The War in the Ukraine
- Thread starter SampanViking
- Start date
Zelensky has called off a high-profile appearance in the US Senate - a briefing with US lawmakers. The news came after a top Ukrainian official warned they are in danger of losing the war against Russia if more US military aid is not approved.
I guess Zelensky wants to signal his displeasure at US lawmakers collectively for blocking funding to Ukraine. Somehow though, I think this move will prove entirely unwise and potentially self-destructive. I think it's incontrovertible that Ukraine needs the US far more than US needs Ukraine. At this point, he really should just go kneel before the US Senate, kowtow profusely and apologise for snubbing them for no reason.
I guess Zelensky wants to signal his displeasure at US lawmakers collectively for blocking funding to Ukraine. Somehow though, I think this move will prove entirely unwise and potentially self-destructive. I think it's incontrovertible that Ukraine needs the US far more than US needs Ukraine. At this point, he really should just go kneel before the US Senate, kowtow profusely and apologise for snubbing them for no reason.
I think it is the other way around. Certain senators are going to be asking harder question, demand clarify, plans, whatever. Stuff that Zelensky will find hard answering. They may question him about Zaluzhnyi request for $400 billion and 17 million shells.
The dog wags the tail, not the other way around. Elensky should keep that in mind while he is at war with Russia and fully depends on US military support
It kind of saddens me that Surovikin is unlikely to get the credit he deserves due to politics. If you look at all the right calls he made after he was put in charge:
1. He made the unpopular decision to withdraw from Kherson. Freeing up much needed troops to reinforce and stabilize the rest of the frontline, before the collapse of Kakhovka Dam which would have doomed them all
2. He immediately went about construction his now famous defense line, predicting correctly it would be critical when the next major AFU counterattack happens
3. He planned the Bakhmut campaign with Prigozhin, buying valuable time for Russian Army to train the newly mobilized troops while drawing away AFU resources that ended up hurting their chance for a successful counteroffensive
If he still had political favor he could have been depicted after the war as the next Zhukov just for those things. If he doesn't I lay the blame on Prigozhin and his massive ego. Surovikin used Wanger at the right place at the right time and good on Wagner to step up and carry the team when it was their time. But once that moment has passed for the future good of Russia such a powerful PMC cannot be allowed to exist. Had Prigozhin understood this he could've disappeared from public with all that fame and money, but alas his ego got the better of him and not only did he get himself killed but he also took down Surovikin's career in the process.
Even so, Surovikin being the stronger man, when Russian MOD made he take the fall in the aftermath of the Wagner uprising he took it like a man and faded from public without further stirring up drama.
Also while we're on the topic of Prigozhin and Wagner, I think in retrospect we have to give credit to Gerasimov and Shoigu. You might recall that time Prigozhin threw a tantrum and was yelling on air "Shoigu! Gerasimov! Where are the ammo?!" Even if he was right that they had more ammo to give and weren't giving it Wagner, it would in retrospect turn out to be the correct call. When viewing the war at a broader level saving up and setting aside ammo for the big Summer Counteroffensive was absolutely the right thing to do. Had they instead sent that ammo to Bakhmut I'm sure it would cut down on Wagner causalities, but it would also mean several month later Russian Army would be in bigger trouble at Robotyne. Prigozhin wasn't able to see this because he didn't not operate at that higher level.
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If Putin manages to win the Ukraine war by capturing a large chunk of Ukraine, will he be considered "Putin the Great" by Russians in the future?
Considering his achievements, essentially returning Russia from the dead and actually starting recapture former Russian Empire lands, he can easily be considered "the Great" in the annals of history.
Considering his achievements, essentially returning Russia from the dead and actually starting recapture former Russian Empire lands, he can easily be considered "the Great" in the annals of history.
Well, he indeed gambled with his legacy on the line. Success will be the judge.
That's that small difference between Yangdi of Sui and Taizong of Tang.
Quadcopter drop right into a Ukrainian supply van by the 9th Brigade.
Ukrainian sea drone destroyed in the Black Sea.
Ukraine was using a mall as an ammo depot in Kherson. It got hit by a Tornado-S. However other channels say the missile is an Iskander.
Ukrainian Grad MLRS hit by Lancet.
FPV drones from the Sparta Battalion takes out a Ukrainian BMP-1.
FPV drone takes out a Ukrainian dugout, courtesy of the Beaver detachment. The whole event was observed by an Orlan drone trying to target the dugout with a Krasnopol.
North Korean made Grad rockets being loaded into Russian Grad MLRS.
Ukrainian tank knocked out by Lancet as observed via thermal imager.
TOS working on Ukrainian positions in forest line.
French CAESAR SPG gets taken out by Lancet.
Ukrainian 2S3 Akasya gets taken out by Lancet.
Commando boat of the Ukrainian Marines gets shelled and damaged in the Dniepr. With the water this cold at this time of the year, this is how you get frostbite.
Ukrainian sea drone destroyed in the Black Sea.
Ukraine was using a mall as an ammo depot in Kherson. It got hit by a Tornado-S. However other channels say the missile is an Iskander.
Ukrainian Grad MLRS hit by Lancet.
FPV drones from the Sparta Battalion takes out a Ukrainian BMP-1.
FPV drone takes out a Ukrainian dugout, courtesy of the Beaver detachment. The whole event was observed by an Orlan drone trying to target the dugout with a Krasnopol.
North Korean made Grad rockets being loaded into Russian Grad MLRS.
Ukrainian tank knocked out by Lancet as observed via thermal imager.
TOS working on Ukrainian positions in forest line.
French CAESAR SPG gets taken out by Lancet.
Ukrainian 2S3 Akasya gets taken out by Lancet.
Commando boat of the Ukrainian Marines gets shelled and damaged in the Dniepr. With the water this cold at this time of the year, this is how you get frostbite.
Also i heard Russian lost an Su-24 on Black Sea. Believed to be Patriot, the aircraft was escorted by Su-30SM's. Unfortunately no real indication of exact location except it's said to be near Snake island.