>> The author believes that a better solution is to create official groups removed from the infantry so they can continue to provide support to the infantry that saves lives.
- ISW "A milblogger and advisor to the Kursk Oblast Governor claimed that the Russian military commanders seem to be afraid that the Russian MoD will deprive them of available manpower for assaults by reallocating drone operators from their current units to Russian MoD-operated “technical drone battalions,” and are instead committing these drone operators to assaults to sabotage this effort. Russian milbloggers also criticized the Russian MoD’s efforts to create separate, specialized “technical drone battalions,” citing the lack of a joint Russian communications system that would allow dedicated drone units to closely coordinate with assault units. Russian milbloggers also complained that it would take the Russian MoD a long time to establish communications between newly centralized drone units and assault units, which will result in Russian assault elements temporarily losing drone coverage."
I can never remember the common names of those large numbers beyond a trillion. Reason why I prefer scientific notation such as your 10EXP33 [10^33]. Glad I majored in science and engineering for its preference for mathematical orders of magnitude, although I also earned a graduate business admin degree with more accounting (which I hated!) than I care to admit. Numbers get so silly when they go beyond a trillion when one tries to describe them in non-math language! **LOL**
When writing about diplomacy the problems with establishing the results of Parliament election in Georgia are first described, and then, without mentioning the country, the fact that pro-EU leader declared herself a winner. And the link goes to the news on Moldova President election. In such a way two elections in two different countries are mixed for a reader.
Trump may give Ukraine to Putin by ending aid, ending sanctions. Europe's main powers, excepting Poland, aren't serious and don't have sufficient capacity to make up the difference anyhow.
I believe nukes are best try for Ukraine. Most disagree. The arguments aren't questioning Ukraine's capability, they are saying that Ukraine's backers would pull support to punish Ukraine for a weapons program. Not sure they would, though, if their own security is tied to Ukraine's. Plus Ukraine would have a better bargaining position for joining NATO or some European alliance as a nuclear state.
Is there a fallback alternative to make Ukraine indigestible for Russia by preparing a guerilla war based out of Poland?
Trump cannot force Ukraine to stop fighting and Europe to stop aiding Ukraine. If Trump does decided to end aid to the US he would have to overcome support from the Democratic and non-MAGA Republicans in the House and Senate. There are a lot of possibilities. He may not choose to fight against the non-MAGA Republicans on this issue. He may choose to fight them and overcome them with fears that he may campaign against them in their party primaries, as has happened in the past. He may decided to aid Ukraine on a transactional basis.
Capabilities aside, nuclear weapons are very expensive to build and maintain. It is almost certain that a portion, and maybe a large portion, of Russian nuclear weapons have not been maintained and are no longer functional or at least their ability to function is uncertain. Ukraine's economy is being subsidized by the West. The West would have to subsidize a nuclear program for Ukraine and that is unlikely.
Ukraine is capable of fighting a conventional war with European assistance for a long time to come.
>> The author believes that a better solution is to create official groups removed from the infantry so they can continue to provide support to the infantry that saves lives.
- ISW "A milblogger and advisor to the Kursk Oblast Governor claimed that the Russian military commanders seem to be afraid that the Russian MoD will deprive them of available manpower for assaults by reallocating drone operators from their current units to Russian MoD-operated “technical drone battalions,” and are instead committing these drone operators to assaults to sabotage this effort. Russian milbloggers also criticized the Russian MoD’s efforts to create separate, specialized “technical drone battalions,” citing the lack of a joint Russian communications system that would allow dedicated drone units to closely coordinate with assault units. Russian milbloggers also complained that it would take the Russian MoD a long time to establish communications between newly centralized drone units and assault units, which will result in Russian assault elements temporarily losing drone coverage."
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-3-2024
>> has passed the 2,500,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 ruble mark. That is the equivalent of $22.1 trillion.
- Something's wrong with your math. 1 USD is below 100 RUB.
Sorry. I was missing two trillions: 2.5 trillion trillion trillion dollars.
At some point mathematical accuracy becomes irrelevant in the face of these ridiculously high and unreasonable numbers. **ROFLOL**
So true. We live on the same world as Russia and yet they are in a different universe.
To be precise, it is 20 decillion dollars in the USA and 20 deciard dollars in Europe.
1 decillion (USA) / 1 deciard (EU) = 10^33
You seem to have an honest face so I believe you.
I can never remember the common names of those large numbers beyond a trillion. Reason why I prefer scientific notation such as your 10EXP33 [10^33]. Glad I majored in science and engineering for its preference for mathematical orders of magnitude, although I also earned a graduate business admin degree with more accounting (which I hated!) than I care to admit. Numbers get so silly when they go beyond a trillion when one tries to describe them in non-math language! **LOL**
>> The Hauge ordered Russia to pay Ukraine’s Naftogaz $5
- Probably $5B?
Actually, yeah. But a billion here, a trillion trillion there, it's all rounding errors.
Great article as usual, thank you.
Would be great to have
In Moldova,
Before
Despite reports of Russian meddling
Or it's just for me bit misleading then please ignore
Excellent work Don.
Interesting read from the assault commander. Brutal and merciless.
When writing about diplomacy the problems with establishing the results of Parliament election in Georgia are first described, and then, without mentioning the country, the fact that pro-EU leader declared herself a winner. And the link goes to the news on Moldova President election. In such a way two elections in two different countries are mixed for a reader.
I should have put Moldova in the new paragraph, you're correct.
Don, please say.
Trump may give Ukraine to Putin by ending aid, ending sanctions. Europe's main powers, excepting Poland, aren't serious and don't have sufficient capacity to make up the difference anyhow.
I believe nukes are best try for Ukraine. Most disagree. The arguments aren't questioning Ukraine's capability, they are saying that Ukraine's backers would pull support to punish Ukraine for a weapons program. Not sure they would, though, if their own security is tied to Ukraine's. Plus Ukraine would have a better bargaining position for joining NATO or some European alliance as a nuclear state.
Is there a fallback alternative to make Ukraine indigestible for Russia by preparing a guerilla war based out of Poland?
There's a lot of uncertainty, without a doubt.
Trump cannot force Ukraine to stop fighting and Europe to stop aiding Ukraine. If Trump does decided to end aid to the US he would have to overcome support from the Democratic and non-MAGA Republicans in the House and Senate. There are a lot of possibilities. He may not choose to fight against the non-MAGA Republicans on this issue. He may choose to fight them and overcome them with fears that he may campaign against them in their party primaries, as has happened in the past. He may decided to aid Ukraine on a transactional basis.
Capabilities aside, nuclear weapons are very expensive to build and maintain. It is almost certain that a portion, and maybe a large portion, of Russian nuclear weapons have not been maintained and are no longer functional or at least their ability to function is uncertain. Ukraine's economy is being subsidized by the West. The West would have to subsidize a nuclear program for Ukraine and that is unlikely.
Ukraine is capable of fighting a conventional war with European assistance for a long time to come.