Oh, I think it’s quite true that there’s always a danger of fighting between service members. I just think it’s outlawed and frowned on, rather than being encouraged as a disciplinary tactic like it once was.
From my recent reading, it seems like the Russians have been trying to clamp down on their (much worse) version of the problem for decades; but having never built up a corp of genuine NCOs (as opposed to the people with ranks and badges but no actual authority) they’ve never succeeded at enforcement.
Janster
3329
I had hopes for Putin getting a bloody nose, but looks like the Ukraine army has dissolved or melted away…I guess I can’t blame them, but I hope not :(
Exactly. And that’s necessary. Warfare has changed a lot in those years. In Vietnam it was “shoot everything, burn everything” and today there’s actually some effort made to not kill absolutely everyone, even if war looks as ugly as it always has.
They’re heavily outnumbered and outflanked on multiple sides. They can fight and die in place, or they fall back. Their best bet is urban combat.
vyshka
3333
And despite what Russia says, they’ve had their share of casualties
What’s this melting away? Where are you getting that from?
Janster
3335
There are few or almost no troops in Kiev…I doubt it will last long.
abrandt
3336
Where are you getting this from?
MrTibbs
3337
The UN security council just released a 30 second statement (taken from the stream linked below):
A permanent member of the Security Council is waging war to crush a neighboring state, this is happening in the very heart of Europe. The secretary general has been clear, this is contrary to all UN principles, Russia is trampling on the UN charter. France and EU stand in full solidarity and support of Ukraine, we have already adopted strong measures to make sure that all this comes to a heavy price for Russia. Russia has to stop its war. This is why today in the Security Council we are voting on a resolution to stop this aggression, each member will have to make a choice and take responsibility.
Dejin
3338
1,000,000 PLN is roughly $250,000.
Buying time is victory for Ukraine. Instead of total victory Putin backs down and pretends he didn’t announced total control over Ukraine few days back. I don’t know how anybody can see this as Ukraine’s weakness.
Galdred
3340
That is another reason the US depoly military bases everywhere:
If there is an US base in a country (like there were in Germany during the cold war), there is not possibility for backing down for NATO (at least for US), so there is no temptation to try to see whether it is a bluff.
I doubt they would want to directly take over, as it would cause them a lot of troubles. Installing a puppet government is usually much easier.
Reportedly, Sumy is back under Ukrainian control. If by bloody nose you mean Russia losing, yeah, that’s not gonna happen. Ukraine is fighting, but they’re massively outnumbered and will eventually lose barring a diplomatic breakthrough or other nations joining in.
abrandt
3342
I want to believe the logistics system is that bad. It’s easy for autocratic governments especially to become obsessed with the numbers on paper as the important things like logistics rots away. However, I’d also expect Russia/Putin to be better than that, but what do I know.
If the map posted earlier showing where the Russians are at in country is remotely accurate, I look at the relatively narrow line of territory they hold between Belarus and Kiev and think how open that looks to all kind of fucking with supply lines.
I don’t understand why we’re not there on the ground, right now…
With a single body part, no less!
