News & thoughts on Putin's invasion of Ukraine

[hammarö]

Not long ago had Russia around 40 Battalion BTG:s. There have been a inflation of them. Many of them have old equipment such as BMP-1 and MT-LB. Tank warfare is also outdated.

Electronic equipment was produced in Ukraine. The Russian production of it is not matured.

[ehusmann]

Interesting predictions by not the least of all political scientists, Francis Fukuyama:
https://www.americanpurpose.com/article ... or-defeat/

In stark contrast with all those who still believe the sheer firepower of the Russians will prevail. Like they would also not invade, like they would also simply take Kiev in a few days, etc etc. I think Mr Fukuyama once again will be right.

[Wildpicture]

It's an optimistic view and I would like to share it. But I am afraid things might not go that way. The firepower the Russians can provide is still enormous. Maybe not effective, but enormous. They can (and are already doing so in several places) direct their firepower at the civilian population, causing immense destruction and misery. I just hope they do not see Kiev as another Grosny.

NATO/EU member countries are afraid to intervene because of the consequences. They still seem to be on the same line, but you can already see little tiny cracks in their resolve. The EU states they will spend another 500M on weapons for Ukrain. And (OMG!) our own minister president openly says he is not ready to support that! When the war draws on and European countries start to feel the effect of the sanctions themselves, cracks and differences may become more open.

Putin has already threatened with nuclear arms. And he might very well use a tactical nuclear weapon on Kiev if his troops make no progress, trying to blame in on the Ukrainians. The problem is that Putin has a lot to gain and nothing to loose. He has mentioned several times over the years that there is no purpose for a world if Russia doesn't play an important part in it. let's just hope that things drive the Russian people and the military to a spot where they decide Russia is better off without Putin. Then we can remember Putin as another Tsar who was ousted by a revolution....

[ehusmann]

Interesting take on the war viewed from China. Comes from a Chinese scholar (so not western). Main take away; China should drop Putin like a rock within a few weeks.
https://uscnpm.org/2022/03/12/hu-wei-ru ... na-choice/

[Wildpicture]

Interesting take on the war viewed from China. Comes from a Chinese scholar (so not western). Main take away; China should drop Putin like a rock within a few weeks.
https://uscnpm.org/2022/03/12/hu-wei-ru ... na-choice/

Quite a descent analyses, from a Chinese side. It is focused primarily on the Chinese interests. What struck me is the total disregard for the human suffering in Ukraine. Just proves that the Chinese don't give a sh*t about that. It is purely and only about their own interest. Maybe our naive politicians should read that and realize that we are not dealing with powers that acknowledge western type standards. These powers are completely ruthless and respond to power only.

[Optimus]

Interesting take on the war viewed from China. Comes from a Chinese scholar (so not western). Main take away; China should drop Putin like a rock within a few weeks.
https://uscnpm.org/2022/03/12/hu-wei-ru ... na-choice/

What struck me is the total disregard for the human suffering in Ukraine. Just proves that the Chinese don't give a sh*t about that. It is purely and only about their own interest.

It does not proof anything (how many Chinese people are there on this globe?). Merely your own personal interpretation of it.

Kees

[Wildpicture]

It does not proof anything (how many Chinese people are there on this globe?). Merely your own personal interpretation of it.
Kees

Do you really believe a Chinese government advisor is allowed to publish his own personal meaning that would deviate from the official Chinese government guidelines?

[Key]

Interesting read. Do note the following though: the U.S.-China Perception Monitor writes in its own 'About': The website is a not-for-profit operated by the China Focus of the Carter Center (...). Indeed, 'that' Carter: former US president Jimmy Carter and his wife. Their mission is to 'Wage Peace, Fight Disease, Build Hope'. They obviously strive to achieve those goals by influencing, among other things. I regard the piece that was linked as being part of that. As for the suffering of the Ukrainian people: that is simply not the focus of the article BUT by striving for 'higher' (global geopolitical) goals, they could help end or at least reduce it.

Erik

[ehusmann]

I realise I am linking a few articles here and there that are not directly Allied Resolve or even aviation related. If any of the admins think these should go into a different topic, then by all means.
But I find it important to see what the Russians are actually doing. Or better, how big of a f*ck up it really is. Of course you need to understand why somebody writes a piece, as Key also rightly pointed out with the Chinese article. Here is another which really makes you crinch, but reasons of the poster might of course go beyond just trying to inform people. Not a traditional article, but a long thread on Twitter. I came upon it through a comment on a picture of a wiped out 16-tank fomation in a village. 16 tanks in tight formation in enemy territory... like the Russians have absolutely no clue about how to conduct themselves in a war. Well indeed, as this thread explains, they indeed don't. It seems like they don't have a clue and are probably simply too dumb to know. As I have said before the war even started, Putin cannot win this war. And with each passing day, I become more sure he will not even be able to take Kyiv. He will be able to turn it into rubble, he will not take it.
https://twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/ ... 8427559936

Here is hoping the implosion of the Russian Army as Francis Fukuyama predicted more or less coincides with the Chinese dumping Putin before the end of March.

[pluggie]

.

[Wildpicture]

Several newsites (BBC, CNN) mention that Russia has asked China to supply them with weapons. Must be running out much quicker than they had anticipated. Lets just hope the Chinese will not deliver weapons to Russia. But I am afraid that they will then in return demand US/EU to stop delivering weapons to Ukrain.

[Glidepath]

x

[Coati]

Shocking but confirming story about the fighting value (or lack of that) of the Russian Paratroopers, giving extra context why the wheels came off the plan on day 1.

https://twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/ ... 92423?s=21

[hammarö]

An Russian Orlan-10 drone crashed today in Dumitra, northern Romania.

Not announced yet.

https://liveuamap.com/en/2022/13-march- ... crashed-in

[orange]

An Russian Orlan-10 drone crashed today in Dumitra, northern Romania.

Not announced yet.

https://liveuamap.com/en/2022/13-march- ... crashed-in

Article 5 !!!