Thoughts and Comments on Current Russian,Ukrainian Conflict/War

[ThirstyBarbarian]

I'm going to make a rash assumption* and assume that the Ukrainians know what they're doing. They seem to be doing pretty well so far. With that out of the way, there's this picture from the news this morning:
View attachment 507153
I'm pretty sure that with a 5-minute orientation on an RPG, even a middle-aged peacenik desk jockey like me could have done serious damage to this convoy from the trees with little or no fear of actually getting caught by return fire. People who know what they're doing could probably have made an absolute hash of them.

So either (a) the Ukrainians are waiting to attack until the convoy is closer (why not let the Russians burn some more fuel if they're regularly running short?), (b) the air cover and other support is so good that the Ukrainian forces can't get into the trees, or (c) the Ukrainian forces are stretched thin enough that other targets are more important for now, which is a corollary of (a). I'd like to believe (a) and that the Ukrainians are going to use places like this to shred the remains of the convoy as they try to retreat, but that's just my hopes and dreams from half a world away.

* Never make assumptions about rashes! Get those checked out by a medical professional!

Lets hope it’s s military rope-a-dope, and not that they just don’t have the capacity to do it. It seems like this is a chance to wipe out a large part of the invasion force.

 

[user 13]

I'm going to make a rash assumption* and assume that the Ukrainians know what they're doing. They seem to be doing pretty well so far. With that out of the way, there's this picture from the news this morning:
View attachment 507153
I'm pretty sure that with a 5-minute orientation on an RPG, even a middle-aged peacenik desk jockey like me could have done serious damage to this convoy from the trees with little or no fear of actually getting caught by return fire. People who know what they're doing could probably have made an absolute hash of them.

So either (a) the Ukrainians are waiting to attack until the convoy is closer (why not let the Russians burn some more fuel if they're regularly running short?), (b) the air cover and other support is so good that the Ukrainian forces can't get into the trees, or (c) the Ukrainian forces are stretched thin enough that other targets are more important for now, which is a corollary of (a). I'd like to believe (a) and that the Ukrainians are going to use places like this to shred the remains of the convoy as they try to retreat, but that's just my hopes and dreams from half a world away.

* Never make assumptions about rashes! Get those checked out by a medical professional!

Maybe we could "loan" an AC-130 and an aircrew or two. Spectre would make short work of that. Assuming they had aircover.

 

[user 13]

Let’s put off the Canadian invasion until summer. Summer works better for me.

Thats good, I'm 1/2 Canadian and would rather spend the summer in the internment camp...

 

[heada]

Maybe we could "loan" an AC-130 and an aircrew or two. Spectre would make short work of that. Assuming they had aircover.

I was thinking a few Reapers.

 

[Arnie]

I’m seeing guests on Cable News talk shows recommending the US knock out Russian Caravans converging on Kiev with airpower, drop in the 82nd Airborne to combat Russian Infantry, deploy Warthogs to destroy Russian tanks. If it was up to me I’d be very careful challenging Russia on Russia’s front porch. Putin isn’t Saddam Hussein, and the Russian Army is not the Iraqi army. It’s been a long time since the US has engaged a peer enemy. The results might not be so good. Also, putting the screws to Russia economically with the “Mother of All Sanctions” might not have such a good outcome either, especially if the Country is destabilized, and Russian leadership begins feeling desperate and paranoid.

 

[JLP1]

Man what a flight of A-10's could do with that target rich environment Harks back to 91 and the road from Kuwait back to Baghdad. aka (Highway of Death)

 

[heada]

I’m seeing guests on Cable News talk shows recommending the US knock out Russian Caravans converging on Kiev with airpower, drop in the 82nd Airborne to combat Russian Infantry, deploy Warthogs to destroy Russian tanks. If it was up to me I’d be very careful challenging Russia on Russia’s front porch. Putin isn’t Saddam Hussein, and the Russian Army is not the Iraqi army. It’s been a long time since the US has engaged a peer enemy. The results might not be so good. Also, putting the screws to Russia economically with the “Mother of All Sanctions” might not have such a good outcome either, especially if the Country is destabilized, and Russian leadership begins feeling desperate and paranoid.

US/NATO could obtain air superiority in a day or two. After that, remove all Russian convoys and armored items via C-130s, A-10s and drones. Leave the small-arms fights up to the Ukrainians. They have a vested interest in the fight and would do a much better job of it than us.

 

[jderimig]

Its a narrow road.... Can't it just be cratered for the 15 miles?

 

[dr wogz]

Let’s put off the Canadian invasion until summer. Summer works better for me.

You do realize this then means Mosquito & black fly season. Not to mention the short Bass season we have.. (Either you or I will be tossing a plug at them!

 

[hball55]

And don't damage the breweries.

Molson tastes like skunk beer. Ok to bomb them.

 

[PhilC]

What happens when a NATO country attacks another NATO country? I have no idea so I'm truly curious.

Greece and Turkey have come close a few times. I'd guess that the other NATO nations would do a lot of high-level arm twisting.
In my time in the RAF there seemed to be a policy in NATO that Greeks and Turks should never work in the same office or be placed in command over each other.

 

[hball55]

I’m seeing guests on Cable News talk shows recommending the US knock out Russian Caravans converging on Kiev with airpower, drop in the 82nd Airborne to combat Russian Infantry, deploy Warthogs to destroy Russian tanks. If it was up to me I’d be very careful challenging Russia on Russia’s front porch. Putin isn’t Saddam Hussein, and the Russian Army is not the Iraqi army. It’s been a long time since the US has engaged a peer enemy. The results might not be so good. Also, putting the screws to Russia economically with the “Mother of All Sanctions” might not have such a good outcome either, especially if the Country is destabilized, and Russian leadership begins feeling desperate and paranoid.

