It is Veterans Day today. I can't think of a better tribute to all of those who have fought for freedom then to post about the liberation of the city of Kherson in Ukraine, and many of its surrounding villages.
We have watched in sadness these past months the spread of Russian forces in Ukraine. They only brought death and destruction to those in their wake. As the Ukrainian military has freed more of its territory the people of Ukraine truly have something to celebrate.
In their words:
For many who live in freedom it is not easy to understand what those under Russian occupation have had to live with. But their reaction at liberation is a clue.
No, the war is not over. But in this moment in time good has triumphed over evil and we can take a moment to celebrate with the brave people of Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini!
58 comments:
Off topic comment:
I think that perhaps the Republicans totally misread the reaction of Americans to their efforts at banning abortion. While it may not have been an issue that moved voters in the past, as Roe v Wade was in place, take it away and you may have unintended consequences.
Generation Z votes
Gen Z voters have grown up in a country that always protected our bodily autonomy. Having it stripped away, by individuals who don’t represent the vast majority of us, woke a lot of us up to the importance of voting. That’s a lesson we won’t soon unlearn.
I suspect this was not just the case in Kansas. I think it affected how Minnesota voted as well.
You see, people will still fight for their freedom here too. It was never about abortion, per se, it was always about women's rights.
Heróyam sláva!
"Ukraine’s population has been hardened by Russia’s
devastating military campaign, which has destroyed civilian
areas and resulted in massacres, rape and looting. Even if
Ukrainian leaders were prepared to make concessions to bring
the fighting to an end, their people are not disposed to accept
that, the officials say.
"American officials say Russia’s recent attacks on critical
infrastructure have made negotiations less likely by eroding
any public support for compromise."
NewYorkTimes
________________________________
"I think that perhaps the Republicans totally misread the
reaction of Americans to their efforts at banning abortion."
Republican politicians would never have banned abortion had it been left up to them. (It was a fundraising and 'base' incitement tool for them, little more; they knew where the votes were on this subject.) They never wanted this to happen.
The problem that caught them in the end was their successful surrender of the Supreme Court to the Federalist Society and that clique of authoritarian friendly lawyers. The new Federalist Society Justices don't give a damn about the popular votes--they've got five votes in the Supreme Court and they believe that's gonna allow them to do as they damn well please--the votes of the citizens be damned. The citizens will be allowed to carry the vote on anything the Federalist Society allows them to vote on. The six Federalist Society Justices will be deciding what's gonna be allowed to go to the vote of the common citizens and what's not going to be allowed.
They call themselves 'originalists'; that name was not chosen accidentally. The original set up for the United States government was for a self-perpetuating aristocracy governing in place of the British monarchy. An actual voting democracy was not the "original' intention, and it's not what our 'originalist' Justices think they're gonna usher into power in the next few years.
The Federalist Society has yet to actually strike back against the plebeian voter resistance to their patrician choices, but that's comin' soon 'nuff. This one ain't near over yet; not by a long shot. It ain't but barely got started. And it ain't limited to the question of abortion. It's about reining in, squelching, the popular democracy that has overtaken their 'originalist' aristocratic intentions.
The Republicans in Congress ain't in charge of that action anymore; that power has moved on from them. That's why this has happened now, in spite of the fact that the Republican politicians in Congress would never have allowed it to actually happen, had it been left up to them. (They had plenty of opportunities to try for it over the years, but never made that mistake, afraid that they might succeed and then have to pay the price.)
But, you don't get to vote those Federalist Society Justices out of power, don't matter what 'Gen Z' thinks they've learned. Check the Constitution; they've got lifetime tenures. They do not fear your vote, nor do they fear 'Gen Z'.
"Word is that they have left quite a bit of their equipment
in Kherson Oblast…"
There appear to be quite a few pictures and videos to back up the word.
The Ukrainians are discovering Russian soldiers left in their foxholes as well as the aforementioned equipment and ammunition.
