That is total hubris on the part of the Russians. They should know very well from the Chechnya Wars that urban and semi urban warfare is very difficult, especially against a determined and decently armed opponent.
Ukrainian War Developments
- Thread starter james smith esq
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There were 35 abstaining in the last UN vote. Now there are 38 abstaining, which is an increase of 3 countries.
It doesn't look like Russia is getting more isolated.
The 3:1 manpower ratio is a myth. Look at the battle for Berlin. Stalin had inferior numbers, used brute force to take it as quickly as possible, and the Germans still lost more.
Another myth is the fact that urban warfare is harder than open warfare. It's usually a last resort for defenders. Most city battles have ended up much worse for the defenders, even in battles they "won", e.g. the first battles of Grozny & Fallujah. It becomes harder to operate artillery, to move around, and very difficult to concentrate forces. While the attacker can pick the time and area of attack. That's assuming they actually bother with urban fighting. They can just sit outside and shell the place to the ground (as what seems to have happened in Mariupol).
If your game plan is to fight in cities you've already lost the war.
I disagree. Urban fighting is difficult against a well equipped and determined enemy, even for the side that has much greater firepower. The Chechen Wars and Fallujah have proven that in recent decades. In the cases of Grozny and Fallujah, yes, the attackers did eventually win, but it was definitely not a cakewalk and it necessitated essentially destroying those cities.
The last time *on video* was in 2019.
last time in practice...well, I frankly doubt area targets disappeared due to covid-19.
Its a tactic as old as when humans first learned war. They would dehumanize their enemies, putting themselves on a high pedestal, provoking fear into their populace that these "savages" is out to get them, and that they are weak enough that "All you have to do is kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will crumble to the ground".
We can see this tactic take many forms throughout history in order adapt to and gain a wider spread, notably starting with "religion" and "spirituality" (Manifest Destiny), and now with ideology like "democracy" and "freedom".
Sorry for the late reply, my internet got cut off for the entire day, just before I finished typing this post.
China: "We are. Are you?"
when there are 4m refugees sent into Nato countries in a month. you still think there is no justification of Nato?
it look like 4D chess as Russia is constantly luring Ukraine to fight and engaging Europe to invest further in unproductive rearmament and bankrupt Ukraine. Putin also gave pause to strikes when Indian students need to rescued. and i am sure his telling his opec partners that since he started this buildup in less than one Year there incomes tripled. every one is benefiting.
$300b of reserves blocked but they owed $480b.
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