I watched a former General on FOX News and pundits on CNN call for U.S. troops to intervene in Ukraine. I hope our leaders don’t listen to these hawks.

 

[hball55]

You do realize this then means Mosquito & black fly season. Not to mention the short Bass season we have.. (Either you or I will be tossing a plug at them!

Wouldn’t explosive ordnance work better than plugs? I’ve seen it work in movies and tv shows, namely PT109 and McHale’s Navy.

 

[heada]

Greece and Turkey have come close a few times. I'd guess that the other NATO nations would do a lot of high-level arm twisting.
In my time in the RAF there seemed to be a policy in NATO that Greeks and Turks should never work in the same office or be placed in command over each other.

Turkey/Greece was what I was thinking of. There have been a few things Turkey has done that made me question if they were really invested in NATO but it always has worked out in the end.

 

[Peartree]

I wonder how much of the equipment the Ukrainians have captured is stuff they can actually use to support their own army. Trucks and other basic transportation vehicles should be easy enough. What about the armored personnel carriers, tanks, artillery, and rocket systems? I’m sure that some of these require some specialized training to use effectively, but maybe there are members of the Ukrainian military who are familiar with them. If the Russians keep running out of gas, this could be a great opportunity to pick up some decent gear!

Since a) Most of the tanks are similar to, or exactly the same as what the Soviets were driving a couple decades ago, and b) since many Ukrainians were once conscripted to fight in the Soviet military, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find that there are a bunch of 50 or 60 year old guys who can still remember how to do exactly that (if they can still squeeze into a tank).

 

[heada]

Wouldn’t explosive ordnance work better than plugs? I’ve seen it work in movies and tv shows, namely PT109 and McHale’s Navy.

Now don't go blowin' up Canada's fishing. Between the smallmouth bass and the northern pike and the walleyes, them's some good fishin' AND eatin' I have ALOT of very good memories of going up north on boy scout trips, both as a scout and as a leader, canoeing the lakes, camping and fishing and just enjoying the wonderful land.

 

[cerving]

Molson tastes like skunk beer. Ok to bomb them.

Just don't bomb Labatt's.

 

[cerving]

I watched a former General on FOX News and pundits on CNN call for U.S. troops to intervene in Ukraine. I hope our leaders don’t listen to these hawks.

General Buck Turgidson, perhaps?

 

[boatgeek]

Lets hope it’s s military rope-a-dope, and not that they just don’t have the capacity to do it. It seems like this is a chance to wipe out a large part of the invasion force.

Maybe we could "loan" an AC-130 and an aircrew or two. Spectre would make short work of that. Assuming they had aircover.

Apparently, I needed an option (d): wait until the trucks run out of gas 50 miles from their objective and then laugh at them. Disclaimer: I don't know who Jack Detsch is or how good his sources are. Fog of war, etc. etc.



I've seen other reports that the Russians are using civilian communications equipment, so it's easy for the Ukrainians to listen in and jam them. Oy.

 

[jderimig]

Potatoes in the exhaust pipes maybe?

 

[Matt_The_RocketMan]

Sooo yeah great timing Army....

 

[dr wogz]

Just don't bomb Labatt's.

eww, that & Molson's shod be the first ones to go..

There are many many micro breweries to discover!

 

[Peartree]

eww, that & Molson's shod be the first ones to go..

There are many many micro breweries to discover!

That's funny. Usually when I've heard disparaging remarks about Labatt (from Americans) nearby Canadians launch into an explanation that the "good Labatt" beer is never exported.

 

[Greg Furtman]

Yes, fear the Canadian winter. Just as the Russian winter defeated both Napoleon and Hitler, the Canadian winter could do just the same to the U.S.

And don't forget that the Finnish Winter defeated the Soviets. Also, the sport of biathlon was born during the Winter War by Finns cross country skiing across Soviet lines shooting as they skied.

 

[hball55]

That's funny. Usually when I've heard disparaging remarks about Labatt (from Americans) nearby Canadians launch into an explanation that the "good Labatt" beer is never exported.

That’s probably true. I know that imported San Miguel beer is not even close to comparable to San Miguel beer in the Philippines. I love San Miguel dark beer, just not the import. It’s been 45 years since I’ve had one.

 

[OverTheTop]

Your biggest problem is the c-c-cold of our winters, an the miles & miles between towns! Maybe the French road signs when you enter Quebec..

Try reading electronic signs in Quebec, written only in French, when on a freeway. Been there, done that .

 

[aerostadt]

I am not sure that the Russian soldiers have their hearts in Putin's vision of empire.

 

[Knundrm]

It's not that the Russian people are stupid, it's that they've been living in autocratic regimes for hundreds of years, and they expect their leaders to tell them what to do, with no alternative media to contradict it. They're used to believing what they are told. Putin is behaving exactly like the guys before him... the Tsars, Lennin, Stalin, etc. Ukraine was a relatively easy target for takeover because they're not a NATO member, so he knew that a military response was almost certainly not going to be in the cards. What I'm afraid of is that he'll go after one of the smaller NATO Baltic republics like Latvia, which borders both Russia and Belarus... that would raise the stakes by an order of magnitude.

Yeltsin was the stupid one for picking a KGB Officer as his #2.

 

[SkyFire]

 

[MJW]

How much more of Putin's war will the world tolerate? It's got to end.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/01/europe/ukraine-russia-invasion-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html