Ukraine Military: Situation and Needs

Russia sells weapons to almost anyone... even Saudi Arabia... they are hardly in a position to throw stones.

I don't think Turkey is more guilty of such things as any other "partner" the Russians have.

The UK and US go out of their way to finance and support those that will do harm to Russia and Russian interests... I think they are more of a problem than Turkey.

I think Turkey could become a useful and powerful ally to Russia, and I think Russian gas going to Turkey and then on to Europe gives Turkey a lot of leverage over the EU, and will earn them a lot in transit fees alone.

The Ukraine was going to buy UAVs... whether Turkey sells them or Israel or whoever else does is not really that important... Turkey should make sure the cheque clears before handing over any hardware.

I am sure the Russians will find those UAVs interesting to examine and dissect.

Actually it would probably be much more useful to use one of their jammers and see if they can knock one down electronically so they can get a look at one... but of course claim publicly that they are unreliable and had some sort of system failure and that is why it crashed.

If you can bring them down you don't want them to know that...

Verbas would be overkill... they should send them to me...

Good... they are armed... so easy to justify shooting them down in numbers on sight.

Recovery of tanks in Ukraine from storage

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3587222.html

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine accuses the KGBM of disrupting the mass production of armored personnel carriers BTR-4E

On August 15, 2019, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published an official response to allegations from the Ukrainian media against it of blocking the purchase of armored personnel carriers BTR-4E produced by the State Enterprise Kharkiv Design Bureau of Engineering named after A.A. Morozova ”(HCMB). The text of the answer clearly demonstrates the level of degradation of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine - in particular, it is indicated that “in two years of the contract, with due funding, the enterprise [KHMB] produced only 7 units of BTR-4E armored personnel carriers”.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3739337.html

Suspects under interrogation


Within Syria
@WithinSyriaBlog
·
3h
Former head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Lieutenant General Viktor Gvozd, died in a diving accident near Dahab in Egyptian Sinai

"There was no synergy": the office of Zelensky commented on the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Khomchak

It became known about the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Ruslan Khomchak. He resigned today "on the basis of negotiations with the president of the country." This interpretation is used in the Ukrainian media.

It is reported that Colonel-General Khomchak, who was the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since March 27, 2020 (then the position appeared in the Ukrainian register), goes to serve in the National Security and Defense Council. According to the latest data, the 54-year-old general will take the post of Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. At this point, he replaces Mikhail Koval.

The press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports that Valery Zaluzhny has been approved for the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Until recently, Major General Zaluzhny was the commander of the VOK (operational command troops) "North".

The press service of President Zelensky, commenting on the resignation of Ruslan Khomchak, said that there was “no synergy” between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense.

The president has no doubts about Khomchak's professionalism and patriotism, but he wants to see synergy between the defense ministry and the military. So far, we only see conflicts.

Earlier, between the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Minister of Defense of the country, there was, to put it mildly, a misunderstanding on a number of issues related, first of all, to the reform of the army. This "misunderstanding" developed into interdepartmental conflicts, which are now being discussed in Zelensky's office.

Apparently, Zelensky expects a voiced "synergy" from Zaluzhny.

For reference: Khomchak graduated from the Moscow Military High School named after the Supreme Council of the RSFSR in 1988. Serves in the armed forces of Ukraine since 1993.

https://topwar-ru.translate.goog/185363-ne-bylo-sinergii-v-ofise-zelenskogo-prokommentirovali-otstavku-glavkoma-vsu-homchaka.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=ajax,elem,se

US invited to station troops & rocket systems in Ukraine in potential major escalation of tense standoff across border with Russia
https://www.rt.com/russia/531653-reznikov-invited-us-deploy-military/

The presence of US troops in the country justify actual support from Russia for those who could use it...

Ukraina is doing all it can to make someone else joining the war they cant win.
But there is hardly anyone interested

If we consider the current state of western air defences, Russia could rely on the 2008 method: take a Mi-8 with special forces and land in close proximity to the air defence system and kick the asses of the poor soldiers sitting inside of them.

