War in Ukraine

Putin still has the support of the majority of Russians. That could very well change as the Russian people start interring their sons, husbands and brothers in military cemeteries.

 

I hope so, too. But offense and defense are two different animals. Historically, the necessary figure is 3:1 for two evenly matched powers. That ratio has been in Ukraine’s favor up until now. It reverses to Russia’s favor if and when Ukraine goes on the attack. It’s also one hell of a lot easier to organize and mass supporting arms on defense. If I were advising the Ukrainians, then I would tell them to take offensive action only for limited objectives and only in the circumstances where they can achieve local superiority. A mismanaged offensive could put their head right back into the Russian jaw.

 

Well, at least not until after they spend their 140 rubles and use up all 12 oz. of their canola oil anyway...

 

On this you and I both agree that kind of authority in one person's hands is always of concern. My concern is codifying the use against a nation for whatever reasons all but guarantees a nuclear war. There is no deliberation or consideration within the halls of government let alone with other nations concerning an appropriate response. It becomes the letter of the law that rests on one person's decision.

 

Agree with one caveat. I think the US GPS-guided artillery could lower that ratio significantly.

 

Agreed.

With different steppe leadership, I'd be shouting "IT'S A TRAP!" to the Ukranians. But in this case....

 

Aye, that it would. Provided we’re the ones giving the Ukrainians the coordinates. That’s where our good but dorky friends in the Space Force come in once more.

 

Creeping barrage FTW!

 

Not an artillery man, but that is a technique requiring a lot of skill and practice. I hope they have one if not the other.

Also, necessary to point out that the biggest force multipliers the Ukrainians have had to date are the man-portable Stingers and Javelins. While those are not worthless on the offensive, they certainly don’t have the same utility either.

 

Yeah, Id guess the Ukranian Armed Forces don't practice offensive maneuvers very often.

I'm just day dreaming of crushing defeats

 

It appears they’ve been successful in retaking Kharkiv so some limited offensive pushes have worked.

 

Unfortunately, no. Kharkiv is on the northern Ukrainian border with Russia. But it’s nice to see them push the Russians back into Russia in this one area.

 

Ukraine’s IT Army is disrupting Russia's alcohol distribution

 

Or stop believing that supporting the invasion is healthier for them.