comment: >
  
  They'er shitting themselves aren't they.
context: New post can be found here >
  
  Excellent. >
  
  "putin's war" >
  
  Rusky mir >
  
  I mean, technically it did show how far Russia had come since the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1991. It turns out: not very far. >
  
  I would argue that it went quite a distance downhill... >
  
  I finally googled it:
  "BMP" stands for “Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty”, Russian for infantry fighting vehicle. >
  
  “Military and absolutist regimes are undoubtedly well fitted to get the jump on an unsuspecting or unprepared enemy; but the history of modern warfare proves that they cannot win over representative governments in the long run, provided that people behind those governments have the heart to sustain initial punishment, and both the will and the resources to fight back.” ~ Samuel Eliot Morison >
  
  Yep Morison is a great historian.
  There is a reason why Authoritarian governments always fail. The lies become a house of cards that is destined to fall.
  Also, authoritarian governments cannot manage a middle class.
  The middle class is what makes democracies strong. Not the rich. Not the poor. The middle class have the ability to make changes and the desire that make them. The rich don’t want change. The poor don’t have the ability.
  A country like Russia that does not have a middle class is always destined to fail.
  In Russia’s case this failure is going to be quite spectacular. 🍿 >
  
  Russia does have a middle class though >
  
  Not like in democracies.
  Russia has the greatest disparity of wealth in the word. In a country of 140 million people about 9000 people have over 90% of the assets.
  The middle class is virtually non-existent outside Moscow and PSB.
  Where I am from, Australia, we have the highest median wealth in the world - about $340k USD.
  I hate to think what Russia’s median wealth is.
  As a rough guess, it might be 2K USD, but I’m probably overestimating. >
  
  I checked and it's about 7k. I'm not sure how that's even possible, since I assume wealth should also include your home's value. >
  
  What would they defend? The conscripts they couldnt care less about?. >
  
  its for show so the people of moscow believe they are in danger so the coming mobilization go down a bit easier >
  
  If they are mobilizing in moscow then russia is truly done for. >
  
  It would be great way for russia to plant spies or instigators. Makes sense. >
  
  And anyone resolved to flee mobilization out of any sort of sense of consciousness would have already seen this coming and done so by now. The next wave are more likely to be people who've been drinking Putin's kool-aid up until the point where they have to participate. They'll likely continue drinking that kool-aid no matter where they end up.
  Not against vetting out the good people still caught up in that mix for whatever reason but that's a huge and largely untenable operation so as a blanket policy this is reasonable and expected. >
  
  White House: Here are 323.912 individual pieces of evidence as proof of your war crimes.
  Wagner: They must be fake. I saw 2 Ukrainians doing war crimes too. What about USA in Iraq? >
  
  Whatabout requires you admit to the accusation in the first place. >
  
  A lot of people miss this fact, and keep consuming “news” that includes whataboutism. >
  
  Whoa, lots of hardware today. Wonder where? >
  
  German Tank Megathread Day 33 >
  
  If I had a dollar everytime a German Tank gets mentioned lately, I could send the tanks myself >
  
  WHY ARE U NOT SENDING TANKS DO U HATE UKRAINE!?
  (/s) >
  
  They need to send at least two or Scholz will take refuge in the fact that he stipulated “Abrams tankS” (plural) >
  
  Send a dozen, who gives a fuck. The US has more than what they need/want. >
  
  Still no official word on the explosion yesterday in Berdyansk.
  However:
  
  . . . pro-Ukrainian locals inform us that the cause of yesterday's explosion was a strong ‘arrival’ at the base of Russian invaders.
  . . . a missile landed on the invaders in the RTS area.^1 There were supposedly enemy vehicles and soldiers here.
  The locals took a video from the scene, which shows a huge crater, apparently left after a missile hit.
  
  
  ^(^1) ^(RTS is an old Soviet or pre-soviet term, from the collective farming days, something like “Repairs & Technical Station,” but it would be a whole neighborhood, iirc.) >
  
  actual news:
  Italy will send the SAMP/T missile system to Ukraine, Italy's foreign minister says >
  
  
  technological superiority of Russian weapons
  
  If anyone had still any doubts they aren't trolling and bullshitting, that is your moneyquote. >
  
  Was reading up a bit on Wagner Group and what kind of loonies are members of it.
  There is the Rusich, a neo-nazi regiment of it, headed by some guy called Alexey Milchakov. From Wikipedia: Milchakov first came to public attention after he filmed himself torturing and decapitating a puppy in 2011, posting the footage online. A petition calling to hold him accountable was supported by more than 5500 people. At the same time animal rights activists addressed FC Zenit fans in order for them to give an assessment to Milchakov's actions. In his VK page he also called for killing of homeless people, puppies and children.
  And in their eyes, they are supposed to be the "defenders of common sense", fighters against "nazi Ukrainians" and the "sodomist and crazy West". Despicable. >
  
  You got to figure any killer for hire is going to be sick in the head. >
  
  So Russia tried to pull what Ukraine did in the Kharkiv offensive, which is to start a punishing offensive in one section of the country and then secretly launch a second one, taking advantage of all attention and resources being focused on the first one. 
  While Ukraine could pull it off by virtue of having more, better equipped soldiers on hand and whittling down the Russians to the point where they didn’t have enough troops to defend the whole line, Russia couldn’t. 
  Ukraine has a fair amount of well-trained and armed troops. Ukraine isn’t shuffling troops around and only able to focus on one location. Heck, Ukraine may even be able to pull off another Kharkiv offensive because again Russia can only make progress by pulling most of their resources to one small area and pushing. 
  Russia may have taken Soledar and be about to take Bakhmut, but it is at the expense of most of the troops they raised in the fall, putting Russia back into the same situation as they were in back in late August. If the ground cooperates, Ukraine could make significant progress quickly now that Russia has wasted its strength. This was Ukraine’s goal. Set up a place to bleed the Russia strength at minimal cost to their own. >
  
  Ukraine has the Eye of Sauron based in Northern Virginia. Little chance of such things working >
  
  I could listen/read these calls all day! >
  
  
  The USA will support the transfer of F-16 fighter jets by allies to Ukraine - the American ambassador to the OSCE. Michael Carpenter, confirmed that Washington will agree with the idea of partners to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
  
  I just noticed this from 4 hours ago on the live thread. Why isn't this today's main talking point? >
  
  anyway if Ukraine loses we will look silly with our jets and tanks doing nothing.
  Somehow either Russia win or someone steps up and says the joke is over now. >
  
  
  Somehow either Russia win
  
  I think I've got a better chance of winning the lottery. >
  
  I’m curious about the logistics of the mobilization.
  Why is it necessary to personally hand over a slip of paper? From various interviews, I gather that a man can indefinitely postpone his recruitment if he can somehow avoid the “ceremony” of personally receiving the paper. Why does that work? Doesn’t the government have a central register of men who have been selected? >
  
