War in Ukraine

I’ll risk it. Destruction of that bridge carries enormous symbolic value in addition to cutting off Crimea from much reinforcement and resupply. The Russians living there can leave the same way their ancestors came for all I care: they can walk through the neck or get on boats. To paraphrase Varys, “The smallfolk always suffer the most when great men play the game of thrones.” But there is price to pay for starting wars and then losing them; part of Russia’s price needs to be Crimea. Generously, though, they can have back their population.

 

How do you know we aren't

 

But it also makes the Russians get really nasty (I know, I know). I do find it funny that it's from 1996, the year of our first National Championship! Danny Wuerffel had a full head of hair (and mine was dark) when this was manufactured, and it still beat Russian defenses

 

himars wouldn't reach it. atacms should. ukraine hasn't had a reliable, precise weapon to get to it, until now.

 

I’m not convinced they have seriously tried. Taking out a bridge is no small matter. We can do it. I’m not sure if any others can. You don’t just have to have precision-guides munitions; they have to have deep penetration capability. I’m not certain an ATACMS can do what needs to be done.

 

Didn't know this. Don't approve..

Ukraine uses US-supplied ATACMS for the first time, says Zelensky
Because of concerns about tensions with Russia, the missiles provided to Ukraine have a lower range than the maximum the system is capable of, according to the Associated Press.

 

I assume you don't approve of the shorter range, not the donation of the missiles to Ukraine. I don't know if that is to prevent missiles from hitting Moscow, or if it is just a statement to make the Kremlin feel better about us donating the missiles to the fight. It is a longer range than what they have now. Being able to strike regional Russian military airfields is a big plus, as would be the Crimean bridge, if that is possible.

 

Ukraine has started a major offensive northeast of Kherson, with a crossing of the Dnipro River, which is at low levels. They have 7,000 troops across the river, along with tanks, artillery and armored vehicles. The move is viewed as high risk, and potentially high reward as they will likely go after logistical hubs.

Ukrainian forces cross Dnipro river in major tactical advance

 

The bridge would be near the max stated range. Less than max likely wouldn't reach it

 

ATACMs missiles may have "devastated" Russia's air force. Military commanders are rumored to be avoiding the U.S. missiles by hiding behind Putin's skirt, and Russian helicopters may be completely removed from the war. Russia's guided missile systems are now within range of the missiles, as are Russia's artillery systems. I hope we send more than 24 of these missiles.

Ukraine’s new American missiles may have devastated the Russian airforce

 

Just have a little patience. It wasn’t long ago that no ATACMS were allowed, no Abrams, no Patriots, and before that no HIMARS. The Ukrainians are proving themselves with the weapons we give them. Let them prove themselves with these (I think they will), and we can look at the next thing.

 

Maybe if Ukraine had a little incursion across the Dnipro River (which is rumored to be below normal levels), they could smuggle a missile launcher to a closer range and take a shot at the bridge. Ukraine has smuggled a Patriot system a little more forward than is normally recommended, and shot down multiple aircraft with it, so it wouldn't be the first time.

 

Bet Russia wishes they had those helicopters about now.

 

I’m just not sure they have the right weapons to take out that bridge. Once they capture the western end, engineers can destroy that side pretty easily, and there will be much rejoicing, and DD can tell us all how the Ukrainians played straight into Russian hands, and a big counteroffensive is coming any day now …

 

A Ukrainian brigade commander talks about the morale and capability of Russian infantry troops: "they're done". Russians can still fight with drones and whatever missiles and artillery they can find, but the fighting man for Russia has no fight left in him. The junior officers are also lacking severely in experience.

Ukrainian brigade commander: Russian regular troops are literally done

 

DD has gone an entire page (OVER ONE DAY!) without posting his daily propaganda. Either Russia is losing this war severely, or his propaganda supplier has met his balcony.

 

I’ll take your word for it.

 

Hopefully Ukraine has a serious counter battery system set up to identify and eliminate the russian artillery. Himars with clusters are tailor made for this and certainly Ukraine knew that this would bring out the artillery locations