Rumours that Russia is planning to blow up churches in the occupied territories during Christmas mass as justification for full mobilization. Apartment bombings in 1999 leading to the 2nd Chechen war anyone?
ABC news is reporting they have confirmation Americans will be sending M2 Bradleys to Ukraine soon. These were used to great effect against Iraqi T-72s in the first Gulf War. French are confirmed to sending an unconfirmed number AMX-10RC light tanks (wheeled). This is putting a lot of pressure on the Germans to send something as well, probably the Marder IFVs (more than likely Scholz will still say no to sending Leopard 2s, and continue blocking their re-export from other countries who have offered, like Spain).
Hopefully these will all arrive in time for spring. Ukrainians have been projecting they will need 2 full armored divisions ready for a big counter offensive by then.
Not everything is going well for Ukraine forces right now. It appears that Russia has made a significant breakthrough in Soledar on the front line just north of Bakhmut and Ukraine forces were forced to retreat.
This is the first significant win since Russia won Severodonetsk and Lysychans'k and exposes Bakhmut on the northern side.
Rumours that Russia is planning to blow up churches in the occupied territories during Christmas mass as justification for full mobilization. Apartment bombings in 1999 leading to the 2nd Chechen war anyone?
Could Russia even fully mobilize at all at this point? Like, are they going to be pulling T-55s out of storage?
Could Russia even fully mobilize at all at this point? Like, are they going to be pulling T-55s out of storage?
There never was any "partial" mobilization. They've already been mobilizing as much as they realistically, and then some, with no limits on who can get drafted. I mean, they didn't even have guns and uniforms to give everyone.
If there's a functioning tank in storage somewhere, it's tactical reserves.
"Partial" mobilization was just one BS line Putin said at one point to make things more palatable to his people.
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Great news. Looks like the tank "dam" is finally breaking. A shame Ukrainians had to pay in literal blood before that choice was made. But better late than never I guess.
The Swiss are still being ####bags though. At this point their "neutrality" might as well align them with Russia, like it did the Nazis.
Good on Spain for pushing hard for it though. Hopefully they can knock some sense into them
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Spain wants to deliver military material to Ukraine, but is prevented from doing so by Switzerland. Switzerland would have to issue a permit for the re-export of certain armaments.
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Switzerland bans the shipment of certain military material from Spain to Ukraine. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said in an interview with Spanish ambassadors on Tuesday. With its veto, Switzerland is currently preventing any transport of military material from Spain to Ukraine.
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Switzerland does not give the green light. According to Robles, Madrid will endeavor to obtain the appropriate permits in Bern.
I'm no battlefield expert but I would imagine Ukraine needs main battle tanks in order to push an offensive to retake occupied areas. Only so much HIMARSing you can do before you eventually need to move in.
I'm not excited to see the conflict escalate, but this might be the time where escalate to deescalate works.