  Russia is a very  bureaucratic  country, like calling the war "special operation" makes what Putin could and couldn't do innl regards with recruits. >
  
  That’s precisely why I’d expect such simple draft-dodging to fail. The country where I was born has mandatory military service, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to avoid it — the whole state bureaucracy would grind to a halt for me. No driver’s license, no bank account, no passport, no job… ordinary city life would become impossible.
  The guy interviewed in this article is an extreme example, in that he moved out of the city… but he still retains his IT job. Presumably he is still getting paid? He is still paying for his Internet? He is transferring his salary to his wife, so she can buy food and pay for fuel?
  Why is the Russian state (which, as you say, is very bureaucratic) unable to intervene and lock him out of the system? >
  
  Many goats can breathe a sigh of relief on this day >
  
  Some goats were hurt in the process, may they graze the fields in peace in the afterlife. >
  
  There it is, they're back to their favorite crutch, nuking a western nation. It's the US this time; Germany and Britain take a breather. >
  
  "Gee, Vladimir, what do you wanna do tonight?"
  "The same thing we do every night, Sergei: threaten our enemies in the West!" >
  
  Sounds very promising! >
  
  One of the RF milbloggers posted a recruitment notice that UA used that highlights camaraderie and assistance between units, such as
  
  
  “Providing Starlink, battery and personal support for the duration of work, constant communication. Continual air monitoring, targeting of enemy positions, adjustment. Joint friendly dinners after a successful defeat. 
  
  
  among other details.
  The RF milblogger was totally envious!  
  He posted: 
  
  This is not even a discussion, but simply known that an exchange of views are key, how important horizontal communications are at the front between units. 
  The idea of ​​a quick chat where soldiers and officers can quickly solve problems, or ask neighboring units for ammunition or a drone—that is not a novel concept. Its just that it’s been fully implemented in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [as in, widespread norm]
  Question—why does this work for our enemies, but to us, the ideas amount to things like, taking smartphones away or interfering with the volunteers, and even more so, vehicles for the military. 
  What's wrong here? Is it that the enemy is more focused on winning? In Ukraine, the generals think differently, and believe that everything that could conceivably aid in achieving victory shouldn’t be held back? What is our problem? We don't want to win? We do not know how to calmly integrate innovations or new ideas? Do we really want to listen to the instructions of general Sobolev all the time? 
  We are fighting a tenacious and intelligent adversary. Who thinks flexibly. It can only be defeated with the help of even more flexible and unexpected solutions. 
  And nothing else.
  
  The other RF milbloggers reposted, implying agreement >
  
  The problem is the Russian soldier can't see that Russia's exclusive and extractive mindset results in the way they act on the battlefield. 
  He highlights the inclusive and collabortive mindset of the Ukrainian soldier working for the common good but doesn't realise that the moment he and his fellow soldiers collaboratively adapt that mindset would mean they have ideologically and morally changed and as a result lack the desire to fight an enemy because they share the same values. 
  He is aware of the actions that make the Ukrainian superior but not their philosophical and moral underpinnings. >
  
  Exactly! >
  
  Medic, from Mariupol:
  
  
  “Life in the city was getting worse and worse every day,  ” recalls Dmitry Gavro. “There was not even the basics, like water. We were lucky that March was very snowy and cold. That saved many people. We collected snow and melted it: we could drink, wash ourselves off. There was a problem with food—the city simply ran out. And the stores were closed. There was nowhere to buy food. We [at the hospital] were helped by the Ukrainian military, who shared stew with us. We poured a can of stew into a pot of water from melted snow and it became little bowls of soup for us to eat.
  
  Do you remember the day when the Russians fired at the maternity hospital?
  
  Oh sure. It was the start of my shift. We did not know what was happening in the city, and suddenly, all of a sudden, a large number of crying pregnant women came to us at once—
  
  Wait, did those women go to the hospital on their own?
  
  Yes, some of the women from the bombed maternity hospital came to our hospital on foot. They were all in a terrible psychological state. They cried, they could not explain anything, not in any normal manner.  No one could understand from them what had happened, it was impossible. 
  Trying to speak with these women—who were now all suddenly in labor—it was difficult, but one of them seemed to have her wits about her, and only then did we learn that the Russians had fired at the maternity hospital. They were then told [by the nurses at the maternity hospital] that everyone who can walk should go on their own towards the regional hospital. It just was not realistic to transport all the wounded women from there. Later, heavier women, late in labor from the maternity hospital began to be brought to the hospital by transport.
  
  Do you know anything about the number of those who died as a result of the terrorist attack in the Mariupol maternity hospital?
  
  Hard to tell. There wasn’t anyone then that could sort through the rubble of the maternity hospital. It was very dangerous, because the shelling continued.
  
  Did you personally seen the woman in all the pictures, the blogger girl, who then unexpectedly moved to Russia and began to talk about the “atrocities of the Azov people”? Were you able to communicate with her?
  
  Yes, I saw her in person. She was in severe shock, she was constantly in a state of panic. We didn't talk to her about anything. And it is unlikely that she could then tell [what happened].
  
  
  Read the rest here >
  
  Wow!  So very brave! >
  
  "Riga - Latvia"? What it has to do with the rest of the story. Sorry I'm confused and article is paywalled. >
  
  Such bylines are common in US media, and indicate from where the reporter filed the report. >
  
  
  common in US media
  
  More like common in media all over the world. It's crazy to imagine that people don't know that. >
  
  Estimated Russian losses from 24.02.2022 to 22.01.2023 (Day 333):
  |Category              |Change*|Total     |
  |:---|:---|:---|
  |Personnel             |+600      |120760    |
  |Tanks                 |+5      |3145      |
  |APVs                  |+12     |6268      |
  |Artillery             |+9     |2144      |
  |MLRS                  |+2      |445       |
  |Anti-aircraft Systems |-      |220       |
  |Aircraft              |-      |287       |
  |Helicopters           |-      |277       |
  |UAVs                  |+1    |1892      |
  |Missiles              |-      |749       |
  |Warships / Boats      |-      |17        |
  |Other Vehicles        |+14      |4932      |
  |Special Equipment     |-      |193       |
  *Change since the previous day.
  Source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine >
  
  It's surreal that 600 Russians killed feels like a slow day >
  
  With so many vehicles destroyed indicating intense fighting and a round number, it may be just an estimate, corrected for accuracy in upcoming days/weeks. >
  
  What Ukraine really needs is a shitload of airburst ammo. Russian army is pretty much down to large unsupported units of lightly armed personnel that Ukraine often spots well before they present a threat. 
  As good as UA artillery is, HE shells fuzed for impact are not ideal against human waves or dug in personnel. >
  
