‼️The #European Parliament, by a majority of votes, supported a resolution calling for a complete and immediate embargo on #Russian energy imports. pic.twitter.com/o5FpswJiIW

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 7, 2022

Won't happen because of Germany. Additionally:

The #EU is postponing a total ban on imports of Russian coal for a month. This decision was made due to pressure from #Germany, which is the largest importer of coal from Russia among EU countries.#UkraineRussiaWar

— SUSPILNE NEWS 📰 (@suspilne_news) April 7, 2022

German intel have communications intercepts of Russian troops in Bucha.

Quote:

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The intercepted comments now appear to completely refute Russia's denials. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the BND briefed parliamentarians on Wednesday about its findings. Some of the intercepted traffic apparently matches the locations of bodies found along the main road through town. In one of them, a soldier apparently told another that they had just shot a person on a bicycle. That corresponds to the photo of the dead body lying next to a bicycle that has been shared around the world. In another intercepted conversation, a man apparently said: First you interrogate soldiers, then you shoot them.

---

Quote:

---

The BND material also apparently provides evidence that members of the Russian mercenary unit called the Wagner Group played a leading role in the atrocities. The group is known to have perpetrated similar atrocities in Syria.

Eyewitnesses recently reported that the occupying force in Bucha was initially made up of "young soldiers." Once they were replaced by other units, the witnesses said, the attacks on civilians grew more frequent. Some eyewitnesses have said that Chechen units were in the town. The accounts raise the question as to whether this progression was part of the occupation plan.

The radio traffic intercepted by the BND makes it seem as though the atrocities perpetrated on civilians in Bucha were neither random acts nor the product of individual soldiers who got out of hand. Rather, say sources familiar with the audio, the material suggests that the troops spoke of the atrocities as though they were simply discussing their everyday lives.

---

Link

aggiehawg said:

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German intel have communications intercepts of Russian troops in Bucha.

Quote:

---

The intercepted comments now appear to completely refute Russia's denials. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the BND briefed parliamentarians on Wednesday about its findings. Some of the intercepted traffic apparently matches the locations of bodies found along the main road through town. In one of them, a soldier apparently told another that they had just shot a person on a bicycle. That corresponds to the photo of the dead body lying next to a bicycle that has been shared around the world. In another intercepted conversation, a man apparently said: First you interrogate soldiers, then you shoot them.

---

Quote:

---

The BND material also apparently provides evidence that members of the Russian mercenary unit called the Wagner Group played a leading role in the atrocities. The group is known to have perpetrated similar atrocities in Syria.

Eyewitnesses recently reported that the occupying force in Bucha was initially made up of "young soldiers." Once they were replaced by other units, the witnesses said, the attacks on civilians grew more frequent. Some eyewitnesses have said that Chechen units were in the town. The accounts raise the question as to whether this progression was part of the occupation plan.

The radio traffic intercepted by the BND makes it seem as though the atrocities perpetrated on civilians in Bucha were neither random acts nor the product of individual soldiers who got out of hand. Rather, say sources familiar with the audio, the material suggests that the troops spoke of the atrocities as though they were simply discussing their everyday lives.

---

Link

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Hell isn't good enough for those who did those things, or ordered them. Eff Putin.

Blackbeard94 said:

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JB!98 said:

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Rossticus said:

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Speaking of Ukrainian artillery…

Since no one has mentioned this so far:

Ukraine's artillery is using the 152 mm semi-active laser guided 𝘒𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘪𝘬 artillery ammunition to hit these russian vehicles.pic.twitter.com/ZQVHNec76i

— Thomas C. Theiner (@noclador) April 1, 2022

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Nice.

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This is cool! Does a forward observer or drine have to illuminate the target with a laser to guide the munition and in?

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I'm wondering the same. The Lasers were bulky ask heck 20 years ago. I have no idea what they look like now. We even had them on top of tracked vehicles (M113) which was a waste considering how quickly the technology improved. Fun to drive around the Hood though!

