Thoughts on the Russo-Ukranian War?

I3BrigPvSk said:
The attacks have some sort of probing, if the Ukrainians find a weak spot, they will exploit it. I also think the attacks have another purpose, to find Russian supply routes. logistical hubs, and artillery positions, but all we can do is wait and see.
Click to expand...

I am more inclined to think it is diversionary, somewhere there are nine brigades yet what we are seeing company sized engagements.
 
I3BrigPvSk said:
We can only wait and see what happens.
Click to expand...

All true,
At least they appear to through the first line in a couple of places just using the TDF.

There was a joke going around about Russian media praising Russian troops for taking back a village near Bakhmut that the Russian military had said was under their control and that the Ukrainians hadn't claimed they had liberated.
 
MontyB said:
All true,
At least they appear to through the first line in a couple of places just using the TDF.

There was a joke going around about Russian media praising Russian troops for taking back a village near Bakhmut that the Russian military had said was under their control and that the Ukrainians hadn't claimed they had liberated.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the Russians have learned it from Baghdad Bob
 
The Ukrainian forces seem to be advancing, but slowly when it doesn't look like the major offensive. There are indication the Ukrainians have suffered casualties and lost Leo2s and Bradley vehicles

It seems the Ukrainians aren't using their artillery to hit the Russian defenses yet
 
I3BrigPvSk said:
The Ukrainian forces seem to be advancing, but slowly when it doesn't look like the major offensive. There are indication the Ukrainians have suffered casualties and lost Leo2s and Bradley vehicles

It seems the Ukrainians aren't using their artillery to hit the Russian defenses yet
Click to expand...

They were always going to lose equipment, not sure why Russia thinks knocking out a couple of tanks and a handful of Bradley's is a victory.

I still am not convinced this is the offensive at all but I suspect this is a shaping operation to get through the first Russian lines and the artillery and offensive will become clearer once they reach the main defence lines.
 
MontyB said:
They were always going to lose equipment, not sure why Russia thinks knocking out a couple of tanks and a handful of Bradley's is a victory.

I still am not convinced this is the offensive at all but I suspect this is a shaping operation to get through the first Russian lines and the artillery and offensive will become clearer once they reach the main defence lines.
Click to expand...

The same reason why the Russian fought so hard for a pile of rubble once called Bakhmut and now it's about a few knocked out vehicles. To claim some sort of victory.

I have been struggling with what the Ukrainians are doing. We had a term for something similar and that is combat patrols. Seeking combat to find the enemy's weak spots, strong spots, supply routes, logistical hubs, and other vital positions. However, we didn't do it on the same level as what the Ukrainians are doing.
 
I3BrigPvSk said:
The same reason why the Russian fought so hard for a pile of rubble once called Bakhmut and now it's about a few knocked out vehicles. To claim some sort of victory.

I have been struggling with what the Ukrainians are doing. We had a term for something similar and that is combat patrols. Seeking combat to find the enemy's weak spots, strong spots, supply routes, logistical hubs, and other vital positions. However, we didn't do it on the same level as what the Ukrainians are doing.
Click to expand...

Pretty much every satellite map shows that area as the weak point in Russian fortifications, my guess would be prep work by flattening out the line to get a access to the main fortification over a wider area.
 
MontyB said:
Pretty much every satellite map shows that area as the weak point in Russian fortifications, my guess would be prep work by flattening out the line to get a access to the main fortification over a wider area.
Click to expand...

These probing attacks or whatever we want to call them have purpose. All visual reconnaissance by airplanes, drones, and satellite can never tell about the Russian morale. to find where the Russians don't put up with a hard resistance. Some Russian units are fighting with a mobile defense and causes problems for the Ukrainians
 
I3BrigPvSk said:
These probing attacks or whatever we want to call them have purpose. All visual reconnaissance by airplanes, drones, and satellite can never tell about the Russian morale. to find where the Russians don't put up with a hard resistance. Some Russian units are fighting with a mobile defense and causes problems for the Ukrainians
Click to expand...

What are the chances the Merkarva is going to turn up in Ukraine?

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-fi...ed-merkava-tank-to-2-countries-one-in-europe/
 
It seems the Ukrainians need troop air defense. They have faced Russian helicopter gunships which can be dangerous to armored vehicles.
 
George said:
So far they haven't sold the Iron Dome system that Ukraine has a need for, don't want to upset the Russians.
Click to expand...

I suspect that may change if Iran goes ahead with building drone factories in Russia, I think Israels involvement pretty much depends on Iranian involvement.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/iran-helping-moscow-build-drone-factory-russia-us-says-rcna88542

As far as the Merkava goes I am not sure sending the Mk2 would be the right option as it will add yet another ammunition type to the Ukrainian logistics nightmare with its 105mm gun, the Mk III seems the better option with its 120mm gun.

On a lighter note, Prigozhen is looking to buy F-35s off New Zealand.
I think the guy needs to lay off the vodka for a day or two.
 
Last edited:
MontyB said:
I suspect that may change if Iran goes ahead with building drone factories in Russia, I think Israels involvement pretty much depends on Iranian involvement.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/iran-helping-moscow-build-drone-factory-russia-us-says-rcna88542

As far as the Merkava goes I am not sure sending the Mk2 would be the right option as it will add yet another ammunition type to the Ukrainian logistics nightmare with its 105mm gun, the Mk III seems the better option with its 120mm gun.

On a lighter note, Prigozhen is looking to buy F-35s off New Zealand.
I think the guy needs to lay off the vodka for a day or two.
Click to expand...

I think the Ukrainian armed forces need air defenses to protect its ground forces more than it needs something similar to the Iron Dome.

Does Israel have any Mk2 in storage? When a tank gets an upgrade, they usually keep the chassi of the older models. The majority of the upgrades are in the turrets and it is cheaper to get a new turret than to get an entire new tank.
 
I3BrigPvSk said:
I think the Ukrainian armed forces need air defenses to protect its ground forces more than it needs something similar to the Iron Dome.

Does Israel have any Mk2 in storage? When a tank gets an upgrade, they usually keep the chassi of the older models. The majority of the upgrades are in the turrets and it is cheaper to get a new turret than to get an entire new tank.
Click to expand...

They must have some as they are looking at selling up to 200 Mk2 and Mk3s.

Here's a question for you, have you seen any reactive armour on any of the western vehicles in Ukraine, I don't recall seeing any.
 
The Merkava is an amazing but of kit, as is well known, she was designed for warfare in open country/desert warfare, somehow I don't see her doing too well in Europe.
 
MontyB said:
They must have some as they are looking at selling up to 200 Mk2 and Mk3s.

Here's a question for you, have you seen any reactive armour on any of the western vehicles in Ukraine, I don't recall seeing any.
Click to expand...

The last time I saw reactive armor on a western vehicle was during the first Gulf War when the M60 tanks used by the US Marine Corps had reactive armor, so no. I haven't seen any western made vehicles with reactive armor in Ukraine. Reactive armor is a Soviet/Russian thing to reduce the effect of HEAT rounds, it has a lesser effect on SABOT rounds which use kinetic energy to penetrate armor.

Modern western armor vehicles use composite armor, the first one to use is the Leo2 and the Challenger 1, the composite armor is also called Chobham armor because the British was the guys who invented it.
 
BritinBritain said:
The Merkava is an amazing but of kit, as is well known, she was designed for warfare in open country/desert warfare, somehow I don't see her doing too well in Europe.
Click to expand...

I like the concept of it. It has the engine in the front as additional protection for the crew and it has the space for an infantry squad as well. It would theoretically work in Europe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top