  Yes! anti-personal ammo is what is needed to stop the never ending human wave attacks and overcome the endless trenches. >
  
  What unsupplied weapon would have the greatest impact and make the difference? >
  
  F16s. They will appear unannounced, in significant quantity and establish air superiority. The endgame soon follows. >
  
  It’d be absolutely glorious to wake up one day and check the thread to find that the F-16s have been pounding the Russian nonstop for hours. >
  
  And send in the export request like had been said multiple times here. >
  
  indeed. no hiding anymore. poland needs to live up to its constant pushing and deliver. >
  
  Happy Unity Day Ukraine!
  It was 22 January 1990 when Ukrainians, still being a part of the Soviet Union, marked the 71st anniversary of the Unification act of the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic and Ukrainian People’s Republic, the fledgling independent states that appeared after the fall of the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires. Unity was a dream of many generations of Ukrainians who throughout centuries were engulfed by different empires on their borders. >
  
  Credit to the UK still trying to push others forward, such a tough task. >
  
  Other nations: We won't send tanks alone!
  UK: Ok, then we will send some of ours!
  Other nations: Erm, well, you see... What we meant was we won't send tanks without this specific list of supporting nations and only after a stock take of available equipment, which for some reason we haven't done yet. >
  
  Yes he's there to hide(not in a fridge this time) from the endless and multiple allegations of corruption and sleaze that are engulfing him and the Conservative party at this time.
  There is only one reason Boris is in Ukraine and it's exclusively in his own interest (like everything else he's ever done). Meanwhile, his proximity to Russia and specifically Evgeny Lebedev (Son of a KGB officer) are still highly suspicious and yet to be investigated. 
  Boris was pictured in an airport in 2018 stumbling home having jettisoned his security detail for the entire night against advice, to stay at Evgeny Lebedev's castle in Italy. Something he was later forced to admit.
  MPs are also investigating Johnson’s 2020 award of a peerage to Evgeny Lebedev since allegations emerged that it was granted despite an assessment that it posed a national security risk.
  He made him a LORD. Why?
  Edit: Not to mention Boris was the architect of Brexit. Something that has deeply damaged the UK and that is slowly turning out to be the result of a Russian misinformation and influence campaign that the conservatives refused to investigate.
  Tell me again how Boris supports Ukraine.. >
  
  Ultimately Johnson DID play a genuine role in providing aid to and foreign diplomatic support to Ukraine.
  If the Ukrainians like him as much as I hear they do they can keep him, shuffle him off into a diplomatic position and keep him away from the UK. >
  
  
  The cat refuses to move to a new house.
  
  So pick it up, put it in a carrier, and take it to the new house... then keep it inside until it has adapted to its new surroundings... just as you would if you were moving house?? >
  
  Yeah that's the way. Very odd. >
  
  I didn't realise wartranslated have done a translation so I translated it too, I'll post my versoin anyway in case someone doesn't like reading from images:
  
  I was asked an interesting question:
  "What is the main reason why you think that a significant success of Russian troops in an offensive is currently impossible?"
  Here's my answer:
  Of the whole set of reasons that very seriously weaken the combat capability of the RF Armed Forces (not only on the offensive, but also on the defensive), I still believe the main one to be the moral factor. Most mobilized (and most regular) servicemen in the Russian Armed Forces have no motivation to make sacrifices in combat against the AFU, because the objectives of the war are not only not clearly communicated by the government, but not even officially stated. At the same time, the disciplinary measures available to the RF Armed Forces' command "under peacetime laws" are insufficient to make servicemen fear them more than death and injury from enemy fire.
  Accordingly, in such circumstances the following units have a chance of success in an offensive:
  - Volunteer units (of which there cannot be many);
  - Wagner mercenary units, which have their own "internal ideology" (typical of the Landsknecht) combined with the most brutal repressive discipline, which goes beyond even the wartime legislation of the Soviet era.
  Hence the conclusion: a full-fledged offensive against a stubborn enemy position with "elite" units can only be conducted by the military command in very limited and isolated areas. (For example - the direction to Soledar-Bahmut), where it is possible to conduct combat operations without involving forces other than the "Death's Head stormtroopers". (If you do not like this definition, please refer to the Wagner insignia).
  In all other sectors, a successful offensive is also (theoretically) possible, but only if one can achieve a numerical and (most importantly) mechanical superiority over the enemy, thus making it possible to suppress their will to resist, and to create in one's own troops a perception of their overwhelming superiority. However, when confronted with the most resilient and professional units of the enemy, even a large superiority is no guarantee of a major success.
  But what do we have? In general we have got "parity" in the number of troops (as a result of the autumn "half-assed mobilisation") and some advantage in some types of heavy equipment and artillery, but with an extreme lack of decent means of reconnaissance and communication (in which the enemy has a considerable advantage over our troops on the whole).
  That is why I believe that if our troops undertake a large-scale offensive on one or several sections of the front - if we combine insufficient numbers with low morale and a very weak disciplinary apparatus (not considering the "quality" of command in particular) - only an even worse condition of the enemy troops can save us from defeat. Faced with persistent and able enemy resistance, such an offensive will inevitably fade because of the command's inability to compel its forces to go into battle with the necessary degree of military valor. This, in turn, may allow the enemy (if they are able to retain sufficient reserves) to launch counterattacks and achieve success. Perhaps even of an operational and strategic nature.
  What should be done to change the situation? - I have spoken and written about that probably a 100 times already... since last March. Practically nothing has been done or is planned by the highest military and political authorities of the Russian Federation. Because the hope "for an agreement with partners" persists and "the rat does not feel cornered" (because it is delusional and is unable to objectively assess reality). >
  
  Off to bed - hope everyone's having a good weekend! >
  
  Thanks for continuing to update the live feed! >
  
  Mariupol:
  Russia’s demolition crews have so far demolished 50+ high-rise apartment buildings..  City plans (previously published by Medusa) shows that over 1,000 buildings are to be demolished. 
  So far, multiple residential blocks have been demolished, in the Livoberezhny District (“Left Bank” of Kalmius River) video here
  And at least two new, pristine-but-cheap blocks of new apartments have been built.  Photo here.  Of course, the building are not given to those whose homes Russia demolished (although 200 Mariupol residents who’d met requirements, including accepted Russian passport, have received).  They’re inhabited by Russians or stand empty, presumably, to be sold for profit later.
  Note: one article includes reactions of Mariupol readers to the news Russia has built multiple new buildings—it’s all over the place regarding reactions—some say good, it reparations; others say they’ll be torn down when UA returns, either because not up to code, or out of protest, or because no one will want to live in enemy’s building; others outraged bc built on bones and to hide war crimes; others say that although despicable, it’s cold and people need housing—see channel for more. >
  