ABATTBQ11 said:

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It is the regular Russian army committing atrocities and war crimes. They're not, "boys," they're murderers and should be treated as such.

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This is what a utter failure of leadership, discipline, and training looks like

They appear to be using a drone to laser designate for the guided artillery. Much more cost effective than using much bigger drones to carry guided missiles.

aggiehawg said:

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German intel have communications intercepts of Russian troops in Bucha.

Quote:

---

The intercepted comments now appear to completely refute Russia's denials. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the BND briefed parliamentarians on Wednesday about its findings. Some of the intercepted traffic apparently matches the locations of bodies found along the main road through town. In one of them, a soldier apparently told another that they had just shot a person on a bicycle. That corresponds to the photo of the dead body lying next to a bicycle that has been shared around the world. In another intercepted conversation, a man apparently said: First you interrogate soldiers, then you shoot them.

---

Quote:

---

The BND material also apparently provides evidence that members of the Russian mercenary unit called the Wagner Group played a leading role in the atrocities. The group is known to have perpetrated similar atrocities in Syria.

Eyewitnesses recently reported that the occupying force in Bucha was initially made up of "young soldiers." Once they were replaced by other units, the witnesses said, the attacks on civilians grew more frequent. Some eyewitnesses have said that Chechen units were in the town. The accounts raise the question as to whether this progression was part of the occupation plan.

The radio traffic intercepted by the BND makes it seem as though the atrocities perpetrated on civilians in Bucha were neither random acts nor the product of individual soldiers who got out of hand. Rather, say sources familiar with the audio, the material suggests that the troops spoke of the atrocities as though they were simply discussing their everyday lives.

---

Link

---

Seems like Germany is putting itself into a conundrum here. Not sure what to think.

Refuses to back away from taking Russian energy (understandable considering it would completely stop the country from functioning) yet reports war crimes by the very country it's beholden to.

YouBet said:

---

aggiehawg said:

---

German intel have communications intercepts of Russian troops in Bucha.

Quote:

---

The intercepted comments now appear to completely refute Russia's denials. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the BND briefed parliamentarians on Wednesday about its findings. Some of the intercepted traffic apparently matches the locations of bodies found along the main road through town. In one of them, a soldier apparently told another that they had just shot a person on a bicycle. That corresponds to the photo of the dead body lying next to a bicycle that has been shared around the world. In another intercepted conversation, a man apparently said: First you interrogate soldiers, then you shoot them.

---

Quote:

---

The BND material also apparently provides evidence that members of the Russian mercenary unit called the Wagner Group played a leading role in the atrocities. The group is known to have perpetrated similar atrocities in Syria.

Eyewitnesses recently reported that the occupying force in Bucha was initially made up of "young soldiers." Once they were replaced by other units, the witnesses said, the attacks on civilians grew more frequent. Some eyewitnesses have said that Chechen units were in the town. The accounts raise the question as to whether this progression was part of the occupation plan.

The radio traffic intercepted by the BND makes it seem as though the atrocities perpetrated on civilians in Bucha were neither random acts nor the product of individual soldiers who got out of hand. Rather, say sources familiar with the audio, the material suggests that the troops spoke of the atrocities as though they were simply discussing their everyday lives.

---

Link

---

Seems like Germany is putting itself into a conundrum here. Not sure what to think.

Refuses to back away from taking Russian energy (understandable considering it would completely stop the country from functioning) yet reports war crimes by the very country it's beholden to.

---

They're beholden to Russia, but reporting the war crimes potentially could motivate someone to get rid of Putin. Conundrum disappears for Germany if someone finally steps up.

Quote:

---

Seems like Germany is putting itself into a conundrum here. Not sure what to think.

Refuses to back away from taking Russian energy (understandable considering it would completely stop the country from functioning) yet reports war crimes by the very country it's beholden to.

