This is an interesting article about some common shortcomings in the Russian and Chinese militaries compared to the U.S. The high level leaders in the military of both countries rarely have cross-training in other branches of the military, where it is fairly common in the U.S. (it has been a legal requirement since 1986). This causes a "silo mentality" in war that results in things like no air support for ground troops in Ukraine if control of the skies is contested. The generals of Russia and China are often somewhat ignorant of the details of logistics and maintenance, which is not generally true of U.S. generals. Russia has been very careless with supply lines and weapons and ammo supplies. Finally, a significant number of Chinese military leaders (half) have no operational experience--they are essentially politicians. Chairman Xi JinPing personally selects his high-level generals, likely based on loyalty to Xi and his programs, not necessarily based on abilities. They also have no experience in foreign countries. The differences between Russian and Chinese militaries includes better training for recruits in China, and the fact that Russia relies on 7-month conscripts for over 80% of its personnel. Chinese and Russian militaries share a potential weakness, new US report finds | CNN
Germany took control of three Russian oil refineries yesterday to make sure it complies with the EU oil embargo against Russia in January. Germany takes control of 3 Russian-owned oil refineries Rosneft said it had no intention of discontinuing imports of Russian oil, which would have put Germany in violation of its oil embargo agreements.
The inability to coordinate among armed services is a common trait of authoritarian and totalitarian militaries. It is a deliberate risk-mitigation measure for coups. During war, the regime will generally remove the obstacles to coordination, but that isn’t going to make a military suddenly good at it. An invasion of Taiwan, for instance, would enormous land-air-sea coordination.
Are you suggesting that when Stalin executed 60% of his officer corp prior to 1941 that it may have led to difficulties with the Soviet effort to defend it's territory during the Nazi invasion?? .......Nawww
Russia was real kind to the Polish Military in 39 after they conspired with Hitler and Ribbentrop to steal 50% of Poland. Took a few years to find that mass grave....... 60,000 or so as I recall. A rather bizarre situation considering it was the Nazi's, the most ruthless killers in modern history, whom blew the whistle on that particular "pogrom".
Putin threatens more scorched earth attacks on Ukraine, as he reaffirmed his goal of liberating southeastern Ukraine. At least Russia and Ukraine have a common goal in mind for the region. The nuances of the interpretation just need work... Russia destroyed a reservoir and made attacks on electricity supplies in Ukraine. With a grin, Putin warns Ukraine: the war can get more serious
Putin could turn up the pain dial significantly. But somehow, this ‘crazed madman’ is continuing fighting the US with one hand and four fingers behind his back.
He dosen't care, he eats well, has yachts, dachas in locations that have not been polluted or irradiated by Soviet era Industrialization. A true hero of the old Soviet system.
And it is astonishing that anyone has missed how Putin has made a painstaking case that Ukraine AS BEING USED BY THE WEST poses an existential threat to Russia. You can argue that it does not. But you cannot deny that he’s spelled it out. The problem is that nations already declared, by the US, as pariahs, are not allowed to have their reasons.
I believe they captured the general in charge of forces in that area. I sincerely hope that war crimes trials are held before he is given up in any sort of prison swap. Izyum is in the Kharkiv Oblast where he was supposedly captured. Top Russian Commander of Invading Army Captured by Ukraine—Report (newsweek.com) Images and video shared on Twitter and Telegram purportedly show Lieutenant General Andrei Sychevoi among a group of Russian troops handcuffed on their knees with one social media user saying they were near Balakliya, in the Kharkiv region. "It seems that the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured not the usual 'lieutenant colonel', but the commander of the 'West' grouping, Colonel General Andrey Sychevoi," it said. "What I find intriguing is that 6 Ukrainian soldiers surround him & look at him as if he is the big fish, & the way he looks away from the camera [he surrendered after all]", it added. Military analyst Rob Lee tweeted "Russian Telegram channels are already [pointing] the finger at Lieutenant General Sychevoi who is the 'West' group commander responsible for this area." "Striking similarity, isn't it?" wrote Twitter user Nordic Arctic Fox Operative who also tweeted a combined image of the Russian captured with Sychevoi in his garb.
We can’t forget to mention his impressive list of beautiful mistresses with a penchant for fat, bald, old men.
Nawww - Thats Ukrainian gals laughing at 10,000 ski comrade fannies running eastward, trying to pull up their underwear as they haul ass ............
Nah, nah, nah. Repositioning out of way of 400 NATO brigades illegally invading Russian Ukraine from west.
Now comes word that no more than a few hundred Russian troops were still stationed in Izyum, a city of decreasing significance to Russia. On word that NATO was advancing with as many as 9,000 troops, the Russians staged an orderly withdrawal. NATO effectively punched through air, overran its artillery and air cover and reportedly lost over halk its troops to Russian artillery and missile strikes.
It’s like being fitted with ear plugs, stuffed in a storage room, deep in the bowels of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and being fed minute-by-minute texts of the Gators routing the KY Wildcats.