  The property rights issues if where you live is destroyed in war and the occupiers build a different building on the site must be a nightmare. I mean, mild concerns compared to the other problems, but intellectually interesting. >
  
  It’s written about several times a week, it seems, in the Eastern Ukraine news sources.
  Bc can get value of house back from government aid, but have to have papers as proof, and when home destroyed, how did papers even survive?  So there’s all these recommendations, bc there’s all this red tape and bureaucracy, bc even in war, there’s scammers. >
  
  Are you an enemy combatant? Do you not want to be? Call 1-888-DEFECT-NOW to defect, now! The US will welcome* you with open arms!
  *Some conditions apply >
  
  They tried a new offensive there and it drowned in its own blood immediately. They took immense losses, videos show entire platoons get destroyed out in the open. Russians keep reoccupying the same stretch of no-man's land where they sit with zero cover in direct view of Ukrainians on the high ground. 
  Russians are now shelling the high ground villages where Ukrainian observers sit. 
  They're going to follow up with minimally supported mass.human waves, literal uphill battles across wide open fields. There will be insane videos of fields littered with the dead. Russians are into this. They're going to their deaths knowingly and willingly. They're no longer resigning en masse. There are no desertions and few surrenders. 
  At this point it's just mass suicide by Ukrainian. These fools would really rather die than imagine life without Putin. >
  
  We're very lucky they're so fucking stupid. >
  
  Russia has been getting pretty crazy since the invasion of Ukraine.
  - Blew up Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
  - Murdered Belarus foreign minister Vladimir Makei using poison.
  - Poisoning Roman Abramovich and two Ukrainian members of the peace talks.
  - Failed far right coup of German government that is linked to Russia.
  - Mystery divers suspected of being Russian found near the Port of Gdansk.
  - Seven Russians arrested in Norway for using drones to take pictures of sensitive locations.
  - Murdering Russian business executives and in some cases their families.
  - Putin awarding medals to soldiers accused in the Bucha Massacre.
  - Industrial level theft of grain and machinery from Ukraine.
  - Putin making it legal for Russian soldiers to steal anything in Ukraine.
  - Russia providing kill lists of political leaders and other important people in Ukraine.
  - Dozens of nuclear threats from some of Russia's top political leaders.
  - Destroyed a building in Olenivka to give a cover story in murdering Ukrainian POWs.
  - Responsible for thousands of war crimes in Ukraine.
  - Government sponsored human trafficking of thousands of children and adults.
  - Setting Russians convicted of murder free if they serve a couple of months in Ukraine.
  - The sledgehammer murder of a Russian citizen broadcasted without charging anyone.
  - The man that leads the group being the sledgehammer murders bragging about it.
  - Sending Russians to fight in Ukraine with no training or almost no equipment.
  - Arresting and imprisoning people for calling the invasion a war.
  - Lavrov claiming Hitler was Jewish and that the Jews were behind the Holocaust.
  - Four months after the invasion Lavrov claiming Russia never invaded Ukraine.
  It's hard to believe they're one of the top 20 economies in the World and a member of the UN Security Council. >
  
  The UN Security Council permanent member thing is dumb. How is it supposed to work 100s years in the future? >
  
  The UN was created after WWII to provide a diplomatic alternative to war. WWII was so brutal and horrible for everyone involved a lot of countries that didn't get along still thought that this was a good idea. It might not always work, but the idea was that anything is better than war so it was worth trying. 
  This is why the Soviet Union was on the security council. Not despite of being, but because they were a belligerent power player. The people who might be attacking or defending in the next global war got the prime seating. 
  Using this logic, the spirit of the original UN charter says that's exactly why Russia should sit on the security council. It sucks because they're awful, but the idea is maybe we can talk this out without wholesale killing. 
  The problem is that people really want the UN to be something it was never made to do. It has power, but only those powers the member states decide to give it. It can't be a police force unless everyone says it's ok, and they won't shoot the guys in the baby-blue helmets. 
  If we were to kick the Russians out of the UN then the UN would become another NATO to them: russophobic Nazis ganging up on brave and plucky Russia because they are too weak to face their obvious übermenche superiors, who are also just peace-loving victims. 
  My god those people are exhausting. 
  But yea, that's a problem with the UN, that Russia (or at leas the Soviets) are there not because they're good, but because they're bad. >
  
  Well said, but to most people, the world state of 70 years ago is far too abstract to grasp, and the idea of a "world government" much more easily digestable, even if it is detached from reality. >
  
  Russia: “At least they didn’t get western jets”
  F16’s under radar coverage: “Surprise motherfuckers!”
  We can dream… >
  
  C-17: Supplies Motherfuckers. >
  
  Not a single day passes that I don't think of Mariupol, and hope my damnest to see the tiniest bit of good news from there... 3 is my lucky number, so on this 333rd day of the invasion: if there's any shred of "cosmic luck" that I hold, I wish it'd be given to the people of Mariupol. May your day of liberation come soon, and may you get the justice and peace that you deserve. Heróyam sláva. >
  
  Ukraine was also one of the main military manufacturing republics of the USSR. Not only people know about tanks here, people make them here. >
  
  Wow. 120 thousand KIA, and almost 10 thousand mechanised fighting vehicles (tanks plus IFVs)  in 333 days.
  That’s 360 dead and 30 pieces of heavily armoured fighting vehicles destroyed every day for almost a year.
  All of this against a weaker opponent.
  This will go down in history as one of the worst planned and worst executed military campaigns ever. >
  
  It's still a rounding error compared to WWI. The six months of the Somme alone killed a million men in a collosal failure of an offensive.
  The Romans lost almost that many men in a single day at Cannae. The Napoleonic invasion of Russia was far more disastrous than this.
  It's still a catastrophic and embarrassing defeat, but to call it one of the worst ever overlooks a lot of bad decisions. >
  
  That’s the thing.
  Russia is recording almost WWII losses because they are rising equipment and tactics that are barely improved from WWII.
  It’s not 1944.
  It’s 2023. >
  
  While there's an awful lot of genocidal bigots in Ukraine, Russia can trivially solve that issue by asking them to come home. >
  
  I know typical, Putin claims Kherson is Russia for everrr, yet he shells the city over a 100 times a day. Bullshit after bullshit and the Russian people go along for the ride. >
  
  What's happening in Zaporizhzhia is beyond belief. One of the worst military blunders happening right in front of our eyes. 
  These are their good mobiks. This is the ace up their sleeve. These are the units that actually got equipment and training. They're well fed and move as units in much larger numbers than before. And they're dying in droves, by the platoon, all while performing some practiced.rituals from their field training that would have been obsolete in 1904. They hit the dirt and crawl in formation, they lay down covering fire and send out flanking elements, except it's all in vain, they all get blasted by artillery before they ever have sights of a Ukrainian.
  Whatever it is they're trying to prove, it's not working. >
  
  They had a choice. >
  
  
  Pistorius wants to travel to Ukraine soon
  
  The new SPD defense minister wants to quickly procure new weapons, modernize the barracks - and make the troops more attractive.  He says: »My job is to set the course for the Zeitenwende to be successful«.
  