"Ukrainian military’s intelligence agency said on Saturday that
there were still soldiers in fixed defensive positions, and that it
was unclear whether they would fight, flee or surrender.
"‛Time will tell,’ the agency said.
"It was unclear how many soldiers were left behind as the
Russians retreated and how many might be part of an
organized fighting force aiming to slow the Ukrainian advance.
"…some Russian soldiers in and around Kherson city were still
actively engaged with Ukrainian forces. There were also
reports…of Russian soldiers surrendering to the Ukrainians.
"‛How many forgotten soldiers remain, it is very difficult to say
at this point,’"
NYT
"American officials say Russia’s recent attacks on critical
infrastructure have made negotiations less likely by eroding
any public support for compromise."
In all honesty it doesn't appear that Putin wants negotiations either. Not serious ones anyway. It should be up to the Ukrainians when negotiations can proceed. But I understand Milley's view that winter may provide a catalyst. But for Ukraine territory is of great importance. They want ALL of it back.
The problem that caught them in the end was their successful surrender of the Supreme Court to the Federalist Society and that clique of authoritarian friendly lawyers.
Justice Samuel Alito got a long ovation at a dinner on Thursday night celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Federalist Society for his role in overturning Roe v. Wade.
But, you don't get to vote those Federalist Society Justices out of power, don't matter what 'Gen Z' thinks they've learned. Check the Constitution; they've got lifetime tenures. They do not fear your vote, nor do they fear 'Gen Z'.
Yes, well, the operative word there is lifetime. No one really knows what time we all get. But I still think they should fear the balance of power that was set up in our government. Gen Z will be around longer.
Then there are those things that you just can't think of. Like a reliably conservative couple deciding their convenience is of more importance then hewing to the Republican Party line that mail in ballots are bad and need to go away. Because if that happened they would have to go in person to vote, and they simply don't want to do that. So there go 2 votes for Secretary of State migrating to the Democrat. Yup, you just can't foresee some things.
Like that red wave that hasn't materialized in this mid-term election, despite high inflation and low ratings for Joe Biden. I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet. I will try to emulate the people of Ukraine's steadfastness.
The Ukrainians are discovering Russian soldiers left in their foxholes as well as the aforementioned equipment and ammunition.
Yup, they really left in a hurry. If those Russians are smart they will jump ship rather then fight.
Word is that Russia is withdrawing from the southern part of Kherson as well.
The Russians blew up part of the Nova Kakhovka dam before they left. If that fails it will flood the southern portion of Kherson. The area the Russians may be evacuating from now.
It looks like the Democrats will keep the Senate.
YES!!
"I understand Milley's view that winter may provide a
catalyst."
Milley seems to believe that winter will bring a slowdown in operations by Ukraine as well as by Russia. There's some evidence already accumulating that suggests Milley's got that figured wrong. The Ukrainians may think they should press their advantage while the Russian's are still down--take more of 'em out while they're dealing with failure and with winter, and not let 'em gather a deep breath and reorganize under the cover of winter.
The Russian soldiers are far from home and poorly equipped--just what broke Hitler's rampage into Russia, far from home and poorly equipped, and it cost Hitler the war when the Russians didn't let up on him come winter. The Russians now have the added disadvantage of the poor quality of their troops--poorly trained, poorly motivated, in addition to being poorly equipped, and far from home with notably shakey supply lines and poor general logistical support. Could get ugly for them if the Ukrainians don't let up on the pressure.
So, Milley's basic assumptions may be wrong, maybe way wrong.
________________________________
"Word is that Russia is withdrawing from the southern part of
Kherson as well."
I'm more than a little skeptical of that word. That would put the Ukrainians right on top of Crimea. Putin won't want that. He's not ready for the Ukrainian army on the doorstep of his most prized acquisition, I don't think.
________________________________
"It looks like the Democrats will keep the Senate."
