I think the challenge, even if we were recreating the Eagle Squadrons/Flying Tigers (i.e. US pilots flying in foreign air forces as “volunteers”) is that we would probably need to limit it to flying equipment that is at least of a type Ukraine already has - if we’re sending “volunteer” US pilots in USAF equipment, there’s no plausible deniability or practical difference between that and just outright saying “the United States is providing combat air support to Ukraine.” And we don’t exactly have an Air Force full of pilots trained on how to fly Sukhoi ground attack planes.
Perhaps not completely saddled, but the post soviet history of Ukraine is a story of people trying to not be under Russian control while corrupt actors in Kiev and Moscow played power games. This is potentially, the culmination of that history.
Thank you...to follow up though, there's already US/NATO equipment being sent. What's the difference between a Ukranian operating it versus an American? The volunteer is there under an International corps. It's not like it's active duty personnel. Is there anything that we have that is similar to what the Ukranians use? That way it's a fast learn?
If anyone watches "Oversimplified" on YT (highly HIGHLY recommend), their WW2 video had Hitler shooting his reflection in a mirror and the dart ricocheting back to Hitler (so shooting himself). Last one was to the head, which was funny. This feels like what Putin is doing. Btw for those with kids that may not like history...can't recommend that series enough.
Nope, Ukraine is operating a bunch of former Soviet equipment. A few NATO/EU members still have Soviet jets that they are phasing out (Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria) but it’s not credible to pretend there are Ukranian pilots flying US equipment/ Eurofighters/ Tornados/ SaaBs.
Have anything to back this claim up? Also, what good do 3-4 months from now do for Ukraine? At that point, we are hoping that forces Russia to give Ukraine back to its people...
Again you can't hide from the information age. Just awful for that soldier & his family. And from a dead man's lips...yes they are targeting civilians. Putin lovers will say it's a lie, probably.
Maybe. Depends on how fast infrastructure gets taken out, and of course we don't know those are all the numbers. The US (guess Russia too) could have more. We also don't know the full defensive capabilities (think Star Wars level) that the US has. I think the Russians take him out before then. Edit - Russia threatening nukes is a violation of their own NPT. Anyone know if there are penalties for that? Not that it matters becuase theyre being sent back to the 1920s right now but just curious.
Pretty clear that our conventional forces would make short work of that invading Russian army. That whole getting us all vaporized thing though....
I grasp what you're saying. If Ukraine weren't a sovereign country but some breakaway state, it would be a different story. Even if Putin views NATO as threatening because Ukraine seeks NATO membership and we have forces in Europe, he doesn't just get to start a war. There's an emptiness and perversion to his claims and acontrived causus belli. Not recognizing this is to justify Putin's actions.
Irony is that not only did Putin just solidify the need for NATO but now more countries want to join because he just proved the point of NATO.
I appreciate your sentiment, but NATO membership is a lengthy process for a reason, including having forces at a certain level of technology and readiness, before membership is granted. I’m pretty sure the EU is a process too, but it sure is a good step.
Exactly. Couldn't have said it any better. There's probably a term for it, but it has a Streisand Effect quality to it in its unintended consequences.
