War Invasion of Ukraine News Megathread - Thread is only for articles and discussion of articles, general discussion thread is still in Happenings.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said that the United States will impose sanctions “far beyond” the ones that the United States imposed in 2014 following the annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

“This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Biden said in a White House speech, signaling a shift in his administration’s position. “We will continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates,” he added.

Russian elites and their family members will also soon face sanctions, Biden said, adding that “Russia will pay an even steeper price” if Moscow decides to push forward into Ukraine. Two Russian banks and Russian sovereign debt will also be sanctioned, he said.

Also in his speech, Biden said he would send more U.S. troops to the Baltic states as a defensive measure to strengthen NATO’s position in the area.

Russia shares a border with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to go into the separatist Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine after a lengthy speech in which he recognized the two regions’ independence.

Western powers decried the move and began to slap sanctions on certain Russian individuals, while Germany announced it would halt plans to go ahead with the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

At home, Biden is facing bipartisan pressure to take more extensive actions against Russia following Putin’s decision. However, a recent poll showed that a majority of Americans believe that sending troops to Ukraine is a “bad idea,” and a slim minority believes it’s a good one.

All 27 European Union countries unanimously agreed on an initial list of sanctions targeting Russian authorities, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and EU foreign affairs head Josep Borell claimed the package “will hurt Russia … a lot.”

Earlier Tuesday, Borell asserted that Russian troops have already entered the Donbas region, which comprises Donetsk and Lugansk, which are under the control of pro-Russia groups since 2014.

And on Tuesday, the Russian Parliament approved a Putin-back plan to use military force outside of Russia’s borders as Putin further said that Russia confirmed it would recognize the expanded borders of Lugansk and Donetsk.

“We recognized the states,” the Russian president said. “That means we recognized all of their fundamental documents, including the constitution, where it is written that their [borders] are the territories at the time the two regions were part of Ukraine.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Putin said that Ukraine is “not interested in peaceful solutions” and that “every day, they are amassing troops in the Donbas.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday morning again downplayed the prospect of a Russian invasion and proclaimed: “There will be no war.”

“There will not be an all-out war against Ukraine, and there will not be a broad escalation from Russia. If there is, then we will put Ukraine on a war footing,” he said in a televised address.

The White House began to signal that they would shift their own position on whether it’s the start of an invasion.

“We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,” said Jon Finer, the White House deputy national security adviser in public remarks. “An invasion is an invasion and that is what is underway.”

For weeks, Western governments have been claiming Moscow would invade its neighbor after Russia gathered some 150,000 troops along the countries’ borders. They alleged that the Kremlin would attempt to come up with a pretext to attack, while some officials on Monday said Putin’s speech recognizing the two regions was just that.

But Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Tuesday that Russia’s “latest invasion” of Ukraine is threatening stability in the region, but he asserted that Putin can “still avoid a full blown, tragic war of choice.”

Article

 

[No. 7 cat]

For a moment I thought this chick had a tin pot on her head

View attachment 3216160


SPOILER it's a fez, she is Crimean tatar I'd guess.

kind of hot, nothing like a woman who says, I am ready to cook for you

It does still look like a cooking pot, even if it the simplified version of the fez Crimean Tatar women would wear.. The degraded situation of the Crimean Tatars, with many thousand pushed to leaving or not allowed, and the Russian subversion or replacement of any of their Crimean based cultural bodies, which still happened despite Putin's promises to Erdogan is probably a notable factor behind the friendly neutrality of Turkey whose government could block sales of the Bayraktar drone.

Still a tank that was outranged by obsolescent US tanks in the 1990s already, and by something like 1000 meters, and the old Abrams were doing against tanks that were buried in sand. Doesn't seem like Russia actually improved anything after their designs were outclassed in every single way during the Gulf War, and that the domestic versions aren't any better than what they sold to Saddam.

It is just strange how the Russians gave no heed, or failed to apply whatever data they had acquired, from Gulf War 2. The T-80 and T-90 appear to have a disproportionate place in casualty and capture lists. Now the overall concentration on the T-72 does perhaps suggest some aware of its flaws, but that could just as much be an economy measure.