---

I think they are cooperating in a larger sense so that it is not just Ukraine and the US making the accusations of war crimes.

There are a crap ton of surveillance birds up there in the border regions and dedicated people on the ground listening in to Russian insecure comms. Like I said when Russia first denied it, just too much surveillance happening by several nations for their denials to be remotely credible.

YouBet said:

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aggiehawg said:

---

German intel have communications intercepts of Russian troops in Bucha.

Quote:

---

The intercepted comments now appear to completely refute Russia's denials. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the BND briefed parliamentarians on Wednesday about its findings. Some of the intercepted traffic apparently matches the locations of bodies found along the main road through town. In one of them, a soldier apparently told another that they had just shot a person on a bicycle. That corresponds to the photo of the dead body lying next to a bicycle that has been shared around the world. In another intercepted conversation, a man apparently said: First you interrogate soldiers, then you shoot them.

---

Quote:

---

The BND material also apparently provides evidence that members of the Russian mercenary unit called the Wagner Group played a leading role in the atrocities. The group is known to have perpetrated similar atrocities in Syria.

Eyewitnesses recently reported that the occupying force in Bucha was initially made up of "young soldiers." Once they were replaced by other units, the witnesses said, the attacks on civilians grew more frequent. Some eyewitnesses have said that Chechen units were in the town. The accounts raise the question as to whether this progression was part of the occupation plan.

The radio traffic intercepted by the BND makes it seem as though the atrocities perpetrated on civilians in Bucha were neither random acts nor the product of individual soldiers who got out of hand. Rather, say sources familiar with the audio, the material suggests that the troops spoke of the atrocities as though they were simply discussing their everyday lives.

---

Link

---

Seems like Germany is putting itself into a conundrum here. Not sure what to think.

Refuses to back away from taking Russian energy (understandable considering it would completely stop the country from functioning) yet reports war crimes by the very country it's beholden to.

---

Germany isn't "refusing" but is caught between a rock and a hard place. It's a predicament of its own making, for sure, but that doesn't change the economic consequences of abruptly cutting off Russian energy. In the meantime, here's what Berlin plans:

"By the middle of the year, Russian oil imports to Germany are expected to be halved. By the end of the year, we aim to be almost independent," a document published by the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action said. The plan also calls for coal deliveries from Russia to end by the autumn.

Habeck confirmed that current contracts with Russian companies to import energy will not be renewed. He also acknowledged that Germany would only be able to wean itself off Russian gas deliveries by mid-2024."

That's not "immediate", but it still represents a big economic hit to Russia on a short timeline. Further on the upside, the weaning process is already underway, with Russian gas imports expected to drop by two-thirds by the end of '22.

Overall, Germany is acting quicker to eliminate Russian energy imports than the recently enacted EU energy plan calls for.

WEANING

mickeyrig06sq3 said:

---

YouBet said:

---

aggiehawg said:

---

German intel have communications intercepts of Russian troops in Bucha.

Quote:

---

The intercepted comments now appear to completely refute Russia's denials. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the BND briefed parliamentarians on Wednesday about its findings. Some of the intercepted traffic apparently matches the locations of bodies found along the main road through town. In one of them, a soldier apparently told another that they had just shot a person on a bicycle. That corresponds to the photo of the dead body lying next to a bicycle that has been shared around the world. In another intercepted conversation, a man apparently said: First you interrogate soldiers, then you shoot them.

---

Quote:

---

The BND material also apparently provides evidence that members of the Russian mercenary unit called the Wagner Group played a leading role in the atrocities. The group is known to have perpetrated similar atrocities in Syria.

Eyewitnesses recently reported that the occupying force in Bucha was initially made up of "young soldiers." Once they were replaced by other units, the witnesses said, the attacks on civilians grew more frequent. Some eyewitnesses have said that Chechen units were in the town. The accounts raise the question as to whether this progression was part of the occupation plan.

