I do wish the Ukrainians were more honest about Russians successes. Claiming 80-90% destruction rates but then a lot of key assets goes up in flames makes them look foolish.
Also maybe if they admitted they are struggling to shoot down every enemy drone and most missiles, the west might be more willing to supply SAMs and other IADS.
I wish that was the best course of action, but I haven't seen anyone in the West react to Ukrainian failures that way. People start picking their wardrobe for Ukraine's funeral instead.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, none were destroyed:
16 X-101/Calibre
1 X-47M2 Kinzhal
1 Iskander-M
5 Shahed UAVs
Accordingly, they did hit somewhere. And in your opinion, is this not enough to cause such damage to the energy infrastructure? Which has been under attack for 3 years and is in a bad condition.
And let's not forget that falling debris also causes damage. And not all downed targets detonate their warheads in the air, but after they fall.
On one side, don't expect anybody else would behave in any different fashion. When, back in 2003, the Iraqis hit the HQ 2nd Division (US Army) with two ballistic missiles, causing losses, the Pentagon and the White House were also not 'out and explaining all the details'. On the contrary...
On the other hand, there's a mindset. Many Ukrainians (especially those living abroad; ironically, it's the Ukrainians bearing the burdern of this war that are FAR more realistic) think that anybody speaking out about their misses, problems, corruption, incompetence, losses etc - is 'spreading Russian propaganda', at least 'tarnishing the image of Ukraine in the World'.
Indeed, the Zele Administration seems to be of the opinion that the Ukrainians couldn't bear the truth at all; that they would all scream and run away if being told the truth. That's why it already didn't take care to prepare the public and the armed forces about the coming Russian invasion until it was too late. That's why it's behaving the way it does until this very day, too...
(But then, the Zele Admin is not the only behaving that way: the mass of our 'democratic' governments here in 'the West' thinks the same way.)
Finally, Syrsky-style generals also think that they cannot afford explaining to 'the West' that time and again they're failing to operate systems provided in correct fashion, that they're missing with these, that their commanders are deploying them in wrong fashion etc.... Thus, they're zip-lip about failures: they can't even 'investigate' how comes they've shot down one of their F-16s for two months already... and the situation is reaching proportions where the Americans and Europeans are much too frustrated but to ask questions.
All of this is why we're publishing so much critique of such behaviour: many of Ukrainians are demanding us to do so. Every day. Because they can't do so on their own (even because many are seriously concerned for their own well-being, in the case they do speak out), and because even if they do, nobody listens. While, this must stop. Pronto. There must be a major reform of the entire 'System Zelensky'. Right away. Without any delays, and without any of Zelensky's usual excuses (usually published via the social media and on press conferences).
Meanwhile, we're not alone in this: ever more Ukrainians are vocally demanding exactly the same. Only today, the Ukrainian media published a demand by Denis Prokopenko (ex-CO Azov Regiment, meanwhile CO 12th NG Azov Brigade) for a reform of the GenStab-U and the command system.
Now lets hope for the best. The last time somebody from Azov complained, Zele/Syrsky were forced to fire Sodol...
Firstly, it is not entirely clear whether Trump's warning to Putin about the inadmissibility of escalation mentioned in the media actually took place - either it did and Putin ignored it, or it is fiction. And secondly. For two years now, the Russians have been deliberately destroying Ukraine's energy system. Ukraine has been using drones since at least the beginning of this year, which could regularly terrorize the enemy's energy grid in its European part. However, there is no information about a single such attack! What is the reason?
I understand that it very tempting for Ukraine to pay back with the 'same coin', but that would be the biggest mistake Ukraine could make.
1) The consequence would be a massive blow to the sympathy Ukraine gets from western states.
2) Ukraine has only a very limited amount of destructive power in comparison to the Russian side. So it should use that capacity for strategic goals. For example destroying military production, attacking airfields, destroying refinery capacities, etc.
The work of enemy military production, bases and logistics directly depends on electricity. Destroying its supply at least within the enemy's border areas and occupied territories is quite within Ukraine's power.
As the destructive potential of Ukraine is rather limited it is a hard choice. Let us a look at the following situation: There is a plant in a town, which produces for example ammunition.
What is easier to achieve? Shutting down the production for some time in this factory or taking out the power grid for that city for the same amount of time?