Below is an Oryx Blog article on Dutch arms deliveries:​

Beyond The Call - Dutch Arms Deliveries To Ukraine​

Oryx Monday, April 25, 2022 AFV , APC 0 Comments

By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans

The Netherlands was one of the first European countries to pledge significant military aid to Ukraine before Russia launched its invasion of the country on the 24th of February. This aid consisted of two Thales Squire ground surveillance radars, five AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder weapon-locating radars, two SeaFox autonomous underwater vehicles for mine detection, 100 (anti-materiel) sniper rifles along with 30,000 rounds of ammunition, and 3000 helmets and 2000 flack jackets. [1] After the invasion had commenced, an additional aid package that included 50 Stinger MANPADS launchers with 200 missiles and 50 Panzerfaust 3 RPGs along with 400 rockets was quickly announced. [2] Not much later, the Dutch Minister of Defence announced it would no longer provide details on arms deliveries to Ukraine to safeguard operational security. [3]

Nonetheless, it is certain that the flow of military aid to Ukraine continued unimpeded, with the Dutch Ministry of Defence reporting that it had delivered more than 50 million euros worth of weapons to Ukraine by the 31st of March. [4] That amount was to further increase as the Netherlands continues sending military aid, the Dutch Minister for Defence Kajsa Ollongren stated, indicating more weapons deliveries were already in the pipeline. [4] As a welcome change in the Netherlands, the Minister also made clear that money was not a major consideration when it comes to providing Ukraine with the armament it requires to hold off Russian forces. [4]

On the 19th of April, it was announced by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte that the Netherlands would commence delivering heavy weaponry, including armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs), to Ukraine as well. [5] This pledge came after a call between Prime Minister Rutte and President Zelensky, who has urged European countries to provide his nation with additional heavy weaponry on more than one occasion. While the United States and several Central European countries have duly answered this call, nations like Spain, Italy and Germany have largely ignored Ukraine's plight, with Germany even managing to turn the issue into a foreign policy debacle as pressure on its government mounts.

Although the Netherlands has already disposed much of its heavy weaponry in the past two decades, with weapon systems like the Leopard 2A6 MBT, the M270 MLRS and Cheetah SPAAG all having faced the axe under budget cuts, the Dutch Army still maintains a sizeable stock of AFVs and other heavy armament retired over the past decades. Most of these are currently stored in a number of military depots awaiting a possible foreign buyer. This includes up to 500 YPR-765 APCs and AFVs, and thirteen 155mm FH-70 towed howitzers. [6] The latter have been in storage since 2001, and are unlikely to ever find a buyer. Similarly, any future revenues gained from a YPR-765 sale will likely yield little more than the costs of storing them (with the type not seeing active service since 2012), thus paving the way for their transfer to Ukraine free of charge.

But in a surprising turn of events, reports now indicate that the Netherlands is in fact planning on providing Ukraine not just with AFVs, but also with a number of highly advanced 155mm Panzerhaubitze 2000NL (PzH 2000NL) self-propelled guns (SPGs). [7] Under the arrangement proposed, the Netherlands would provide a number of PzH 2000s (believed to be 6 to while Germany would train Ukrainian soldiers to use the SPGs on German or Polish soil, as well as provide the necessary ammunition. The PzH 2000s would be the most capable ground-based fire-support assets provided by any country to Ukraine so far, and a clear indication of how serious the country is about its support. With much of the weaponry delivered by Ukraine's allies thus far being of older or surplus stock, the delivery would mark the Netherland's ascent to a very select group of nations that have been willing to pledge such a degree of support.


The PzH 2000 represents one of the most modern SPG designs on the planet, combining survivability, mobility, long range and high firing rate with a variety of modern munitions for maximum effect on target. This includes the ability to engage in Multiple Rounds Simulatenous Impact (MRSI) engagements, wherein the autoloader automatically selects charges that will cause up to five munitions to follow a trajectory that will result in their simultaneous impact. To aid in such missions, it even features a muzzle velocity radar over its barrel, which measures the muzzle velocity of each fired round for accurate fire correction. Though smart munitions that allow precision guided strikes are available, it is uncertain if Ukraine would receive such special munitions – though the Dutch weapon locating radars could be a major boon to their effectiveness as well. Though the PzH 2000 is a hardy piece of equipment, it would ideally enjoy support of additional SAM systems to protect them against Russian (armed) drones, which have already targeted Ukrainian artillery positions and hideouts on numerous occasions.