The radio traffic intercepted by the BND makes it seem as though the atrocities perpetrated on civilians in Bucha were neither random acts nor the product of individual soldiers who got out of hand. Rather, say sources familiar with the audio, the material suggests that the troops spoke of the atrocities as though they were simply discussing their everyday lives.

---

Link

---

Seems like Germany is putting itself into a conundrum here. Not sure what to think.

Refuses to back away from taking Russian energy (understandable considering it would completely stop the country from functioning) yet reports war crimes by the very country it's beholden to.

---

They're beholden to Russia, but reporting the war crimes potentially could motivate someone to get rid of Putin. Conundrum disappears for Germany if someone finally steps up.

---

Germany also gets to pay discounted rates for energy if they can help make Russia toxic to the broader market, driving down demand for their products.

Don't think Germany isn't operating in their own interests

More details from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine:

Mountain infantry from the 128th Transcarpathian Brigade attacked the Russian invaders 6-10 km from Kreminna.

The Ukrainians attacked the weak Russian reserve and relieved Rubizhne with this action.https://t.co/lE0pnT3d8R

— Michael MacKay (@mhmck) April 7, 2022

This is utterly heartbreaking. I genuinely hope this is staged because the alternative is awful to contemplate.

Svitlana Samarska wrote: You have already heard this story. A woman who died of starvation is buried here. This photo of the same grave of another photographer appeared yesterday.
He saw her six-year-old son bring juice and canned food to the grave.
This is unbearable. pic.twitter.com/haHo6YSkPN

— Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) April 6, 2022

74OA said:

---

YouBet said:

---

aggiehawg said:

---

German intel have communications intercepts of Russian troops in Bucha.

Quote:

---

The intercepted comments now appear to completely refute Russia's denials. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the BND briefed parliamentarians on Wednesday about its findings. Some of the intercepted traffic apparently matches the locations of bodies found along the main road through town. In one of them, a soldier apparently told another that they had just shot a person on a bicycle. That corresponds to the photo of the dead body lying next to a bicycle that has been shared around the world. In another intercepted conversation, a man apparently said: First you interrogate soldiers, then you shoot them.

---

Quote:

---

The BND material also apparently provides evidence that members of the Russian mercenary unit called the Wagner Group played a leading role in the atrocities. The group is known to have perpetrated similar atrocities in Syria.

Eyewitnesses recently reported that the occupying force in Bucha was initially made up of "young soldiers." Once they were replaced by other units, the witnesses said, the attacks on civilians grew more frequent. Some eyewitnesses have said that Chechen units were in the town. The accounts raise the question as to whether this progression was part of the occupation plan.

The radio traffic intercepted by the BND makes it seem as though the atrocities perpetrated on civilians in Bucha were neither random acts nor the product of individual soldiers who got out of hand. Rather, say sources familiar with the audio, the material suggests that the troops spoke of the atrocities as though they were simply discussing their everyday lives.

---

Link

---

Seems like Germany is putting itself into a conundrum here. Not sure what to think.

Refuses to back away from taking Russian energy (understandable considering it would completely stop the country from functioning) yet reports war crimes by the very country it's beholden to.

---

Germany isn't "refusing" but is caught between a rock and a hard place. It's a predicament of its own making, for sure, but that doesn't change the economic consequences of abruptly cutting off Russian energy. In the meantime, here's what Berlin plans:

"By the middle of the year, Russian oil imports to Germany are expected to be halved. By the end of the year, we aim to be almost independent," a document published by the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action said. The plan also calls for coal deliveries from Russia to end by the autumn.

Habeck confirmed that current contracts with Russian companies to import energy will not be renewed. He also acknowledged that Germany would only be able to wean itself off Russian gas deliveries by mid-2024."

That's not "immediate", but it still represents a big economic hit to Russia on a short timeline. Further on the upside, the weaning process is already underway, with Russian gas imports expected to drop by two-thirds by the end of '22.