Russia is using enormous resources to damage Ukrainian energy system for 2 years now and the effects are not really that huge, relative to the effort. Ukraine still has electricity, it even regularly exports it to Poland and its people have not frozen to death in winter. I don't want to diminish the effect on civilian lives and the amount of effort it takes to keep things running. But it shows just how hard it is to destroy the energy system. A few drones Ukraine might send would have practically zero effect. Let's assume even the best case scenario, part of one district in Moscow would be cut from electricity and heating for a few hours, maybe a day or maybe even two, for the price of several months of supplies spent on the Ukrainian part. Do you really think it would change anything? And even such limited effect is IMHO unlikely.
They drones were much better used targeting the ammo storage facilities.
We are not talking about turning off heating to the population, but about cutting off power supply to enemy military and logistics facilities at least within the frontline territories. For example, the Russians use the railway network completely unhindered, although impact on transformer stations would seriously complicate its operation.
Again, same story if you consider Ukraine. Ukrainian trains are still running, including civilian ones, and they are often running better on time than trains in Poland and Germany... I'm not saying such attacks should not be done by Ukraine, but again, I don't think it's a big weak spot that's easy to attack and would deal a lot of damage, that would change the course of the war.
It was from the very beginning too little, too late. The stupidity of certain western politicians, which is clearly shown by their inability to learn, has now criminal dimensions.
And stupidity amplified by the fact that US presented it in the media first to give Russia time to prepare for it, to move everything important out of affected airfields.
"I will let you kill the enemy with this mighty weapon, but there is one little small-font restriction: do not shoot anywhere vital, maybe shoot at left arm only. Oh yeah, and please ask us in advance too where are you going to shoot at. We cannot let ruzzian agents miss it, because it might make ruzzia angry."
The dumbest possible way they could do it... It is better to have one smart and poor friend, but 10 stupid and rich dumbasses.
Storm shadow, British. Unless I've missed it the German government are still dragging their heals re Taurus. Our SS's should be sent over with Novichok in them with a msg "return to sender"
I do wish the Ukrainians were more honest about Russians successes. Claiming 80-90% destruction rates but then a lot of key assets goes up in flames makes them look foolish.
Also maybe if they admitted they are struggling to shoot down every enemy drone and most missiles, the west might be more willing to supply SAMs and other IADS.
I wish that was the best course of action, but I haven't seen anyone in the West react to Ukrainian failures that way. People start picking their wardrobe for Ukraine's funeral instead.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, none were destroyed:
16 X-101/Calibre
1 X-47M2 Kinzhal
1 Iskander-M
5 Shahed UAVs
Accordingly, they did hit somewhere. And in your opinion, is this not enough to cause such damage to the energy infrastructure? Which has been under attack for 3 years and is in a bad condition.
And let's not forget that falling debris also causes damage. And not all downed targets detonate their warheads in the air, but after they fall.
On one side, don't expect anybody else would behave in any different fashion. When, back in 2003, the Iraqis hit the HQ 2nd Division (US Army) with two ballistic missiles, causing losses, the Pentagon and the White House were also not 'out and explaining all the details'. On the contrary...
On the other hand, there's a mindset. Many Ukrainians (especially those living abroad; ironically, it's the Ukrainians bearing the burdern of this war that are FAR more realistic) think that anybody speaking out about their misses, problems, corruption, incompetence, losses etc - is 'spreading Russian propaganda', at least 'tarnishing the image of Ukraine in the World'.
Indeed, the Zele Administration seems to be of the opinion that the Ukrainians couldn't bear the truth at all; that they would all scream and run away if being told the truth. That's why it already didn't take care to prepare the public and the armed forces about the coming Russian invasion until it was too late. That's why it's behaving the way it does until this very day, too...
(But then, the Zele Admin is not the only behaving that way: the mass of our 'democratic' governments here in 'the West' thinks the same way.)
Finally, Syrsky-style generals also think that they cannot afford explaining to 'the West' that time and again they're failing to operate systems provided in correct fashion, that they're missing with these, that their commanders are deploying them in wrong fashion etc.... Thus, they're zip-lip about failures: they can't even 'investigate' how comes they've shot down one of their F-16s for two months already... and the situation is reaching proportions where the Americans and Europeans are much too frustrated but to ask questions.
All of this is why we're publishing so much critique of such behaviour: many of Ukrainians are demanding us to do so. Every day. Because they can't do so on their own (even because many are seriously concerned for their own well-being, in the case they do speak out), and because even if they do, nobody listens. While, this must stop. Pronto. There must be a major reform of the entire 'System Zelensky'. Right away. Without any delays, and without any of Zelensky's usual excuses (usually published via the social media and on press conferences).