The Netherlands purchased a total of 57 PzH 2000s in 2002 to replace the M109 SPG in Dutch Army service. Under budget cuts announced in 2003, it was stipulated that only 39 PzH 2000s would enter service with the Dutch Army. [8] Rather than paying a hefty cancellation fine, the other 18 PzH 2000s were immediately put up for sale after they were built. [8] A year later, the Dutch Army also had to retire its 24 M270 MLRS systems under the same budget cuts. Two additional rounds of budget cuts in 2007 and 2011 forced the Dutch Army to retire another 12 and 6 PzH 2000s respectively, ultimately leaving just 18 SPGs in active service, with several more used for training. [8]

The drastic change in European security outlook brought on by the 2014 Russian takeover of Crimea and the War in Donbas forced many European countries to rethink their defence policy. This situation was no different in the Netherlands, with the government now looking to reverse the country's two-decade long policy of budget cuts that had eroded the capabilities of the Dutch military. Even though the funds necessary to effect that change have yet to be secured, the Dutch MoD has already taken its PzH 2000s off the market. [9] As artillery played a key role in the War in Donbas, it comes as no big surprise that the Dutch Army now once more views its PzH 2000s as important assets, and is simultaneously looking to reinstate rocket artillery. Fortunately, no buyer had ever been found for the PzH 2000s that were put up for sale immediately after their assembly.

As an initial step, the twelve PzH 2000s that were phased out in 2007 were taken out of storage and put through an extensive overhaul. [10] Six of these re-entered service with the Dutch Army (for a total of 24 SPGs used operationally) while the other six replaced PzH 2000s already in service (which were put in storage). [10] From 2026 onwards, 25 of the 57 PzH 2000s will undergo a midlife update (MLU), and it's not unlikely that this number is set to increase as additional funds for the military become available. [11] In this light, the supply of at least six PzH 2000s to Ukraine from Dutch Army stocks while Germany has greater numbers of the type in storage is certainly curious. It is possible that the Dutch PzH 2000s given to Ukraine will in fact be replaced by an equal amount of German PzH 2000s, which would make some sense given that the Netherlands is essentially making up for German lack of resolve in providing Ukraine with heavy weaponry.


Perhaps less advanced, but certainly more numerous could be the AFVs slated for delivery to Ukraine. Although the type to be supplied to Ukraine wasn't disclosed, it is almost certain this concerns the YPR-765 series of AFVs, of which some 500 examples should still survive in storage after their retirement in 2012. [12] [13] The variant in question is most likely an APC armed with a single 7.62mm LMG or 12.7mm HMG, with most YPR-765 IFV variants armed with a rapid-firing 25mm cannon already having been sold to Egypt and Jordan. While less capable than the IFV variant, the relative simplicity of the APC variant means that very little training, maintenance and logistics are required. In fact, Turkey supplied a number of its own YPR-765 APC variants (the ACV-AAPC) to forces in Syria and Libya during its military operations for the same reasons.

Much like the FV103 Spartans and 200 M113 APCs to be given to Ukraine by the United Kingdom and United States respectively, the YPR-765 APC variant is an essence an armoured battle taxi that relies on its good mobility and small size rather than its armour protection to safely transport infantry to and from the battlefield. Apart from sporting marginal increased armour protection over the FV103 and M113, the Dutch YPR-765s also come with large stowage baskets and an armoured cupola to protect the gunner. Their main advantage over the Mastiff and Wolfhound MRAPs and Husky IMVs delivered by the UK is their ability to navigate rough and muddy terrain, an ability certain to come in handy in Eastern Ukraine's fields, which are infamous for the unforgiving going during the rasputitsa (or rather bezdorizhzhya, as Ukrainians would refer to it).



Although thus far the artillery pieces in question seems to concern only the PzH 2000s, a case could definitely be made for the transfer of the entire stock of FH-70s as well. Originally acquired as a batch of fifteen in 1990 to help keep Dutch artillerymen current while their M114 howitzers were undergoing upgrading, these guns eventually saw use until 2001, when they were stored and later put up for sale. Already a relatively dated design at that time, no buyer for them was ever found. The FH-70s can fire all European and U.S. 155mm rounds, and their 24km to 30km range (depending on the shell type used) and mobility (achieved through an engine that allows the gun to move at 20km/h) offers a significant improvement over most towed artillery types currently in Ukrainian service. Training and ammunition could be provided by either Estonia or Italy (which both still operate the FH-70), ironing out the remaining specifics of the deal. The fact that these guns can be supplied without eroding Dutch military capabilities and at virtually no cost would certainly be welcome as well.