  The new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) wants to go to Ukraine as soon as possible.  »What is certain is that I will travel quickly to the Ukraine.  Probably even within the next four weeks,” he told the “Bild am Sonntag”.  Pistorius took office on Thursday after Christine Lambrecht resigned as head of department.
  
  …
  
  When asked what his goal was for the troops, Pistorius said: “Germany is the largest economy in Europe, so it should also be our goal to have the strongest and best-equipped army in the EU.” However, that is not in  three years to do it, it would take a few more years.  "It's my job now to set the course for the Zeitenwende to be successful." 
  
  …
  
  Pistorius named three key tasks that now have to be implemented quickly and simultaneously: the procurement of weapons and equipment, the modernization of the barracks and the recruitment of personnel.  »And: The troops have to feel that we trust them and are grateful for what they do.«
  
  Source: Spiegel
  I can't see the future and he's only been in office for a few days, so a lot can still happen, but I can really see the Zeitenwende being successful with him as Minister. 
  He already has more planning and ideas of ​​what the Zeitenwende should mean than his predecessor. >
  
  Yeah, historically DefMin was a place to park people in an unimportant position. Which is shocking, but anyway. 
  At least the rhetoric is good. Did lambrecht even visit Ukraine? I don’t recall a visit. >
  
  Thanks, looks like she visited in October. >
  
  Training has already been announced by Reznikov. It's a matter of time. But some people want to be mad so bad, that they don't want to read that. >
  
  And that training has the blessing of the german mod. I don't think they would give that blessing if the plan was to deny polands export requests. 
  My personal hope is therefore that its not a question of if but of how many, of what type (a4? a5?) and who joins. >
  
  And this clarification is exactly what Pistorius talked about when he announced the 'taking of inventory' on Leopard tanks. This entails the analysis of available configurations and spare parts not at the Bundeswehr, but at other Leopard users and industry.
  But well, it's easier to mock that statement along the lines of 'LOL Germany hat 11 months and they dont know what tanks they have' >
  
  Can't wait for Poland to deliver those tanks now. I'd get mighty upset if now they start blocking. >
  
  Poland : Hey Olaf. We want to send 20 Leopards to Ukraine. Can we?
  Olaf : Nein.
  Poland : Ok. We will send 9 Leopards.
  Olaf : 😠 >
  
  Germany already said they can do it. We are all awaiting for Poland now. >
  
  I think /u/Pepperinho just wanted to mke a pun. >
  
  Latest Perun: How Politics Destroys Armies: Politics, Factionalism & Russia's war in Ukraine >
  
  For those asking, "Why not give Abrams so we can give our tanks" there you fucking go. 
  Though I want a better source than that. >
  
  The tweet selectively quotes a part of an article from NZZ , which in turn is generally very reliable. The article, however, is an opinion/analysis, not news reporting. Incidentally, I've read it yesterday (in German) and thought it's rather balanced, you'll find things like
  
  When Lloyd Austin urges the German government to approve the delivery of Leopard 2s to Ukraine, he also has American interests in mind. In doing so, he plunges the Germans and Chancellor Scholz into a dilemma. If Scholz gives in, he harms German interests. If he stands firm, he risks Ukraine losing more territory and thus also harms German interests. How this tricky situation could come about has to do with German security policy over the past thirty years.
  
  and
  
  In Germany, however, arms exports have not been considered from this point of view for decades, but rather from an economic and above all an ethical point of view. Politicians, especially from the left-wing spectrum, wanted Germany to stop exporting weapons abroad altogether. They were convinced that this would make the world more peaceful.  
  The Americans are pursuing a different policy, and increasingly ruthlessly, even towards their own allies. France felt this two years ago when Australia unceremoniously cancelled a contract to build submarines worth 56 billion euros in order to buy American boats. Previously, the US government had concluded a security alliance with the Australian government and Great Britain that assured the Australians of the United States' assistance. In return, the Australians were to buy their weapons in the USA.
  
  Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) >
  
  Their take on the Australian Subs is very flawed at best.
  Australia's submarine needs are technologically best met by Nuclear and Australia is close enough to UK and US to be able to access their cutting edge technology.
  Previous governments were trying to fit a square peg in a round hole because they didn't want to be seen as the government that went nuclear.
  This doesn't even mention various reports of clashes between Australian and French representatives over a range of issues during development.
  The way it was handled by the government at the time was garbage and disrespectful though. Oh and it was Australia's idea to go to nuclear, not the US or UK's.
  So if the analysis can get something like this so wrong when all of this has been in the public domain in Australia for ages... ... I wouldn't be trusting a word of it without corroboration. >
  
  I remember reading an article at the time of the deal being called off and it mentioned how the Australian workers didn't get along with their French counterparts at all.  One of the reasons cited were the Australians felt that the French workers were lazy and constantly on break lol >
  
  Good grief, that man must be made of seal blubber! >
  
  I wonder if the current UA strat is to hold the line till western- resources arrive and get integrated. Plus still muddy weather... >
  
  UA is going to be satisfied with a seemingly static position that causes an unsustainable attritional rate on the Russians.
  This isn't all that different then the Kherson Offensive but on a larger scale. >
  
  I wonder if Prigozhin is getting delusions of overthrowing Putin in the back of his head. He has an army and a semblance of a structure now, including headquarters. Putin has him on a leash but he must be wondering if the dog will ever bite back the hand, given his open repudiation of the conventional Russian military. Putin's hold may be too strong though, so he might just be trying to expand his influence as much as he can within that circle. >
  
  Prigozhin is a threat, he's building a rival powerbase. >
  
  I have a feeling he's going to have an accident in the next couple of months. He's just a pawn in the bigger picture. >
  
  Even if Ukraine wins this thing pretty fast, Russia won't sign a peace treaty or agree they lost.  Everyone needs to be ready to accept that this is going to be a long-term issue in Europe.  There will be a huge military build up things won't go back to normal for many, many years.  The days of playing pretend with Russia are over. >
  
  Oh I don't think you understand. 
  After this, Russia is finished. >
  
  Unless someone is going to invade Russia, they're not going to be finished. >
  
  Disagree. It is more likely their will be a complete social and economic collapse in Russia after Putin's last crime empire is finished, and then, China will be the one to purchase most of Russia's territory and will be managed as a proxy state. >
  
