Russian invasion of Ukraine

Here are some excellent points made by Margus @Tsahkna, Foreign Minister of Estonia:

◾️”I think that reality bites right now. I think that for many countries in Europe, this is an existential question, and our relationship with the US is very strong and remains very strong but it is very different right now.

◾️So we need to stand up as well and understand that no one else is coming to solve our problems in Europe. So we need to do that ourselves. Then the US will back us up.

◾️I don't want to use the words "wakeup call", we have had wakeup calls since 2008, when Russia invaded Georgia. But I feel a different energy here, in Europe, as well.

◾️We have a new initiative I cannot publish yet because we discussed that in the morning what we can rapidly do as a next step to support Ukraine: funds, military support and also frozen Russian assets. I do think that we can actually make a decision. 300 billion, it's a lot of money”
 
It’s about time Europe woke up and started to spend more on defence. Currently if Russia did invade more of Europe, other than Poland I’m not sure most countries could actually defend themselves.

Look at the UK, France and other countries and spending has been reduced and the armies have been cut as well.

I have to agree with the current us government, we've relied on America too much.
 
SHARP CRITICISM OF UKRAINIAN TACTICS AND WASTEFUL WEAPONS USE

One of the things that cropped up in the last week was the reporting on the way Ukraine’s army is wasteful of ammunition.
It’s left training and advisors furious with the disregard troops have for expensive weapons like Javelin and NLAWS.

Troops are accused of using NLAWS as if they were RPG’s firing off three or four at a single target when they only need one.
There use of Javelins is said to be ‘crushingly wasteful’. They also have a habit of dumping them when they retreat to the point that one observer said ‘the Russians have more Javelins than the British Army’. The $80,000 control boxes are reusable and they just throw them away.
The problem lies at the core of training with too many Russian trained officers who still operate old style tactics and refuse to listen to NATO doctrines, using the maximum force doctrine rather than the tactical precision doctrines of NATO.
Ukrainians say we don’t understand the unique nature of the war - but advisors and observers say that when you can’t get anyone to try the new tactics offered because officers won’t apply them.
All I can see is that a lot of people who try to help Become disillusioned. One told of new vehicles being delivered from fundraisers, reaching the front in effect stripped of parts and even seatbelts.
I find it very depressing to critique Ukraine like this but the issue with old and unyielding officers has been continually problematic. Part of the Problem with new brigades was that they were NATO trained and handed over to Russian style trained officers who had no idea what to do with them causing mayhem.
Problems exist but Ukraine has to deal with them. But as the war goes on they seem increasingly to believe we’re wrong and they’re right. I can see both points of view, but I cannot abide waste. Money for weapons is far from easy and a single Javelin system & shot is more than most UK families live on in a year at nearly £100k. It should as much be about respect as doctrine.

The Analyst
Slava Ukraine
 
gordondaviesmoustache said:
What do mean ‘Germany’? And discussing how? And what’s the source?
Click to expand...
They are already importing more Russian LNG this year.
https://kyivindependent.com/germany-buying-russian-lng/
The states discussing reimporting Russian gas are not listed in this article.
www.highnorthnews.com

EU Fails to Act on Russian LNG As Some Member States Discuss Restart of Gas Imports After War

Russian liquefied natural gas receives a pass in the latest round of EU sanctions. The European Commission will not be including new significant measures against the supercooled gas from Russia. The bloc imported record amounts from Russia in 2024.
www.highnorthnews.com www.highnorthnews.com
Top of the list are officials from Hungary and Germany
kyivindependent.com

EU debates restarting Russian gas purchases as part of Ukraine peace deal, FT reports

The proposal's advocates, including Hungarian and German officials, argue that the move could give both Russia and Europe incentives to maintain a ceasefire while stabilizing the continent's energy market, the Financial Times wrote.
kyivindependent.com kyivindependent.com
 
SPIDERBOY said:
BIg battle raging to the East of the Antonovsky Bridge,Kherson Region....Left bank.

Slava Ukraini.
Click to expand...
Well that's a surprise.
Ukraine has occupied the East end of tfe Bridge for a long time as there is no cover to even get close to it. Russians tried to retake it and go blitzed by drones.
Indeed tgere are 1000s of Ukraine drones coming online over the next few weeks.
A Swarm of 6000 AI controlled drone swarm from Gerrmany us one such package arriving imminently arrive imminently.
The Ukrainian control of the skies over the Pokrovsk battle area that Ruzzian mobics are complaining about recently is just the start I think.
 