Many NATO countries have answered the call to provide Ukraine with heavy weaponry, but it could be argued that the Netherlands went above and beyond the call. In doing so, it not only provided some of its most capable systems, but it also made up for the indecisiveness of its neighbour, allowing the German government to at least save some face under the NATO alliance. It would not be too surprising to see the Netherlands being compensated for its loss of PzH 2000s by Germany in return.

For Ukraine, the PzH 2000 would be the most capable ground-based fire support asset it has yet acquired, especially when combined with the Dutch weapon locating radars. With the delivery of U.S. and Canadian M777 towed howitzers, Polish and Czech SPGs and MRLs, French Caesar SPGs, Dutch PzH 2000s and perhaps soon Belgian M109A4BEs, Ukraine is rapidly assembling one of the most unique artillery arsenals on the planet, showcasing the resolve of NATO members in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty against Russia's belligerence.

A camouflaged YPR-765. Also note the 12.7mm M2 HMG.​

[1] Ukraine conflict: Netherlands to supply weapon locating radars to Ukraine https://www.janes.com/defence-news/...-to-supply-weapon-locating-radars-to-ukraine/
[2] Dutch to supply anti-tank, air defence rockets to Ukraine https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...fence-rockets-ukraine-govt-letter-2022-02-26/
[3] Ollongren wil niets kwijt over verdere levering wapens Oekraïne https://www.leidschdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20220303_37634896
[4] The Netherlands has already supplied over 50 million euros worth of weapons to Ukraine https://nltimes.nl/2022/03/31/netherlands-already-supplied-50-million-euros-worth-weapons-ukraine
[5] https://twitter.com/MinPres/status/1516393082148773892
[6] Defensie verkoopt overtollig materieel https://www.rd.nl/artikel/501829-defensie-verkoopt-overtollig-materieel
[7] Ukraine conflict: European countries supply Kyiv with more weapons https://www.janes.com/defence-news/...opean-countries-supply-kyiv-with-more-weapons
[8] Materieelprojecten Nr. 99 BRIEF VAN DE MINISTER VAN DEFENSIE. Aan de Voorzitter van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal Den Haag, 17 april 2012 https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-27830-99.html
[9] Vuursteun Commando https://www.defensie.nl/organisatie/landmacht/eenheden/oocl/vuursteun-commando
[10] https://www.facebook.com/matlogco/posts/2240037096053772
[11] Pantserhouwitser 2000NL https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/materieel/voertuigen/pantserhouwitser-2000nl-pzh2000
[12] Materieelprojectenoverzicht - Prinsjesdag 2013 https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-251575.pdf
[13] YPR-pantserrupsvoertuig https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/materieel/voertuigen/ypr-pantserrupsvoertuigen

edit: put the article is quotes so it doesn't fill half the page.​

 

[MG-34]

Ukranian Beutepanzer on the move. Captured T-80BVM along side Ukrainian T-72AV. T-80 tanks orginate from Ukraine so it's fitting this one finds itself under control of the Ukrainian military. When this war is over I'd really like to see a cross comparison on Russian and Ukrainian modern tank layouts. I've heard the Ukranian versions have better controls and are easier to use under stress.

 

[Techpriest]

Ukranian Beutepanzer on the move. Captured T-80BVM along side Ukrainian T-72AV. T-80 tanks orginate from Ukraine so it's fitting this one finds itself under control of the Ukrainian military. When this war is over I'd really like to see a cross comparison on Russian and Ukrainian modern tank layouts. I've heard the Ukranian versions have better controls and are easier to use under stress.

View attachment 3216742

It'd be interesting to see for sure.

 

[дядя Боря]

Russians must have stuck a helicopter pilot in this Su34 by mistake as you can see an attempt to auto rotate.
View attachment 3214497

Some pro-Uki (full disclaimer) was commenting on this.

He said that this condition is called "flat corkscrew" and something that can happen, just like stalling and dive corkscrewing and there are ways to get out of it ... provided that you were taught it and practiced.

I do remember that dive corkscrew was always fatal condition in the early aviation, and it took some brave soul to figure out how to effectively being able to get out of it.

He also said (and he had better video) that plane engines seemed to work and plane was not on fire or appeared to be damaged. The pilots eventually catapulted out.

So his claim that this crash was pure pilot error, inexperience and pilot did not have enough flying time to practice this situation and save the plane (and similar emergency maneuvers are practiced in civil aviation as well,

It would be interesting to have another, unbiased review of this, how basic is this training and what does it say about current crop of pilots.

