"We have information that the Russian military actually executed soldiers who refused to obey orders," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during the press briefing, according to European Pravda's correspondent.
The most they've taken in literal DAYS is the tree lines around Avdiivka. That's not very promising. This is going to be Bakhmut part two for the Russians. Its going to be another meat grinder. This time the Ukrainians will have Abrams, Leopards and Challengers in this fight. Its going to be worse for the Russians.
Sure it’s horrifically inefficient, but remember they did take Bakhmut as well, and UAF was unable to take it back (so far). And given current events, it’s not a given that even with such losses russia won’t last longer than the international aid Ukraine gets.
As for western tanks and IFVs, they haven’t been faring much better than russian hardware so far. More survivable perhaps, but not better enough to make a huge difference. If they were, the last offensive wouldn’t have stalled right at the start.
I’m all for positive mindset, but we have to keep our expectations grounded and realistic.
Ehh you can’t write an essay in a social media response. Reality is of course more nuanced than what you can fit into a few lines…
Western armored vehicles are in general more modern than the most ubiquitous T72 variants on the front, but that doesn’t mean they are some magical trump card a lot of people believe them to be. They offer better chances at surviving, and can be vastly superior under certain circumstances. Since Ukraine is getting support selectively and drip-fed based on political dealings instead of a comprehensive plan or package, those circumstances are not very present. To give a blatant example, what are people seriously expecting of 30 Abrams, or 20 Leopard2, operating against local enemy air superiority and prepared defences? They’ll eat a mine or ATGM just like a T72 would.
Not only that, but defense is a different game from offense. No tank is immune to mines. Mines were the main culprit in slowing down the offensive, because there are so many of them on the Russian lines. Now Russians are going to have to go through the same while facing superior hardware that does not have to deal with mines 5km away and mostly safe.
The only reason they are gaining ground is that Ukraine has shown - including against the push of their western allies - that they value the lives of their soldiers, whereas Russia simply does not give a fuck.
Not to mention, it is a long front and Ukraine is still on the offensive. We will see.
Add comment