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Scottyboi said:
SHARP CRITICISM OF UKRAINIAN TACTICS AND WASTEFUL WEAPONS USE

One of the things that cropped up in the last week was the reporting on the way Ukraine’s army is wasteful of ammunition.
It’s left training and advisors furious with the disregard troops have for expensive weapons like Javelin and NLAWS.

Troops are accused of using NLAWS as if they were RPG’s firing off three or four at a single target when they only need one.
There use of Javelins is said to be ‘crushingly wasteful’. They also have a habit of dumping them when they retreat to the point that one observer said ‘the Russians have more Javelins than the British Army’. The $80,000 control boxes are reusable and they just throw them away.
The problem lies at the core of training with too many Russian trained officers who still operate old style tactics and refuse to listen to NATO doctrines, using the maximum force doctrine rather than the tactical precision doctrines of NATO.
Ukrainians say we don’t understand the unique nature of the war - but advisors and observers say that when you can’t get anyone to try the new tactics offered because officers won’t apply them.
All I can see is that a lot of people who try to help Become disillusioned. One told of new vehicles being delivered from fundraisers, reaching the front in effect stripped of parts and even seatbelts.
I find it very depressing to critique Ukraine like this but the issue with old and unyielding officers has been continually problematic. Part of the Problem with new brigades was that they were NATO trained and handed over to Russian style trained officers who had no idea what to do with them causing mayhem.
Problems exist but Ukraine has to deal with them. But as the war goes on they seem increasingly to believe we’re wrong and they’re right. I can see both points of view, but I cannot abide waste. Money for weapons is far from easy and a single Javelin system & shot is more than most UK families live on in a year at nearly £100k. It should as much be about respect as doctrine.

The Analyst
Slava Ukraine
Click to expand...
Saw that this morning.
Too many Russian military accademy trained senior officers I think.
 
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from the Telegraph​

Starmer ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine if peace deal reached​

It is understood to be the first time the PM has been explicit about sending British peacekeepers to Ukraine

Nadeem Badshah
Sun 16 Feb 2025 23.15 GMT
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Keir Starmer has said he is prepared to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine if there is a deal to end the war with Russia, acknowledging it could put troops “in harm’s way” if Vladimir Putin launches another attack.

It is understood to be the first time the prime minister has explicitly stated he is considering deploying British peacekeepers to Ukraine. The comments came just before emergency talks with European leaders in Paris on Monday.

The leaders will aim to devise a strategy in response to Donald Trump’s push for a deal with the Russian president and to fears the US will reduce its defence commitments in Europe.

Starmer said the crisis was a “once in a generation moment” and an “existential” question for Europe.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said the UK was “ready to play a leading role” in Ukraine’s defence and security, including the commitment of £3bn a year until 2030. Starmer said that, along with military aid to the country, “it also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary”.

“I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way,” Starmer said.

“But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country.

“The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again.”

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, UK prime ministers have refused to publicly consider sending British soldiers to the country.

Starmer had previously suggested that British troops could be involved in safeguarding Ukraine after a ceasefire.

The UK’s prime minister, who is due to visit President Trump in Washington later this month, said: “While European nations must step up in this moment – and we will – US support will remain critical and a US security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again.”

Representatives of the US administration and Russian counterparts are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks following Trump’s phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday.

But Ukrainian officials are not expected to be at the table at this stage and other European leaders might not be involved in the process at all.


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Starmer added: “We must be clear that peace cannot come at any cost. Ukraine must be at the table in these negotiations because anything less would accept Putin’s position that Ukraine is not a real nation.”

He also warned of a repeat of the chaos after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 under former president Joe Biden, which followed a deal struck with the Taliban under Trump.

“We cannot have another situation like Afghanistan, where the US negotiated directly with the Taliban and cut out the Afghan government,” Starmer said.

“I feel sure that President Trump will want to avoid this too
 
Stuff 16/02:
www.dailykos.com

Russian stuff blowing up: Ukraine chases Russia out of Pishchane

More good news from the area south of Pokrovsk. This will put extra pressure on the Russians in that salient in the village of Kotlyne that is northwest of Pishchane and in the village of Shevchenko, which is southeast of Pishchane. Pokrovsk continues...
www.dailykos.com

84 (EIGHTY FOUR) Ruzzian AFVs were blown up in the last 24 hours. Astonishing.
 
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