 

[RodgerDodger]

Some pro-Uki (full disclaimer) was commenting on this.

He said that this condition is called "flat corkscrew" and something that can happen, just like stalling and dive corkscrewing and there are ways to get out of it ... provided that you were taught it and practiced.

I do remember that dive corkscrew was always fatal condition in the early aviation, and it took some brave soul to figure out how to effectively being able to get out of it.

He also said (and he had better video) that plane engines seemed to work and plane was not on fire or appeared to be damaged. The pilots eventually catapulted out.

So his claim that this crash was pure pilot error, inexperience and pilot did not have enough flying time to practice this situation and save the plane (and similar emergency maneuvers are practiced in civil aviation as well,

It would be interesting to have another, unbiased review of this, how basic is this training and what does it say about current crop of pilots.

In English it’s known as a flat spin. Just from looking at the SU-34 I’m going to guess that it is a not unknown situation. The American F-14 Tomcats were also notorious for this. They both have those broad flat lifting bodies. With the engines well separated. What can happen is at slower speeds if you do a hard flat rudder turn, your fuselage will disrupt airflow into the inside engine (the engine you are turning towards.) which can cause an engine flameout and asymmetrical thrust at a bad moment. Putting you into a flat spin if you are not careful. This is what famously killed the US Navy’s first female fighter pilot. Kara “Covergirl” Hultgreen. This was most common on the F-14 during carrier landings. F-14 pilots were heavily trained to A. Never do this in the first place. Use Ailerons! And B. How to get out of it should it happen. The 8 hour/month flight time Russian’s probably not. Most of their flight hours seem to be logged on bootleg copies of Microsoft Flight Sim. Or possibly Train Sim. With Russian pilots it seems hard to tell.

 

[Fanatical Pragmatist]

Ukranian Beutepanzer on the move. Captured T-80BVM along side Ukrainian T-72AV. T-80 tanks orginate from Ukraine so it's fitting this one finds itself under control of the Ukrainian military. When this war is over I'd really like to see a cross comparison on Russian and Ukrainian modern tank layouts. I've heard the Ukranian versions have better controls and are easier to use under stress.

View attachment 3216742

Taken with a grain of salt, but the Ukrainian T-84 supposedly fixed the issues with the T-80, especially the engine turning it from another added explosive feature to cause a "turret toss" into one of the faster and more mobile tanks.

That being said the gun is older on the T84, but if (and that's still an "if") it can penetrate a T-90 then its "good enough".

 

[Iceland Heavy]

Still a tank that was outranged by obsolescent US tanks in the 1990s already, and by something like 1000 meters, and the old Abrams were doing against tanks that were buried in sand. Doesn't seem like Russia actually improved anything after their designs were outclassed in every single way during the Gulf War, and that the domestic versions aren't any better than what they sold to Saddam.

For one, even though the top of the line Soviet tanks could cope for a while with their western counterparts eclipsing them by piling on more ERA the Soviets had no real answer to thermal sights since Soviet industry was incapable of producing them with adequate resolution or in acceptable numbers before shitting the bed. Russia couldn't make them at all and had to import French thermals from Thales for the longest time to equip their newest tanks until they could make their own thermals, which from what I understand are really just a janky slavic bootleg of said French thermals anyway.

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

Taken with a grain of salt, but the Ukrainian T-84 supposedly fixed the issues with the T-80, especially the engine turning it from another added explosive feature to cause a "turret toss" into one of the faster and more mobile tanks.

That being said the gun is older on the T84, but if (and that's still an "if") it can penetrate a T-90 then its "good enough".

Opposed piston diesels are one of the most power dense and efficient powerplants ever built. Cummins has been helping another company with a 2 stroke opposed piston engine for the last 10 years or so. It's supposedly fits in a Bradley and produces 1000hp. If these engines ever become commercially available(EPA says no) 2 stroke noises are making a comeback.

Pulled this info from a Russian tank-autist site. No info on the T-80UD or T-84, but I did find that all their T-64Bs use the higher pressure 2A46M-1 gun. It would be weird if they couldn't use the same ammo in both tanks.