  I just don't see how Russia will be for sale.  I do, however, think that China will have a lot more power over Russia. >
  
  Most likely Russia will experience Balkanization 2.0, with Moscow and St. Petersburg maintaining a hold over the metropolitan areas and a decent chunk of Russia's Middle class and industrial capacity, while the likes of Chechnya, Siberia, etc increasingly breaking away from the Kremlin. Or even if they don't officially separate, the regions will become more or less autonomous. >
  
  The enemy of my enemy is... tomorrow's enemy? >
  
  I think he is implying that poorly educated, brainwashed men who live in poverty are being used as cannon fodder as per every war ever.
  As much as I want Russia to lose and for the guys in charge to suffer I have enough humanity to feel for the guys whose lives mean nothing to their ruling elite.
  Europe WW1 comes to mind as an example of the same mindset. Rich entitled fucks throwing poor people in the meat grinder for “likes” from their peers. >
  
  Those poorly educated, brainwashed men are also the biggest ultra nationalists who can't pronounce the word "Ukrainians" without using the word "hohol". Funny how we give them the benefit of the doubt, but not, let's say, to KKK from the American South >
  
  What is breaking about that title? Of course they can, they always could send their own tanks...
  Here is the abstract auto-translated for more context:
  
  Defense Minister Pistorius wants to check which Leopard tanks the Bundeswehr could hand over to Ukraine. According to SPIEGEL information, such a list has been available for some time. 19 older leopards appear particularly suitable. >
  
  I wonder why would older models be "particularly suitable"? >
  
  They are referring to tanks stationed at the German national training center. Maintained and regularly used, but not actually assigned to an active unit. >
  
  Those rust buckets are no threat to America. >
  
  Lady injured by shrapnel:
  She’s Ukrainian by birth.  She’s a traitor. She was born in Luhansk. 
  When Russia invaded in 2014, she embraced Russia’s terrorism, supported the ‘LDR,’ started spreading Russian propaganda, herself. >
  
  I hope after the war her head is shaved for being the traitor that she is.
  Of course she'll probably scurry to Russia like all the other rats. >
  
  Russia's 28 times the size of Ukraine. Even if it's not all good land, they can easily accommodate everyone in the world who wants to be Russian, there's no reason for them to be occupying any other land. >
  
  After the meeting between Scholz and Macron in Paris, basically no advancement regarding MBT delivery. 
  During the press conference the answers are evasive, Scholz reminds Germany's longstanding position of not delivering offensive weapons to territories in conflict, but states that he will continue supporting Ukraine. Macron doesn't rule out the delivery of Leclerc tanks, but he also reminds that training of Ukrainian soldiers and supply chain issues have to be considered, also that the decision doesn't have to represent a security risk for France (they have around 200 Leclerc in all). >
  
  A German bureaucrat and a French diplomat walked into a (meeting) room… >
  
  these two don't get along at all >
  
  
  Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of Russia’s parliament, warned that countries’ decision to supply Ukraine would lead to a “global catastrophe”.
  “If Washington and NATO supply weapons that would be used for striking peaceful cities and making attempts to seize our territory as they threaten to do, it would trigger a retaliation with more powerful weapons,” he said.
  
  Not even a good bluff.  The West will proceed as necessary to assist UA. >
  
  
  weapons that would be used for striking peaceful cities
  
  Projecting much, Russia? Impatient to see that crass of a country fall apart and fragment into a bunch of North Korea like tribal states. >
  
  Didn't count closely looked like 25-30 ~~tanks~~ on one train ... EDIT: 30 Bradleys >
  
  To be clear, this is the German Foreign Minister! >
  
  Perhaps Putin could replace Luka with Steven Seagal? >
  
  Steven Seagal has trained them... >
  
  They sure got them 80s moves >
  
  Hmmmm.  What if Canada gave our Leopards (we have 80 of them) to the USA, in exchange for some Abrams.  Then the Americans could give Ukraine some Leopards - and fulfil the conditions that Germany is asking for. >
  
  I am so in. In my opinion, we don't even need a single tank. The only land invasion we could face is from the US, and we would not win regardless of the number of tanks we have lol. We can do without tanks. >
  
  One day closer to victory. Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦🌻 >
  
  Heroyam Slava! >
  
  What are the daily casualties? I heard Ukraine got the better of and artillery fight around Kherson. >
  
  Went up to 600-800 a day now, at least as reported by Ukraine. >
  
  Pentagon said Russia has sustained 180,000 casualties ( killed and wounded ) >
  
  Russia was already completely dysfunctional and now they've decided a significant portion of their citizenry is going to be maimed and disabled from a shockingly stupid war. Russia, is the fas or the peglegs the reason they're the sick man of europe? The answer is, yes. >
  
  I have spend too much time and energy being a part of these threads for 333 days. I am exhausted. I need to take a long break from this emotional rollercoaster and catch up on things I neglected in my normal life. Thanks for all the debates and shared information/knowledge. Keep up the good work. Slava Ukraini >
  
  Pop back in sometime >
  
  I'm going to wait for another source on that one. >
  
  What is other countries just shipped Leopards?  Could Germany do more than piss and moan? >
  
  The sad thing is that Germany has done quite a bit, especially on the financial front. They’ve also supplied significant amounts of hardware. But their political messaging and prevarication has been a goddamn disaster. Germany controls the export license on the Leopards - I’m sure other countries don’t want to potentially rupture defence relations with Germany. I think Trump really shook NATO - there are probably several countries that don’t want to go all in on America because the political winds could rapidly change. >
  
  May be hard for Scholz to hear, but the rest of Europe is not quite as bound by post-WW2 guilt or prior relations as Germany. >
  
  It's just Russia going through the usual stages if grief, right now, anger. But just like HIMARS, once these weapons start blowing up mobiks or depos, acceptance finally kicks in. >
  
  Important bit:
  
  Germany, meanwhile, had still not received a re-export request, so it simply couldn't approve Leopard deliveries. The inaction of the German government as a consequence of having received no re-export request, was explained by bad faith actors as blocking and stalling.
  
