Russia invades Ukraine

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by blankall

They do have newer equipment, but it sounds like they are deploying a lot of the old stuff first.

This is the sinking feeling I have about this too. The Russian military had a bunch of old junk left over from the Soviet Union that they wanted to get rid of anyway, so they sent it into Ukraine along with their least skilled soldiers that they viewed as basically cannon fodder to thin out the Ukraine forces, and are planning to send in their best stuff once the Ukraine forces are already weakened and worn down.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

This is the sinking feeling I have about this too. The Russian military had a bunch of old junk left over from the Soviet Union that they wanted to get rid of anyway, so they sent it into Ukraine along with their least skilled soldiers that they viewed as basically cannon fodder to thin out the Ukraine forces, and are planning to send in their best stuff once the Ukraine forces are already weakened and worn down.

I don't give them that much credit.

Why not sell their "old junk" to African countries instead of just having it destroyed by Ukrainians and losing troops?

A brand new T-90 with no fuel is the same as a 50 year old T-72 with no fuel. They are bad military strategists, it turns out.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

That mode of thinking applies to human beings, too - the soldiers they're sending are clearly not their best trained or most valued troops, based on the reports we've seen to date.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by blankall

Russia is still using a lot of equipment that was designed as early as the 50s. They do have newer equipment, but it sounds like they are deploying a lot of the old stuff first.

The Eastern Block has always been like this.

In the '90's they were regularly using T-34s.

They never ever decommission stuff, they just move it to other areas of the Order of Battle.

[burn_this_city]

I think we've all vastly overrated Russia's armed forces. Their best stuff is in limited numbers and is probably plagued with reliability issues or isn't in the same league as NATO equipment.

Its a corrupt country, top to bottom, the entire society. Corruption always breeds complacency and a lack of diligence. The haughty Russian attitude that they're the best and everyone should watch out is bull####.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I think we've all vastly overrated Russia's armed forces. Their best stuff is in limited numbers and is probably plagued with reliability issues or isn't in the same league as NATO equipment.

Its a corrupt country, top to bottom, the entire society. Corruption always breeds complacency and a lack of diligence. The haughty Russian attitude that they're the best and everyone should watch out is bull####.

They have nukes. That's all that matters.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I think we've all vastly overrated Russia's armed forces. Their best stuff is in limited numbers and is probably plagued with reliability issues or isn't in the same league as NATO equipment.

Its a corrupt country, top to bottom, the entire society. Corruption always breeds complacency and a lack of diligence. The haughty Russian attitude that they're the best and everyone should watch out is bull####.

I always believe the West would win a conventional war and it wouldn't be close.

Originally Posted by corporatejay

They have nukes. That's all that matters.

This is the draw back......

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Not picking on you … I’ve seen quite a few instances online of Russia and Ukraine being called Russian and Ukrainian and am wondering if that is just a common typo/autocorrect or does it come from translation from those languages. Just a random question.

In this case I was typing, “not Russian made”, and then decided to change the sentence around, but didn’t correct the Russia/Russian. Though, when I typed in “Russia” iOS thinks I want “Russian” as I type.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Pointman

Why Russia could not just buy Crimea from Ukraine. Like USA bought Alaska from Russia. It would be cheaper than this war for everyone.

They essentially tried that in 2014 when Putin offered Ukraine $15 billion (bribe) to step away from the West and let Russia guide their policy. It ended up being a very unpopular thing on the street level and led to the overthrow of the government and subsequent invasion of Crimea anyway.

[Krovikan]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

https://twitter.com/user/status/1499377671855292423

Interesting thread about the Russian paratroopers they dropped into Hostomel, which have been wiped out by the Ukrainian special forces, and the overall war strategy by Russia.

When I think of modern para-troopers, I think of Canada's JFT and Seal Teams, special elite units, that utilize jumps during the night for stealth.

It's crazy that Russia would used para-troopers like this.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by moncton golden flames

Russia needs water for Crimea, and that comes from mainland Ukraine.

Country needs water so it invades the neighbouring country. Let’s not give the U.S. any ideas.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by moneyguy

country invades other country, then discovers the bit it captured has no water, country proves to be not very bright, country needs water so it invades the neighbouring country. Let’s not give the u.s. Any ideas.

fyp

[Southside]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

They have nukes. That's all that matters.

Given the apparent lack of readiness of all other equipment i couldn't help but wonder if their ICBMs are maintained. I'm sure there is required maintenance on those too?

[burn_this_city]

Russia isn't going to use nukes in Ukraine so it's kind of irrelevant. Their nukes aren't stopping us from providing weapons or assistance in other ways.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Little early for the "Mission Accomplished" banner, I'd say.

He attacked. West has retaliated. He can still counter and he has some huge fataing tricks up his sleeve, still.

“Drop your sanctions and give me Ukraine or I will start a nuclear war”

What do you do?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Krovikan

When I think of modern para-troopers, I think of Canada's JFT and Seal Teams, special elite units, that utilize jumps during the night for stealth.

It's crazy that Russia would used para-troopers like this.

For sure. Even our regular paratrooper companies would never be deployed that way. It's just not tactically feasible anymore. We really just maintain proficiency to maintain a NATO standard. The last western paradrop I can think of was the US in '03 in Iraq, but it was really only done for the sake of doing it, it wasn't necessary at all. They dropped into an airfield that was already secured by friendly forces.

So yeah, to see Russia actually deploy them like they did is just.... crazy to me

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

This is my train of thought too. Once their import supply of everyday goods is depleted and everyday folk start going without, protests will turn to riots.

They won't have enough jail cells to hold the amount of people that will be on the streets pushing back.

I sincerely hope the Russians use their sheer numbers to their advantage.

They need only unify and march on these ####ers.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by btimbit

For sure. Even our regular paratrooper companies would never be deployed that way. It's just not tactically feasible anymore. We really just maintain proficiency to maintain a NATO standard. The last western paradrop I can think of was the US in '03 in Iraq, but it was really only done for the sake of doing it, it wasn't necessary at all. They dropped into an airfield that was already secured by friendly forces.

So yeah, to see Russia actually deploy them like they did is just.... crazy to me

Need to modernize paratroopers by giving them wing suits or jet packs.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by edslunch

“Drop your sanctions and give me Ukraine or I will start a nuclear war”

What do you do?

Say...."no you won't".

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Need to modernize paratroopers by giving them wing suits or jet packs.

Yikes there's a thought. Bunch of splattered Russians because their jet packs ran out of fuel too