Designation	2A26	2A26M2	2A46-1	2A46-2	2A46M	2A46M-1	2A46M-2	2A46M-4	2A46M-5
Year of introduction	1966	1969	1970	1976	1981	1981	1992	2005	2005
Used on tanks	T-64A	T-72	T-64A T-72A	T-64B T-80B	T-72AV T-72B	T-64BV T-72B T-80BV T-80U	T-72S T-90	T-80UM	T-90A
Max chamber pressure	5100 bar	5100 bar	5100 bar	5100 bar	5100 bar	6500 bar	6500 bar	6500 bar	6500 bar

 

[MG-34]

Some pro-Uki (full disclaimer) was commenting on this.

He said that this condition is called "flat corkscrew" and something that can happen, just like stalling and dive corkscrewing and there are ways to get out of it ... provided that you were taught it and practiced.

I do remember that dive corkscrew was always fatal condition in the early aviation, and it took some brave soul to figure out how to effectively being able to get out of it.

He also said (and he had better video) that plane engines seemed to work and plane was not on fire or appeared to be damaged. The pilots eventually catapulted out.

So his claim that this crash was pure pilot error, inexperience and pilot did not have enough flying time to practice this situation and save the plane (and similar emergency maneuvers are practiced in civil aviation as well,

It would be interesting to have another, unbiased review of this, how basic is this training and what does it say about current crop of pilots.

The thing wasn't belching smoke or splintering fragments so I doubted it was a shootdown as well. It's a telling example of how inept Russian Aircraft maintenance is.

 

[Ponderous Pillock]

A thing to bare in mind the T-84 Oplot was, for the most part, designed, for exporting and trying to shovel some cash into the Ukranian Arms manufacturers pockets to keep them going.

So the Ukranian Army currently has Two in their arsenal.

Now, what is amusing is the confusion over why the upgraded T-64s the Ukranians do rock about in seem to have performed better (but have still seen losses due to attrition) than their "more modern" counterparts.

Well, turns out its fairly simple. The T-72s were only ever really designed as a "we need a modern T-34 equivalent" design that could be spammed out in factories and car factories within hours of an invasion of Soviet Soil again.

Which explains why they're doing so badly and have always performed very badly in every theatre of war so far seen.

But it turned out they were 40% cheaper to make, so hey ho, here we are.

==============

Rumours are beginning to swirl that and agreement between UK's PM Johnson and Poland's PM Morawiecki over transfer of tanks, meaning the Polish will be getting Challenger 2's to play with and train on in order to free up as many T-72/T-72 varients as quickly as possible. Meaning T-72M1s are heading on out to Ukraine sometime soon. We wont see Twardys most likely because of how radically different the internals and systems are on that versus the M1s.

Its also likely we're doing it to try and show off our own kit for likely future arms sales as the Polish have become rather obsessed with buying American Kit, when there's quite a bit of British kit out in Ukraine being demonstrated with its capabilities.

What is interesting though is everyone is rushing out artillery and shells to Ukraine, but Poland hasn't so far donated any of their 2S1 Gvozdika's. Which Ukranian crews are also likely to be familiar with. Odd.

Another part of the fun low level spat between British and American Arms companies in which the UK basically won out on helping develop the Mitsubishi F-X with the Japanese, with Japans MoD expressing its desire to work with BAE over the Tempest Drone Hub Fighter Concept and Rolls Royce with its engines versus the Americans who just sort of kept offering their own designs walloped with a japanizing beam.

 

[Happy Fish]

In English it’s known as a flat spin. Just from looking at the SU-34 I’m going to guess that it is a not unknown situation. The American F-14 Tomcats were also notorious for this. They both have those broad flat lifting bodies. With the engines well separated. What can happen is at slower speeds if you do a hard flat rudder turn, your fuselage will disrupt airflow into the inside engine (the engine you are turning towards.) which can cause an engine flameout and asymmetrical thrust at a bad moment. Putting you into a flat spin if you are not careful. This is what famously killed the US Navy’s first female fighter pilot. Kara “Covergirl” Hultgreen. This was most common on the F-14 during carrier landings. F-14 pilots were heavily trained to A. Never do this in the first place. Use Ailerons! And B. How to get out of it should it happen. The 8 hour/month flight time Russian’s probably not. Most of their flight hours seem to be logged on bootleg copies of Microsoft Flight Sim. Or possibly Train Sim. With Russian pilots it seems hard to tell.

RIP Goose

 

[potato fan]

some communication masts in Transnistria has been blown up. Yesterday there were reports of some govt buildings being shot at

now there are rumours of explosion at the military airport
It's either russian provocation, or Romania has grown some balls and want to end the russian frozen conflict that Transnistria de facto is
At one point Russia had stated that their goal in this war was to make a land corridor to Transnistria
With current war in Ukraine and EU countries blocking airspace to russia, if there was a war against Transnistria, Russia would be unable to aid them in any way other than with some missile strikes
Transnistria also has huge stockpiles of weapons and ammo that Ukraine could use.