It would be good if the Democrats can hold on to a majority in the House of Representatives as well. May be a couple more days, maybe even take a recount or two, before we have the answer to that.
Could get ugly for them if the Ukrainians don't let up on the pressure.
I suspect that, give the weapons and ammunition, that they won't.
I'm more than a little skeptical of that word.
According to Ukrainian military sources the Russians have pulled back from the southern bank of the river, probably to avoid being shelled. There are satellite images that appear to show a pullback from Chaplynka Airfield. Too early to tell what is really going on.
Through some intercepted Russian phone calls those soldiers whose contracts are up in the beginning of December are getting restless. They don't want to stay any longer than the end date of their contract. Once winter sets in that may prove to be a problem for Russia.
It would be good if the Democrats can hold on to a majority in the House of Representatives as well.
Oh, yes, definitely. I just don't want to get my hopes up for that, though.
After watching the results of the mid-terms I am seeing a glimmer of my America again. It was a relief. No, we are not out of the woods, but there is hope again.
"I just don't want to get my hopes up for that, though."
I've definitely gotten my hopes up. I don't expect it; odds are against it. I won't be finding myself let down if the odds play out as expected.
But, I'm hoping.
I had some time today, I am done with yard cleanup, and I watched the Vikings beat Buffalo. That was an amazing game. So I do know that miracles do happen. I am secretly hoping too that we will pull off a miracle in the House.
"There are satellite images that appear to show a pullback
from Chaplynka Airfield."
I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians pulled back from there. That's an extremely exposed position, of little real use to them; they don't use air transport very much. (They don't want to expose their aircraft to Ukrainian air defenses, and their pilots don't want to expose themselves. They're used to flying virtually unopposed, as in Syria and Chechnya.)
Other than that, the military announcements I've been seeing appear to me to indicate the Russians are digging in on the 'left bank' (east/south side of the river).
Yes, I have heard that they are digging in as well. I suspect, not happily, though.
Word is the Ukrainian Army has crossed the Dnipro River, intent on disrupting the digging.
Perhaps the source of the rumors about the Russians having "pulled back" from the southern bank of the Dnipro River….
"Britain said Tuesday that Russia was redeploying some
troops to the Henichesk area of Kherson [Oblast]. ‛It is well
positioned to coordinate action against potential Ukrainian
threats. … Above all, it is currently out of range of Ukrainian
artillery systems which have inflicted heavy damage’ on the
Kremlin’s forces, the Defense Ministry in London said."
WashingtonPost
And (unrelated), I notice that Zelenskyy has appeared (via television) at the current G-20 meeting in Indonesia, and Putin has not.
"Word is the Ukrainian Army has crossed the Dnipro River…"
Or, maybe not… Apparently the Russians took to shooting at wind and shadows under the mistaken impression it was Ukrainians comin' for 'em.
Or, maybe not… Apparently the Russians took to shooting at wind and shadows under the mistaken impression it was Ukrainians comin' for 'em.
They have been known to shoot at their own soldiers so that wouldn't surprise me.
But then again who knows where the Ukrainian Army really is...hmmm? They are slippery.
It looks like Putin has again lobbed missiles at Ukrainian towns and infrastructure. Now who in there right mind would actually want to be part of a country like that?
Word is that 2 missiles have struck in Poland, killing 2 people. They hit at the same time as Russia was lobbing missiles at the west of Ukraine.
"It looks like Putin has again lobbed missiles at Ukrainian
towns and infrastructure."
I think all that singing and dancing in Kherson got under his skin. Plus Zelenskyy made a victory tour of the Kherson city's main square, and then took a bow at the G-20 where Putin can't go on account of people would point and snicker. So, Putin's had a bit of a tantrum building up. I think that's what the big missile barrage was all about. Too much happy on the Ukrainian side this past week, and Putin couldn't let that go unpunished.
________________________________
"Word is that 2 missiles have struck in Poland…"
This sort of thing can get rapidly out of hand.