Overall, Germany is acting quicker to eliminate Russian energy imports than the recently enacted EU energy plan calls for.

WEANING

---

Yeah, I understand all that because I was a bit incredulous at others who were frothing at the mouth that Germany needed to suspend everything right now. That would have been suicide and had halo impacts to other EU countries. Really dumb emotional knee jerking. All they can do is wean off of it.

Doesn't change the fact that Germany was led by morons in Merkel. New guy has an excellent opportunity to restore sanity to that country if he simply uses common sense. Sounds like he's moving that direction. My statement on them "refusing" was meant more as "they can't right now" because of what I just said. It will take time.

At what point will the West be unable to send armor to Ukraine that is old Soviet equipment? All the countries that are sending it are sending based on the principle that the US will be able to backfill that equipment. Does the US have that much old equipment in inventory?

Also, if the war in eastern Ukraine stalemates for months/years, is there any new platforms the West could train the Ukrainians in that time on?

EastSideAg2002 said:

---

At what point will the West be unable to send armor to Ukraine that is old Soviet equipment? All the countries that are sending it are sending based on the principle that the US will be able to backfill that equipment. Does the US have that much old equipment in inventory?

Also, if the war in eastern Ukraine stalemates for months/years, is there any new platforms the West could train the Ukrainians in that time on?

---

I read somewhere that we have 3,000 M1A1 tanks stored somewhere with no plans to use them again.

Regarding the 2nd question, I can't see this going on beyond another couple of months at the rate Russia is losing equipment. Russia can't build anymore tanks right now, and they will not be able to continue to maintain alot of their other equipment very soon due to the lack of available spare parts. With the Ukes getting a steady supply of guided munitions and gaining experience with the systems, they are going to become more, not less lethal as a fighting force. If the war stalemates and the Russians are forced to dig in and stay stationary, they will be sitting ducks for Uke artillery and drone strikes. My opinion is that this is over in 3 months or less one way or another.

74OA said:

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UN drops Russia from human rights council. Symbolic, but nonetheless important.

Discouraging how many cowardly abstentions, though.

GONE

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They've got a lot more members of that council that need to go.

74OA said:

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Germany isn't "refusing" but is caught between a rock and a hard place. It's a predicament of its own making, for sure, but that doesn't change the economic consequences of abruptly cutting off Russian energy. In the meantime, here's what Berlin plans:

---

Germany literally wrote multiple hot checks, got caught, and now wants leniency. No sympathy. .

Ags4DaWin said:

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mickeyrig06sq3 said:

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74OA said:

---

UN drops Russia from human rights council. Symbolic, but nonetheless important.

Discouraging how many cowardly abstentions, though.

GONE

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They've got a lot more members of that council that need to go.

---

When you members like Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Cuba, Venezuela, and China.

Its not really a human rights council.

---

Depends on how you look at it. Some members look at the grievances investigated as things that need to be solved for the betterment of humantity. Some look at them as how-to manuals.

txags92 said:

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EastSideAg2002 said:

---

At what point will the West be unable to send armor to Ukraine that is old Soviet equipment? All the countries that are sending it are sending based on the principle that the US will be able to backfill that equipment. Does the US have that much old equipment in inventory?

Also, if the war in eastern Ukraine stalemates for months/years, is there any new platforms the West could train the Ukrainians in that time on?

---

I read somewhere that we have 3,000 M1A1 tanks stored somewhere with no plans to use them again.

Regarding the 2nd question, I can't see this going on beyond another couple of months at the rate Russia is losing equipment. Russia can't build anymore tanks right now, and they will not be able to continue to maintain alot of their other equipment very soon due to the lack of available spare parts. With the Ukes getting a steady supply of guided munitions and gaining experience with the systems, they are going to become more, not less lethal as a fighting force. If the war stalemates and the Russians are forced to dig in and stay stationary, they will be sitting ducks for Uke artillery and drone strikes. My opinion is that this is over in 3 months or less one way or another.

