kyiv that now operates as a mobile morgue for the Russian dead.

The white plastic sacks are marked with numbers rather than names and there were at least 137 stacked inside two carriages on the day we visited.

Ukraine war: Bodies of dead Russian soldiers abandoned near Kyiv - BBC News

[bsnub]

You might want to reconsider that statement.

America goes through painstaking efforts to never leave a man behind and to return a fallen soldier to American soil. Russia on the other hand is disgusting and has zero respect for their dead, leaving them behind for the Ukrainians to bury and trying to conceal casualty rates. Russians are cowards, and they have proven it time and time again in this conflict and many times on live video for the entire world to see.

[Neverna]

Ukraine war: Bodies of dead Russian soldiers abandoned near Kyiv

There are plenty of bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers being abandoned in the field too, David. If the bodies are in territory held by the other side, it makes sense not to go back for them.

[David48atTD]

^^ Russia can't afford the PR of multiple dead Russian Soldiers returned to the Motherland.

Remembering it's not a War, just a special operations to de-nazify it's baby brother next door.

Plus, mother Russia is superior in every aspect of warfare

No way could they lose thousands of soldiers to the inferior Ukraine.

[David48atTD]

There are plenty of bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers being abandoned in the field too, David. If the bodies are in territory held by the other side, it makes sense not to go back for them.

Agreed, but if they were offered up by the Russians, I'm sure Ukraine would take them.

Not so much a dead Russian soldier being returned to a grieving Mother/Wife ... it doesn't fit with the narrative, the Media propaganda.