Meanwhile, we're not alone in this: ever more Ukrainians are vocally demanding exactly the same. Only today, the Ukrainian media published a demand by Denis Prokopenko (ex-CO Azov Regiment, meanwhile CO 12th NG Azov Brigade) for a reform of the GenStab-U and the command system.
Now lets hope for the best. The last time somebody from Azov complained, Zele/Syrsky were forced to fire Sodol...
Just adding the link for that who is interested in: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KEGMvzFru/
Thanks a lot, Vovan!
This is BS, sorry. As if the West didn't know already and it doesn't have satellites and intelligence.
I agree the west does know. But optics/marketing/propaganda goes a long way
Propaganda is for the masses.
Firstly, it is not entirely clear whether Trump's warning to Putin about the inadmissibility of escalation mentioned in the media actually took place - either it did and Putin ignored it, or it is fiction. And secondly. For two years now, the Russians have been deliberately destroying Ukraine's energy system. Ukraine has been using drones since at least the beginning of this year, which could regularly terrorize the enemy's energy grid in its European part. However, there is no information about a single such attack! What is the reason?
I understand that it very tempting for Ukraine to pay back with the 'same coin', but that would be the biggest mistake Ukraine could make.
1) The consequence would be a massive blow to the sympathy Ukraine gets from western states.
2) Ukraine has only a very limited amount of destructive power in comparison to the Russian side. So it should use that capacity for strategic goals. For example destroying military production, attacking airfields, destroying refinery capacities, etc.
The work of enemy military production, bases and logistics directly depends on electricity. Destroying its supply at least within the enemy's border areas and occupied territories is quite within Ukraine's power.
As the destructive potential of Ukraine is rather limited it is a hard choice. Let us a look at the following situation: There is a plant in a town, which produces for example ammunition.
What is easier to achieve? Shutting down the production for some time in this factory or taking out the power grid for that city for the same amount of time?
Russia is using enormous resources to damage Ukrainian energy system for 2 years now and the effects are not really that huge, relative to the effort. Ukraine still has electricity, it even regularly exports it to Poland and its people have not frozen to death in winter. I don't want to diminish the effect on civilian lives and the amount of effort it takes to keep things running. But it shows just how hard it is to destroy the energy system. A few drones Ukraine might send would have practically zero effect. Let's assume even the best case scenario, part of one district in Moscow would be cut from electricity and heating for a few hours, maybe a day or maybe even two, for the price of several months of supplies spent on the Ukrainian part. Do you really think it would change anything? And even such limited effect is IMHO unlikely.
They drones were much better used targeting the ammo storage facilities.
We are not talking about turning off heating to the population, but about cutting off power supply to enemy military and logistics facilities at least within the frontline territories. For example, the Russians use the railway network completely unhindered, although impact on transformer stations would seriously complicate its operation.
Again, same story if you consider Ukraine. Ukrainian trains are still running, including civilian ones, and they are often running better on time than trains in Poland and Germany... I'm not saying such attacks should not be done by Ukraine, but again, I don't think it's a big weak spot that's easy to attack and would deal a lot of damage, that would change the course of the war.
It was from the very beginning too little, too late. The stupidity of certain western politicians, which is clearly shown by their inability to learn, has now criminal dimensions.
And stupidity amplified by the fact that US presented it in the media first to give Russia time to prepare for it, to move everything important out of affected airfields.
Indeed that is the case. It would be much better if they would do the public announcement after the first successful strike.
Too little, too late and apparently only in Kursk region. Ridiculous
"I will let you kill the enemy with this mighty weapon, but there is one little small-font restriction: do not shoot anywhere vital, maybe shoot at left arm only. Oh yeah, and please ask us in advance too where are you going to shoot at. We cannot let ruzzian agents miss it, because it might make ruzzia angry."
The dumbest possible way they could do it... It is better to have one smart and poor friend, but 10 stupid and rich dumbasses.
Storm shadow, British. Unless I've missed it the German government are still dragging their heals re Taurus. Our SS's should be sent over with Novichok in them with a msg "return to sender"
Yes, the British followed in US and French fashion.
....few hours later, they then all limited their permissions to the 'Kursk Oblast'...
Why discuss media leaks that have no official confirmation, if these media have long since sold their reputation in favor of clickbait?