  It’s still a democracy, so rules have to be followed. (Not as many as Germany has in my opinion, but these are their rules. And now bad faith actors are abusing the narrative, supported by a social media pile on. Nice 😔) >
  
  Day CCCXXXIII, Part I.  Thread CDLXXIV. >
  
  Thanks! >
  
  Couple days ago, one military expert said
   that the concerning element of Wagner getting weapons from North Korea was that China could funnel to them.
  transcript:
  
  ACOSTA: . . . images of what appears to be Russian rail cars traveling to North Korea to pick up infantry rockets, missiles, weapons that according to the U.S. went straight to Wagner's fighters in Ukraine. That is troubling. What do you make of that?
  LIPPOLD: I think it's very troubling because what it indicates is just like Iran providing drones that the Russians are using with great effectiveness to attack the critical infrastructure throughout Ukraine, having North Korea now getting engaged in that, what that really is, is a roundabout way for China to begin supporting Russia with the kind of arms that are killing Ukraine directly. 
  And consequently, we, as the West and the United States in the lead in doing that with European countries, we need to begin to hold not just North Korea accountable, but China as well, because that tie, if it is going to become proven, which it already has, and they are going to provide this type of equipment, we need to make sure that that gets cut off.
  
  
  has there been any evidence of it, or articles about it? Any government officials or other experts disclose this concern? >
  
  So, with all the air defense in place on various roofs in Moscow, would the following strategy work?
  Get some cheap RC plane that can fly quite fast and attach a radar reflector to it so that it gives a signature of a big drone.
  Russia will have to shoot it down, which can only result in a pr disaster. You'll have plenty of videos circulating of missiles being launched or flak being fired in the middle of the city. If the drone flies relatively low, you'll also have missile debris raining down on the city which is even worse.
  That could damage stuff, make them catch fire, even injure or kill someone.
  And the cool thing is that Ukrainian saboteurs could do this all day long. It's super cheap and you don't need much to accomplish this.
  Edit:
  Literally put this inside of this. >
  
  Endangering civilians for lulz is more of a Russia thing >
  
  In this case it would not be for lulz. It would be to hinder Russia’s continuing invasion of another country. >
  
  Tucker Carlson, the one American the Russia doesn't want dead. >
  
  "All men have an emotion to kill; when they strongly dislike some one they involuntarily wish he was dead. I have never killed any one, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction."
  — Clarence Darrow >
  
  or to paraphrase stewie griffin,
  I don't want to kill him, I just don't want him to be alive anymore >
  
  There seems to be a lot of discussion going on about the tank Situation especially how supossedly the Abrahms tank isnt a good choice for some reasons, wether thats because of fuel consumption or difficulty of mainanance. And i wanted to share some of my spicy hot takes so get your downvotes ready:
  
  
  Ukraine doesent care if maintanance is more difficult, fuel consumption is to high or the tank is too heavy. They will take every tank they can get.
  
  
  Best example for this is them accepting the 12 challanger 2's wich lets be honest is a token force and all the supply issues that come with only having 12 of them. 
  
  
  Abrahms tanks is a capable and usefull platform for Ukraine and anyone who argues about the supply chain seems to be all to willing to ignore the same argument when germany made it.
  
  
  All the media bashing on germany has cleary gotten completely out of hand and is being fueled by mostly polish british and american media as well as international media that understandibly want more support for ukraine writing in a way that will archive this(also includes local german media).
  
  
  All of this has evolved into a dynamic of its own with very harsh criticism and sometimes borderline racist and derogatory of all of the german people. The Last part is obviously the polish influence by PIS asociated media. 
  
  
  6.German Arms industry while not small ( with facilitys all over europe not just in germany) is not capable of handeling the incredible increase in demand caused by the combination of almost all western european nations awakening from a deep slumber of defense spending cuts over the last decades and the sudden realisation that an army actually has a use. (here again only germany gets called out) Aswell as the new requirements for Ukraine. A lot of investment will be necessary but new facillitys will take time to construct even in an accalerated Form.
  
  The US and especially the military industrial complex seeks to take andvantage of this by encourageing nations to switch to American models and sending all their german and other arms to ukraine. And analysts and think tanks we all pationately follow are aware of this and encourage this behaviour.
  
  8.This is not only about money but also about influence since america has been seeking to get involved into the europen market for a long time but has been dominated by europen arms makers. Reliance on American arms also increases dependancy on the USA 
  9.Poland has deliberately made a public spectacle out of the export allowance by anouncing its interest to export leopards out of nowhere ( not because UA didnt ask for them but because they did not talk this through with their partners) and at the same time not making a formal request until friday while making it THE public talking point until now. Public offices dont work on the weekend and will take some days to process this order. 
  10.poland will spend all this time making a public spectacle out of the whole ordeal to make it seem like germany bent to their pressure. Because thats what gets PIS votes.
  
  The decission to send Leopard 2's has alredy been made or at least the intention to do so has been. My Reasoning for this is the claim that non publicly disclosed agreements have been made, aswell as the go ahead to start with the training of UA soldiers on the system.
  
  12.Since providing Leopards to Ukraine has to be a multination effort and polands populist speerhead move wich left many unprepared (no not only germany even though thats the only one where it is publicly scrutiniesed) inquieries and assesments habe to be made to coordinate such an endevor. Some might as well have to gather the necessary political support for this.
  
  This is very important to me so listen up: Germany is not pro russia, Germany is not a lacluster ally, Germany does not seek nonexisting Trade relations with russia after the war. And germany is most certainly not holding back on its support for ukraine for whatever reason. Germany is moving at an unprecedanted speed and determination to make all of its support possible. This might not seem like it to you where you come from but the last year was a tectonic change for german soceiety.
  
  Disclaimer: I am as pro Ukraine and pro increased support as you get. These are my opinions they might be wrong and it is ok to criticise me or germany or Scholz (especially Scholz) but be civil!!! >
  
  Civility is how we can have different opinions on the best course of action while having the same long term goal. >
  
  Alright, I'm gona get flack for this, but we really gotta chill with the tank rhetoric. From a material perspective, what needs to happen to ensure Ukrainians get Western tanks on the battlefield ASAP has already happened. AFU personnel will start training on Leopards in the coming days. They will take several weeks to complete courses. Tanks will not show up on the field until after that. Whether or not Germany approves tank deliveries tomorrow or next month will not get the tanks on the field faster. >
  
  *Flak, from flugabwehrkanone. It’s German
  Sorry for giving you flak >
  
  
  Sorry for giving you flak
  
  You should be. It would be better used in Ukraine >
  
  I think people are actually overreacting to the leopard situation. Let's recall what happened with energy infrastructure. Germany initially said they wouldn't be able to cut off from Russian gas. They were right of course; it wasn't really feasible. But that didn't' mean they didn't begin working towards that goal. And later they essentially achieved, switching largely to liquefied natural gas. People at the time interpreted the statements as indicating that they had no intention of getting off russian gas, but that was not the case. Basically, how I read this is we need to take what Germany says at face value as they have shown that they will downplay what they are doing instead of making bold rhetorical stands.
  One key thing that makes me think this is really a non-issue is that UA troops have begun training on the leopard system. That would not be happening if there were no plans at all to give them to UA. Maybe the date of transfer is not finalized or what have you, but personally I believe it will happen. Germany most likely sees no reason to transfer the tanks at this moment but I would not be surprised if once training has happened to a sufficient degree, suddenly leopards appear in UA. >
  
  
  they essentially achieved, switching largely to liquefied natural gas. 
  