(Ya gotta start to worry when a guy can get his hands on nukes starts consistently screwin' up everything he touches.)
I think all that singing and dancing in Kherson got under his skin.
I think so too. But he's just playing wack-a-mole. He can't win like that.
This sort of thing can get rapidly out of hand.
It sounds like cooler heads have prevailed. They are investigating closely and it appears that it was an accident caused by a shootdown of a Russian missile by Ukraine. Of course, if Russia wasn't shooting missiles at Ukraine it wouldn't have happened, but at least it appears there was no intent to actually attack Poland.
"Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-
based think tank, said Russian forces probably used a
‛substantial portion’ of their high-precision weapons in the
attacks [on Tuesday]."
WaPo
More such attacks have followed today; cruise missiles have been shot down over Kyiv.
I think the number of missiles was 16 and 9 were shot down. But they still did a large amount of damage.
There was also an attack in Crimea by what may be Ukrainian made drones.
It looks like the extremists in the Republican Party, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, are going to ramp up efforts to cut aid to Ukraine. Yet they will no doubt enjoy wasting taxpayer money investigating the Bidens.
The Republican extremist attitude towards Putin worries me. But, if we're lucky it will backfire on them. I won't predict that; we'll just have to wait and see.
I figure Hunter Biden brought it on himself, and when Joe Biden asked for the job he had to know what they were going to try to do to him if they got the chance. He saw them investigate Hillary and Benghazi, I think it was eight times. He had to know what was comin'. So I'm not going to worry 'bout that too much. Not yet anyway.
Off topic:
Linda Greenhouse has a decent article in TheAtlantic about how the recent right-winger take over of the Supreme Court is creating a 'legitimacy' crisis for the Court among the 'under 50 years old' crowd. (She also includes an unnecessary (in my opinion) history of how we got here, going back to Ronald Reagan's unsuccessful attempt to seat the right-wing ideologue, Thomas Bork, on the Supreme Court, and even (briefly) a little further to Richard Nixon's presidential campaign featuring right wing hostility to the Warren Court, but if ya can bear plodding past those parts, the rest of the article is worth the time.)
...the recent right-winger take over of the Supreme Court is creating a 'legitimacy' crisis for the Court among the 'under 50 years old' crowd.
What happens when a single person forces his/her ideas onto a larger majority? We're seeing it in Ukraine and Russia today. What happens when a small group of people forces their ideas onto a larger majority? We're seeing it in the US today. But there is a danger in trying to herd cats. They often don't do what you think they will. I suspect that there are more people over 50 who will also begin to doubt the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, if they haven't already. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a mistake. No matter what excuse they used. All they did was open a can of worms.
"They can't govern so they will make it harder for others to do
so."
It's not clear that they can't govern. It is clear that they don't want to govern (not in a democratic society anyway). The futility of the federal government is part and parcel of their political dogma. It does not suit them to disprove that dogma by allowing the federal government to work effectively, even when they are in power.
They don't want to govern; and they sure as Hell don't want to allow anybody else to govern.
In place of a working government they will create spectacle. There's a very good chance that'll backfire on them. May well be the antics of the newly Republican House (along with the threat of more Trump to come) that puts Biden back in the White House in 2024. (Assuming Trump wins the Republican nomination once again.)
We were speculating earlier on Iran's ability to produce drones for Russia. They have addressed that problem.
"After weeks of savaging Ukrainian cities with Iranian-made
drones, Moscow has quietly reached an agreement with
Tehran to begin manufacturing hundreds of unmanned
weaponized aircraft on Russian soil, according to new
intelligence seen by U.S. and other Western security agencies."
WashingtonPost
(This may not be as bad a piece of news as it sounds. Earlier it was observed that "the number of missiles was 16 and 9 were shot down." ― Lynnette @ Thu Nov 17, 09:48 pm ↑↑. Not mentioned was that the Russians had also launched five (5) Iranian drones along with that barrage, and all five were intercepted. By the time the Russians can produce Iranian modeled drones, the Ukrainians may be quite competent at intercepting them -- we have a few months to figure out how to help make that happen.)