---

This. Russian capabilities are degrading as Ukrainians' are increasing. The longer this goes on, the faster the Russians will lose men and equipment as the disparity grows. Their planned offensive in the east may be their undoing. Everyone knows it's coming, and they're likely going to be at a huge disadvantage walking into a minefield of ambushes.

ABATTBQ11 said:

---

txags92 said:

---

EastSideAg2002 said:

---

At what point will the West be unable to send armor to Ukraine that is old Soviet equipment? All the countries that are sending it are sending based on the principle that the US will be able to backfill that equipment. Does the US have that much old equipment in inventory?

Also, if the war in eastern Ukraine stalemates for months/years, is there any new platforms the West could train the Ukrainians in that time on?

---

I read somewhere that we have 3,000 M1A1 tanks stored somewhere with no plans to use them again.

Regarding the 2nd question, I can't see this going on beyond another couple of months at the rate Russia is losing equipment. Russia can't build anymore tanks right now, and they will not be able to continue to maintain alot of their other equipment very soon due to the lack of available spare parts. With the Ukes getting a steady supply of guided munitions and gaining experience with the systems, they are going to become more, not less lethal as a fighting force. If the war stalemates and the Russians are forced to dig in and stay stationary, they will be sitting ducks for Uke artillery and drone strikes. My opinion is that this is over in 3 months or less one way or another.

---

This. Russian capabilities are degrading as Ukrainians' are increasing. The longer this goes on, the faster the Russians will lose men and equipment as the disparity grows. Their planned offensive in the east may be their undoing. Everyone knows it's coming, and they're likely going to be at a huge disadvantage walking into a minefield of ambushes.

---

If they have half a brain, it won't be from the east. The east will actually be the great feint they lied about Kiev. It will be a penser from the northeast and southeast to encircle the eastern portion of the county. Then hit Kiev again from the north and east.

Yes, every day this goes on Ukraine re-arms. The reality is they only have so many professional soldiers and every day that number drops. Russia is will to throw fodder to absorb munitions. Ukraine can't.

If Ukraine can't push them out in the next month, the war of attrition starts to make long term success much more difficult unless Poland, a coalition of ex-soviet countries, or NATO put boots on the ground.

ABATTBQ11 said:

---

txags92 said:

---

EastSideAg2002 said:

---

At what point will the West be unable to send armor to Ukraine that is old Soviet equipment? All the countries that are sending it are sending based on the principle that the US will be able to backfill that equipment. Does the US have that much old equipment in inventory?

Also, if the war in eastern Ukraine stalemates for months/years, is there any new platforms the West could train the Ukrainians in that time on?

---

I read somewhere that we have 3,000 M1A1 tanks stored somewhere with no plans to use them again.

Regarding the 2nd question, I can't see this going on beyond another couple of months at the rate Russia is losing equipment. Russia can't build anymore tanks right now, and they will not be able to continue to maintain alot of their other equipment very soon due to the lack of available spare parts. With the Ukes getting a steady supply of guided munitions and gaining experience with the systems, they are going to become more, not less lethal as a fighting force. If the war stalemates and the Russians are forced to dig in and stay stationary, they will be sitting ducks for Uke artillery and drone strikes. My opinion is that this is over in 3 months or less one way or another.

---

This. Russian capabilities are degrading as Ukrainians' are increasing. The longer this goes on, the faster the Russians will lose men and equipment as the disparity grows. Their planned offensive in the east may be their undoing. Everyone knows it's coming, and they're likely going to be at a huge disadvantage walking into a minefield of ambushes.

---

It will also depend on how aggressively each side tries to move forward. If the Russians largely dig in and then use smaller "target of opportunity" attacks to try to "fill in the gaps" across the Donbas, it will be harder for Ukraine to regain much territory. But if the Russians do the Russian thing and try to make a big massed push towards Odessa, they will take heavy losses, because everybody will see it coming and the Ukrainians will have plenty of time to consult with their intelligence providers and plan appropriate ways to defend. On the other hand, if the Ukrainians go on the offensive and try to retake large areas, their losses will go up significantly if they are attacking prepared Russian defensive positions.