  Just to add to this point: Russian fossil fuel imports to Germany are down to 0% for gas, oil and coal since end of last year. >
  
  I didn’t realize it was really 0. That’s fantastic. >
  
  There is quite alot of reports I've been seeing latley of the extremely poor condition of Russian troops. Their motivation is nill and they cannt equip their new troops beyond an ak47. Intercepted calls show units are bring reinforced with much less than promised. I'm getting the feeling this war COULD end this year. Ukraine just needs tanks... >
  
  No. Russia had enough military discipiline (either you have 77% of being killed by enemy or 100% of being killed by us). Their military doctrine is "unit do things without thinking, they are for fighting, not for thinking" >
  
  Seems like most people are talking about tanks... but the best book I've read so far on the war in Ukraine is Overreach: The inside story of Putin's war against Ukraine by Owen Mathews. Anyone read it? 
  I'm on chapter ten and enjoying the first hand accounts of the launch of the invasion. His choice to show the viewpoints of citizens and soldiers on the ground paralleled with actions of decision makers really shows your the scale of events. The book walks you through the early 2000s as it relates to the war and then up to almost publication. Oh and he includes his interviews with people. I love that. Anyway, add it to your list. >
  
  Seems kind of soon for a book on a war that doesn’t seem to be anywhere close to ending. >
  
  The real overreach was the race to get the book published. >
  
  Starting to think I don't actually know what's going on with the Leopards.
  Germany says, "we're not the only one reserved about tanks, we never said you couldn't send Ukraine tanks, only that no one asked."
  Reddit says, "no other nation has stepped up and said "mehhhhh maybe not" to tanks, and the obvious reason no one has asked is you told them the answer would be no."
  Now Germany says, "if you ask, the answer will be yes, but there is no coalition that is actually ready to send leopards."
  Reddit says "NO, we got Poland, maybe Finland, Netherlands and Canada."
  Germany replies, "Ok, have any of those countries said they're literally just waiting for Germany."
  Reddit, "we're sure they've been told not to to avoid breaking the coalition."
  Germany, "have they? Or do political forces in Europe see a chance to knock down Germany, and so they are."
  Yeah, I'm not sure I know what's true, anymore. >
  
  All I gotta say is with the amount of taxes I’m paying this year Biden better send some fucking Abrams.
  If I can’t get free healthcare at least let me see Abrams running over Russian trenches. >
  
  How much are you paying taxes? As a European im just interested in knowing, not judging :) >
  
  a lot less than you'd think the way some people talk >
  
  Germany: No has requested permission to send any.
  Wallace: Someone has.
  Who to believe. >
  
  Ben Wallace has been one of the most solid people during this entire time, certainly the only tory in 5-10 years in government I actually have any trust in.
  I'm trusting the guy who sent actual modern Western tanks. >
  
  Russia is the land of make believe.
  Putin passes an order that he makes believe is fulfillable. His underlings nod and make believe they will comply. The order gets passed down and branch out the hierarchy tree until stamped with "order fulfilled" (at least the stamps are real). Those same orders rise back up, and the underlings on state TV proudly show Putin how his orders were fulfilled. Everyone happy, shit remains the same.
  And the above is not make believe but actual Russian and Soviet managerial and procuring process.
  The thing is there is enough oil money and sticks to keep the facade clean and beggars away. Meanwhile Putin and his entourage make believe they are still at least regional powers. >
  
  Ukraine would do whatever is necessary to keep those weapon systems supplied and maintained or they won't use them if they can't make them an asset. I don't think they would have any problems, they have more experience in tank warfare than anyone now. >
  
  Exactly >
  
  With the current inventory of aircraft present at the aircraft boneyard in Arizona, the US could possibly send quite a few different types of airframes to Ukraine depending on if the systems were placed into deep storage and not used as part supplies
  Helicopters
  
  ~100 AH-1W Supercobra
  ~30 AH-1Z Viper
  ~40 UH-1N Iroquois
  ~20 UH-1Y Venom
  ~70 CH-46E Sea Knight
  ~20 CH-53D Stallion
  ~20 HH-60G Pave Hawk
  
  Fighters
  
  ~160 F-16A Falcon
  ~20 F-16B Falcon
  ~110 F-16C Falcon
  ~20 F-16D Falcon
  
  UCAV
  
  ~60 MQ-1B Predator
  ~10 MQ-8B Fire Scout
  
  Cargo
  
  ~100 C-130E Hercules
  ~60 C-130H Hercules
  
  Tanker
  
  ~20 KC-130F Hercules >
  
  For the millionth time, just because an airframe is there doesn’t mean it’s viable to be regenerated into active service. Over half the shit at AMARG isn’t in Type 1000/1500/4000 storage and will never fly again for one reason or another such as structural cracks or being CANN’d to hell to feed the still flying fleet. Then you have to factor in aircraft that simply won’t help right now such as tankers/cargo aircraft or that have already been allocated to other countries via FMS. I suspect there’s not actually all that much there that would be of use, without sending unsafe airframes. >
  
  No worries, he's already dead inside >
  
  Maybe a weird question, but do we supply cigarettes to the Ukraine Army? Like it seems most the soldiers like to smoke. Have companies like Marlboro sent containers of cigarettes to them? >
  
  It lowers heart rates which helps people calm down, it's popular in Eastern Europe, and it's a small luxury for the troops that's easy to mass produce. >
  
  It's also a stimulant that keeps you alert. NASA mission controllers smoked on avarage 2 packs a day during Apollo 11. >
  
  He's a tax dodger, who is firmly in the "The West is evil camp". It's not just Russia, he defends China, Syria, Iran etc too. >
  
  He recently defended the Iranian government crackdown on protests - he's that fucked up. >
  
  Russian president of parliament: 'World-class tragedy if West supplies Leopard tanks'
  Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the Russian State Duma in Moscow, warns of a "world-scale tragedy" if Ukraine's allies proceed to deliver German Leopard 2 tanks to the country. “The supply of offensive weapons to the Kiev regime will lead to a global catastrophe,” Volodin writes on his Telegram channel. Russia would use "even more powerful weapons" if the US and NATO countries supplied weapons to Ukraine that could be used to recapture territories, it sounds.
  Volodin pointed out that Russia will consider attacks against the four annexed territories - Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson - as attacks on Russian territory. Members of the German Bundestag and parliaments in other countries must become aware of their responsibility towards humanity, according to the parliament speaker.
  Such decisions would lead to a "terrible war" with very different battles than before, he threatens. “Taking into account the technological superiority of Russian weapons, politicians abroad who make such decisions should understand that this may end in a world-class tragedy that will destroy their countries,” said Volodin.