_________________________
Elon Musk has reinstated Donald Trump to Twitter. That is almost certainly bad news. Hard to say how bad, and fully list those for whom it's bad news, but it's almost certainly going to prove bad news for Elon Musk and for Twitter.
Elon Musk has reinstated Donald Trump to Twitter. That is almost certainly bad news. Hard to say how bad, and fully list those for whom it's bad news, but it's almost certainly going to prove bad news for Elon Musk and for Twitter.
I suspect so too. There was a message sent in the mid-term's. While it was sent via the abortion issue, the deeper meaning of all of those votes was that even some Republicans are getting tired of the behavior of the GOP. Eventually more may well realize that it is the GOP that is out of step with individual rights and values. Trump can only exacerbate that.
I can only hope so anyway.
As for Elon Musk, he made some bad choices. The first in buying Twitter in the first place. It was apparently poorly placed financially and Musk's actions have not helped that. Calling back Trump will likely turn the site into just another extremist social media site. It that transpires more people will jump ship.
Not mentioned was that the Russians had also launched five (5) Iranian drones along with that barrage, and all five were intercepted.
Yes. The Ukrainians have also developed or modified their own drones. I could picture a drone defensive army patrolling their skies. Every tune a weapon is brought on line a defense is created.
There is news that Justice Alito leaked information about a case back in 2014.
I have long had Justice Alito on my list of suspects for the Dobbs leak. He likes to give paid speeches at right-winger fundraisers. The temptation to make himself more desirable as a speaker and hired 'guest' at such fundraisers was obvious to me.
I do not expect the Supreme Court to diligently investigate this new allegation any more than they seem to have diligently investigated the leak about the Dobbs decision.
"Calling back Trump will likely turn the site into just another extremist
social media site."
Musk's public proclaimation that he is a free speech 'absolutist' strikes me as just the sort of thing that might get him held legally liable for potential damages for some of the 'free speech' he tolerates and spreads via Twitter.
And his status as the world's richest man is likely to encourage shots at that target.
I do not expect the Supreme Court to diligently investigate this new allegation any more than they seem to have diligently investigated the leak about the Dobbs decision.
No. And what would they do anyway if they had definitive proof? Censure someone? Kind of meaningless.
And his status as the world's richest man is likely to encourage shots at that target.
I think some people are already pursuing his money via lawsuits with regard to his actions in laying off people from Twitter.
"Kind of meaningless."
Perhaps. But, I'm reasonably confident that if the six-man Federalist Society contingent believed that the leak might have come from one of the three 'liberal' Justices on the Court there'd be a diligent investigation and a public censure of the offending Justice and an impeachment effort mounted. (And a public 'crucifiction' of the Justice's reputation, along with calls for that Justice's impeachment, even if there wasn't definitive proof turned up.) The fact that they don't seem to want to know, publicly, who was the source of the leak suggests to me that they already know privately who was the source of the leak and it's one of them and they don't want that information to go public, lest those calls for impeachment arise against one of them.
________________________________
It seems from recent reports that the Russians are trying hard to amp up their war in Ukraine's Donbas region (the two furthest eastern oblasts, Luhansk and Donetsk).
I'm thinking the Ukrainians will therefore attack Crimea next, possibly
Zaporizhzhia Oblast, but looking to get to Crimea from there if they go that route.
It sounds like Putin is to meet with families of some of the newly mobilized Russian cannon fodder that have been sent to Ukraine. It's not wise to piss off Mother's in Russia.
Also, this was on CNN's website today:
Some 300 mobilized Russians are being held in a basement in Zaitsevo in the Luhansk region for refusing to return to the front line, the Astra Telegram channel – a project of independent Russian journalists – reported, quoting their relatives.