 

[No. 7 cat]

some communication masts in Transnistria has been blown up. Yesterday there were reports of some govt buildings being shot at
View attachment 3218391

now there are rumours of explosion at the military airport
It's either russian provocation, or Romania has grown some balls and want to end the russian frozen conflict that Transnistria de facto is
At one point Russia had stated that their goal in this war was to make a land corridor to Transnistria
With current war in Ukraine and EU countries blocking airspace to russia, if there was a war against Transnistria, Russia would be unable to aid them in any way other than with some missile strikes
Transnistria also has huge stockpiles of weapons and ammo that Ukraine could use.

Perhaps a Moldavian acting without official sanction did something, as their military is microscopic and their government avowedly neutral. However Russian provocation can never be discounted.

 

[Ponderous Pillock]

Perhaps a Moldavian acting without official sanction did something, as their military is microscopic and their government avowedly neutral. However Russian provocation can never be discounted.

Moldovans themselves are rumoured to be largely pro-ukranian.

Funny how someone running about nicking bits of others countries doesn't have much support for them unless by gun-barrel diplomacy, innit?

 

[Bold&Brash]

Perhaps a Moldavian acting without official sanction did something, as their military is microscopic and their government avowedly neutral. However Russian provocation can never be discounted.

I can understand why Moldova doesn't allow any sort of glow nigger shit against Transnistria from their territory but I don't get why the Ukros don't take over the local garrison at least. They have tons of ammo there and even a S300 system. The garrison is mostly made up out of conscripts so you just need some reserve soldiers with old BTRs who drive into the base at night. Done.

Since Ukwaine has a direct border with Transnistria Poodin can't even blame the Moldovians for such a potential operation.

 

[Vince McMahon]

I can understand why Moldova doesn't allow any sort of glow nigger shit against Transnistria from their territory but I don't get why the Ukros don't take over the local garrison at least. They have tons of ammo there and even a S300 system. The garrison is mostly made up out of conscripts so you just need some reserve soldiers with old BTRs who drive into the base at night. Done.

Since Ukwaine has a direct border with Transnistria Poodin can't even blame the Moldovians for such a potential operation.

Possible because there are loads of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova and while there aren't that many Russkies there, they still can fuck shit up.

 

[MG-34]

Ukranian Flakpanzer gepards confirmed.

https://m.dw.com/en/germany-to-send-tanks-to-ukraine-as-us-hosts-defense-conference-live-updates/a-61590982

 

[No. 7 cat]

Possible because there are loads of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova and while there aren't that many Russkies there, they still can fuck shit up.

I suppose the Ukrainians want to leave violating international frontiers to Putin, even if Trans Dneistr is some Soviet theme park joke. It would pull a very unwilling Moldovia into this horror. Putin has a steady record of indifference to any civilian life. If he launched the second Chechen war with a false flag slaughter of Russians, attacking Ukranians in Moldovia wouldn't trouble him.

 

[potato fan]

Families of fallen "novorossyan" soldiers are getting monetary help from public donations - 10000 RUB ($130)

 

[Ponderous Pillock]

Russian FM Lavrov: NATO de-facto entered proxy war with Russia with weapons supply to Ukraine - Live UA Map​

Y-yes? Has it only just occured to the Russians that we're specifically only supplying the Ukranians because we know it limits their aims and geopolitical attempts to annex this historical novorossiya region?

It seems Russian advances, after some initial attempts to surge have stalled once again because the clock is ticking on being able to do anything as more and more Ukranians are currently in training. They've gone back to non-stop shelling attempts to dislodge or remove the Ukranian defences and seems to be going as well as expected. More advances have been blunted and shoved back in a few places.

A thing to bare in mind, these units have really had no time to resupply or rearm. They've less than two weeks to figure out what they need and where, but again the Russian Army method of doing things is "push" logistics. They're told what they're getting and fuck you if its not what you actually need.

"No comrade colonel, the general who hasn't yet gotten himself killed says you need this. What do you mean, food?"

Once again, the fact the Ukranians have switched to a "pull" logistics system seems to be whats winning each and every fight so far. We're still seeing a defensive fight right now, but that's going to change eventually.