Import of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine in 2014-2021

The website of the Russia in Global Affairs magazine published the material by Natalya Pechorina and Andrei Frolov “War under International Contracts. Import of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine in 2014-2021 ” , which states that neither foreign military aid, nor direct purchases give Ukraine anything other than new linked arms loans for its acquisition. Likewise, American military aid is not a “signal to Russia,” but a series of enslaving deals for Ukraine that strengthen its dependence on the United States and contribute very little to strengthening the Ukrainian army.

Full article: https://bmpd-livejournal-com.translate.goog/4420116.html?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=nui

Podolyaka told what is the real number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and whether it can reach 1 million people

A number of military correspondents believe that Kyiv, if necessary, can put 1 or even 2 million people under arms. Thus, the idea is given that the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not very important and do not affect the combat capability and strength of the Ukrainian armed forces. However, according to journalist and blogger Yuriy Podolyaka, things are not so rosy for Kyiv.

According to Volodymyr Zelensky, the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is currently 700 thousand people and, if necessary, it can easily be increased to 1 million. But, Podolyaka believes, in this case it is strange why the Ukrainian president has not soldiers would achieve impressive military victories.

Meanwhile, the actual number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is less than 700,000 soldiers, since this number includes servicemen who are not directly involved in hostilities. Thus, the number of VVSU is about 50 thousand people, most of whom are in the rear. There are about 20 thousand people in the Ukrainian Navy, but only the 35th and 36th marine brigades and several reconnaissance battalions are actually fighting - about 5-6 thousand people in total.

60,000 people serve in the national guard across the state. So far, only three brigades are involved at the front, which is less than 10 thousand soldiers. The rest do not take part in hostilities, since this includes those who guard prisons, nuclear power plants and other important facilities.

According to Yuriy Podolyaka, together with artillery and other brigades, the number of Ukrainian servicemen involved in the front is about 300,000 people. They are opposed by about 200 thousand with a small number of allied troops.

The enemy has a numerical superiority, but it is not as overwhelming as many military correspondents write about it - the expert noted in the video on his Rutube channel.

Moreover, Podolyaka is sure, the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is gradually decreasing and by winter it is possible to achieve full parity.

https://topcor-ru.translate.goog/27869-podoljaka-rasskazal-kakova-realnaja-chislennost-vsu-i-mozhet-li-ona-sostavit-1-mln-chelovek.html?utm_source=warfiles.ru&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

NOTE: a reminder of those recently "leaked" documents in which it was complained that force strength was only 43-48% of authorized.

https://twitter.com/MNormanDavies/status/1569984150438027270/photo/1

Nice map with the Ukrainian combat units and home bases.


https://twitter.com/MNormanDavies/status/1569984150438027270

UKRAINE'S MILITARY CRISIS: an Order of Battle study #RussiaUkraineWar

How did Russia's army, with far fewer deployed troops than Ukraine's, expand territorial dominance in Ukraine far greater than it had on 24 February?

Short answer?

Ukraine’s army was too big for its boots

Thread by Matt Davies on this subject. Not sure if I agree with all but I liked the map.

Baron of the Taiga
@baronitaigas
·
1h
: Odessa authorities announced that electricity was unlikely to be restored in the city for the next 2 to 3 months. Residents are encouraged to move to other areas.


EDIt: More info

   There may be no electricity for two-three months in the Odessa region, according to authorities.

   The Department of Life Support Systems and Energy Efficiency of the Odessa Region State Administration has made a disappointing forecast on electricity restoration in the region.

   "According to preliminary forecasts, the restoration of energy facilities in the Odessa region will take much longer than in previous times after enemy shelling," "It's not a matter of days, but even weeks, and we haven't ruled out 2–3 months," as reported on the Facebook page.


https://t.me/Slavyangrad/24431

KYIV, Dec 10 (Reuters) - All non-critical infrastructure in the Ukrainian port of Odesa was without power after Russia used Iranian-made drones to hit two energy facilities, leaving 1.5 million people without power, officials said on Saturday.

"The situation in the Odesa region is very difficult," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

"Unfortunately, the hits were critical, so it takes more than just time to restore electricity... It doesn't take hours, but a few days, unfortunately."

Horrific