One woman said her husband had told her: “New people are constantly brought in. They are in a large basement in the House of Culture in Zaitsevo. They feed them once a day: One dry ration to share between five to six people. They constantly threaten them.”
So a rather horrible thought just occurred to me. You have, I assume, heard of the alleged incident of the Ukrainian military firing on surrendering Russian soldiers? Supposedly Russian soldiers surrendered and laid on the ground and then the last solider out opened fire on Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainians fired back, killing everyone. Russia is calling it a war crime by Ukraine and Ukraine is saying they were fired on and just fired back in defense.
So, considering that there is video of the last Russian out of the building firing his weapon, it is a possibility that the whole thing was staged by Russia, and I wonder if that was a use for some of those soldiers that have been refusing to fight? The incident of the prison that was bombed comes to mind. Obviously human life to Russia is cheap, even their own.
But, I'm reasonably confident that if the six-man Federalist Society contingent believed that the leak might have come from one of the three 'liberal' Justices on the Court there'd be a diligent investigation and a public censure of the offending Justice and an impeachment effort mounted.
Oh, definitely. That the investigation has just faded away does imply it was one of their own.
"Putin is to meet with families…"
Russian government efforts to sell the war to the Russian population seems to be having little effect. Those who reflexively supported the war still support the war. Those who were against it from the beginning have not been won over. Those who tried to ignore it are less able to do so and are generally not being won over to Putin's side when they now have to take sides.
It's hard to say how much of a problem that's going to be for him eventually, but we can say it currently seems to be getting worse for him, not better.
"You have, I assume, heard of the alleged incident …"
I have also heard that Zelenskyy has approved/ordered a full and formal investigation of the incident--written report and all that goes with a proper investigation of the allegations. That's enough to satisfy me for now.
“After what was initially a quiet retreat from Kherson, Russian
troops appear to have regrouped on the east bank of the
Dnieper in recent days, sending artillery, rockets and mortars
roaring toward residential parts of Kherson.”
WaPo
New wave of attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure (apparently concentrating on electrical production and distribution) has been launched today.
If Russia is actually running out of precision guided missiles that's not showing up in their attacks to date.
If Russia is actually running out of precision guided missiles that's not showing up in their attacks to date.
No, it doesn't seem to be. Unfortunately. So did we vastly underestimate their stockpiles or are they getting resupplied?
Russian government efforts to sell the war to the Russian population seems to be having little effect.
There do seem to be some Russians who are starting to notice things disappearing or becoming more expensive. The war may become a more difficult sell if that is true and continues to worsen.
There are also those pesky videos that surface periodically showing the poorly equipped cannon fod...er...Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
I have also heard that Zelenskyy has approved/ordered a full and formal investigation of the incident--
That will do for now. It is more than the Russians do.
New wave of attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure...
Some of those came from ships in the Black Sea. Time to remove them I think.
Not that it really matters now, but Sarah Palin lost her election bid.
That was me.
Lynnette in Minnesota
"So did we vastly underestimate their stockpiles or are they
getting resupplied?"
Could be it's neither.
You may have heard that we're buying several thousands of 155 mm artillery shells from South Korea? And yet the South Koreans are insisting that they're not selling arms to either side in Putin's War.
We've tapped into our 'reserves' of 155 mm shells to supply Ukraine, and we are now re-filling that stock of reserves by purchases from South Korea. We've supposedly promised South Korea that the shells they're selling us will go into the depleted reserves and not go to Europe, Ukraine specifically. (That's what the South Koreans say anyway--I don't think we've ever confirmed that claim.) This allows the South Koreans to to continue to claim they're not selling arms to either side in the Putin/Ukrainian War.
