The Russians are starting to rely on junk equipment, while Ukrainian equipment gets better and better.
Replying to my own post here. I saw this tweet (barf) from the UK Ministry of Defence, which supports the notion the Russians are running out of modern, front line equipment. Note: This is from a public source and not subject to copyright.
Russia is moving reserve forces from across the country and assembling them near Ukraine for future offensive operations.
A large proportion of the new infantry units are probably deploying with MT-LB armoured vehicles taken from long-term storage as their primary transport.
While MT-LBs have previously been in service in support roles on both sides, Russia has long considered them unsuitable for most front-line infantry transport roles.
It was originally designed in the 1950s as a tractor to pull artillery, has very limited armour, and only mounts a machine gun for protection.
In contrast, most of Russia’s first echelon assault units were equipped with BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles in February, featuring armour up to 33mm thick and mounting a powerful 30mm autocannon and an anti-tank missile launcher.
Despite President Putin’s claim on 07 July 2022 that the Russian military has ‘not even started’ its efforts in Ukraine, many of its reinforcements are ad hoc groupings, deploying with obsolete or inappropriate equipment.
I heard the same report on the regrouping of Russian forces.
How far reaching this is matters. It might be very far reaching.
Russia has not had the money for a proper rearming with an economy smaller than Italy’s.
Putin in many ways does not know his behind from his elbow. Amazing how angry apes take charge of a country. Only the dumbest Russians would believe he has any clue. Most are suffering silently. People universally know bull.
This is not going to end well for Putin existence.
…and where does the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 fit in to all this, Jeff…wherein Ukranine gave up its nukes for a number of promises relating to territorial integrity, etc…signed by Russia, among others?
Do you see any possible parallels between Putin and with Adolph Hitler’s approach pre-WWII, especially since, as you pointed out, this recent war was not Putin’s first grab of Ukrainian territory? Grab…stabilize…grab…stabilize…grab.
I suppose the West should have given Hitler Poland in 1939 to avoid wider war?? After all (and just like Putin’s Ukranian approach), it was the Poles who attacked/caused the war with Germany, not the reverse.
Yes, I know Russia has nukes; so does the West…and that has been the case for decades. If MAD is no longer a deterrent for Russia (or if Putin is able to sell that probable bluff), what does the West do next time/country? Help them fight a while and then surrender again? Or just surrender right away?
Hitler laid out his goals in Mein Kampf for all to see and the world ignored/discounted them. Putin has stated his goals regarding rightful “Russian” territories.
If we had moved earlier on Hiter, much of WWII would not have happened; we are at the same crossroads again.
Have we learned nothing? Human…and inhuman…nature have not changed.