AgLA06 said:

---

ABATTBQ11 said:

---

txags92 said:

---

EastSideAg2002 said:

---

At what point will the West be unable to send armor to Ukraine that is old Soviet equipment? All the countries that are sending it are sending based on the principle that the US will be able to backfill that equipment. Does the US have that much old equipment in inventory?

Also, if the war in eastern Ukraine stalemates for months/years, is there any new platforms the West could train the Ukrainians in that time on?

---

I read somewhere that we have 3,000 M1A1 tanks stored somewhere with no plans to use them again.

Regarding the 2nd question, I can't see this going on beyond another couple of months at the rate Russia is losing equipment. Russia can't build anymore tanks right now, and they will not be able to continue to maintain alot of their other equipment very soon due to the lack of available spare parts. With the Ukes getting a steady supply of guided munitions and gaining experience with the systems, they are going to become more, not less lethal as a fighting force. If the war stalemates and the Russians are forced to dig in and stay stationary, they will be sitting ducks for Uke artillery and drone strikes. My opinion is that this is over in 3 months or less one way or another.

---

This. Russian capabilities are degrading as Ukrainians' are increasing. The longer this goes on, the faster the Russians will lose men and equipment as the disparity grows. Their planned offensive in the east may be their undoing. Everyone knows it's coming, and they're likely going to be at a huge disadvantage walking into a minefield of ambushes.

---

If they have half a brain, it won't be from the east. The east will actually be the great feint they lied about Kiev. It will be a penser from the northeast and southeast to encircle the eastern portion of the county. Then hit Kiev again from the north and east.

Yes, every day this goes on Ukraine re-arms. The reality is they only have so many professional soldiers and every day that number drops. Russia is will to throw fodder to absorb munitions. Ukraine can't.

If Ukraine can't push them out in the next month, the war of attrition starts to make long term success much more difficult unless Poland, a coalition of ex-soviet countries, or NATO put boots on the ground.

---

If they do have anything more than half a brain, they haven't shown it yet in their operational planning and execution.

74OA said:

---

UN drops Russia from human rights council. Symbolic, but nonetheless important.

Discouraging how many cowardly abstentions, though.

GONE

---

Symbolic, sure, but it reinforces the image that Putin's Russia is nothing but a tin-pot dictatorship run sh*thole country that doesn't deserve to be thought of as anything but.

So far Ukraine has been really smart. I expect them to continue that. If the Russians choose to stay put, I don't see the Ukrainians mounting a massive assault, but rather chipping away at the Russians with artillery and drone strikes while attempting to remain out of harm's way.

I think the Russians will do the Russian thing though. They need to satisfy their egos and show the world how powerful they really are, and a full frontal assault in the east is the only way to do that. They've also backed themselves into a corner, pulling out of the north and saying their objectives were complete and now it's all about the Donbass. They can always backtrack there, too, but they risk appearing wishy-washy.

We shouldn't expect anything different.
This all makes one wonder how they managed to defeat Germany in WWII. I guess if you have a large population to serve as cannon fodder, you can win by brute force.

President Lukashenko might have just really Screwed Up here, certain Countries would be much more inclined to get involved in the Ukrainian War directly if they know Belarus has Forces in the Country, he has been very carful about what he has said so far so this is very strange. https://t.co/07IKsts4SD

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 7, 2022

Quote:

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Ukraine has received about 25,000 anti-aircraft weapons systems from the United States and its allies, helping Kyiv prevent Russia from establishing air superiority that would have aided Moscow's ground invasion, the top U.S. general said on Thursday.

Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the United States and its allies had also supplied Ukraine with 60,000 anti-tank systems.

---

REUTERS