Could be the 'experts' who've said Putin's forces should be running low were expecting him to likewise keep a supply in reserve in case Russia faced a situation where the nation would need to defend themselves. But, maybe Putin figures this is an 'existential' problem for Putin, and so there's no need to maintain reserves to protect a post-Putin Russia--won't do Putin any good. So, could be he'll burn through the precision guided armaments 'til there's none left--no 'reserves', and only then will they go back to massive barrages from the cheaper 'dumb' missiles that Russia can produce without western technology. (One possible alternative explanation; I don't pretend to know.)
________________________________
It does appear that the Russians have cut back on the infrastructure attacks for today. Perhaps they're studying up on which areas that still show signs of having functional electrical power.
________________________________
Story's going 'round that the good guys are starting to try to hunt up WWII era anti-aircraft guns and anti-tank guns (they were somewhat interchangeable) to deal with Russia's low altitude, low air-speed threats, i.e. drones and cruise missiles. (Havta teach the Ukrainian soldiers how to aim without radar lock-on, but they can probably relearn the old skills.)
________________________________
"Not that it really matters now…"
Yeah, it does still matter. We don't need her hangin' 'round.
Yeah, it does still matter. We don't need her hangin' 'round.
Yes, from that aspect, it does matter. One less wingnut is always good.
It seems that Yakutia Airlines has started cannibalizing planes for parts. The thing is, the two cannibalized planes were Russian.
I guess if you look under the hood Russian "made" planes actually use many Western made parts.
The Russians have finally dug in their new positions east of the Dnipro River deep enough so that they're now comfortable shelling the civilians in the Kherson municipality from which they fled just two weeks ago. NYT
Nerd Alert: Russian secret police (FSB) have killed three Russian 'gamers' caught playing a locally popular videogame while 'in costume'. (The FSB agents were apparently under the impression that Ukrainian Special Ops forces had somehow penetrated 100 miles into Russia and were running loose on the streets of Vorozneh, Russia. So, they killed three of 'em--takin' no prisoners it would seem. Presumably the rest of the nerds got away.) BusinessInsider
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Wiki say: Yakutia Airlines only had thirteen planes in the fleet to start with. Four of them were Boeing 737s. Another four were De Havilland -8s (Canadian manufacture).
That leaves only five Russian Sukhoi 100s in their fleet, two of which are apparently already being stripped for parts.
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Headline in the British Daily Express: "Desperate Putin tells Army it needs 5 million troops to 'finish war with NATO in Ukraine'"
(Further discussion of the subject appears in Newsweek)
Calling up another 4,700,000 men to fight in Ukraine won't help Russia. Not only can Russia not supply the men they have now taking that many out of the workforce will really screw up the Russian economy.
I rather liked this comment that was attached to the Newsweek article.
Arming 5 million of his citizens may be just what Russia needs to overthrow the Putin regime.
The FSB agents were apparently under the impression that Ukrainian Special Ops forces had somehow penetrated 100 miles into Russia and were running loose on the streets of Vorozneh, Russia.
Panic, much? Besides, don't they know that Moscow is the target?
"Calling up another 4,700,000 men to fight in Ukraine won't
help Russia."
I don't think Putin was intending to put five million men in Ukraine. I think he said that Russia needed a five million man military force to defeat NATO in Ukraine. The current, official count of their military force is just over three million head. A million of them active duty, and another two million in the reserves. (The actual count is significantly lower, as Russia follows the Asian corrupted military model of keeping ghost soldiers on the payroll for the officers to siphon off wages, but it's still likely over two and a half million head, current total, active and reserves.)
So, basically Putin was suggesting that Russia needs to near triple the size of its active duty military, another two million men there. (The new soldiers will not become 'reserves' until their active duty ends and the current count of 'ghost' soldiers will likely persist.)
But, your observation about them not being able to effectively handle the current head count is still applicable. That problem ain't gonna get any better by making it bigger.
So, basically Putin was suggesting that Russia needs to near triple the size of its active duty military, another two million men there.
Huh! They can't pay the soldiers they already have in uniform. No, wait, they can't even provide uniforms!
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