Russian invasion of Ukraine

[jonnysensible]

so do you people really undermine the importance of Bahkmut? I assumed if the Russians lost this one, they would essentially be a decapitated army (i.e total inhouse chaos and defeated, but still existing)

bahkmut for the russians means they can threaten Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Ukraine staying there means they can inflict heavy attrition to Russian forces and protect Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. It really isn't that important in terms of location, but its become a propaganda war.

The Russians have hyped it up and now they have to take or they do look stupid (which is a really bad way to wage a war) and they would have to take it at some point anyway.

The Ukranians don't really want to lose it for propaganda reasons, they can inflict heavy damage to whatever russia chucks in there and they are sort of saying 'we could go back to our next postions, and then if that goes badly go back to our next positions and eventually go back to kyiv...but why bother with going all the way back to kyiv why not make out stand here?'

[Flarelaine]

Beyond the propaganda value, Bakhmut is a railroad junction.

[YUPPIE]

the reason I understandably have skepticism about its supposed iffy importance is that even Ukrainian intel has stated the fighting in Bahkmut is the bloodiest and most awful for a while now, with a ridiculous mortality rate relative to elsewhere.

Why would Ukraine fight so hard for this place? I doubt they've suffered minor losses with all that's been said.

[Calfredd]

the reason I understandably

"Understandably" my butt!

[Gorsameth]

the reason I understandably have skepticism about its supposed iffy importance is that even Ukrainian intel has stated the fighting in Bahkmut is the bloodiest and most awful for a while now, with a ridiculous mortality rate relative to elsewhere.

Why would Ukraine fight so hard for this place? I doubt they've suffered minor losses with all that's been said.

your wondering why the fighting is most intense at the main pressure point of the Russian attack?

If they were not fighting this hard at Bahkmut they would be fighting this hard at whatever other point Russia chooses to attack at. The intensity wouldn't change, just the location.

[Elder Millennial]

Why would Ukraine fight so hard for this place? I doubt they've suffered minor losses with all that's been said.

Because if the Russians want to throw countless lives and endless resources into a completely meaningless objective it's convenient for the Ukrainians to fight there instead of somewhere where there's something worthwhile to lose.

Losing Bakhmut would ultimately not change anything strategically for Ukraine, on the other hand holding Bakhmut would kill countless Russians and humiliate them.

This is not rocket science, this has been repeated over and over and over and over and over again over the last 5 months. Like on what planet were you? The Russians have no greater plan here, no special strategic insight, no hidden card, nothing. They are just doing what they have been doing for the past 13 months, stupid shit.

What western commentators got wrong, again, was believing that the Russians would eventually take Bakhmut, but Ukrainians in a typical Ukrainian fashion seem to have held onto it, despite every expectation. With other words, 5 months of fighting and countless losses later, Russia once again...FAILED.

[Gabriel]

the reason I understandably have skepticism about its supposed iffy importance is that even Ukrainian intel has stated the fighting in Bahkmut is the bloodiest and most awful for a while now, with a ridiculous mortality rate relative to elsewhere.

Why would Ukraine fight so hard for this place? I doubt they've suffered minor losses with all that's been said.

Because that's where they get to kill the most russians and destroy the most russian equipment. D'uh.

[enigma77]

Because that's where they get to kill the most russians and destroy the most russian equipment. D'uh.

an honorable thing in and of itself

[Gabriel]

an honorable thing in and of itself

Let me be clear so nobody gets to bitch at me about this: I meant russian invaders. I'm not advocating for the genocide of all russians.

[Iphie]

Let me be clear so nobody gets to bitch at me about this: I meant russian invaders. I'm not advocating for the genocide of all russians.

Going soft in your old day? (DW I know you never advocated it, but I know of a fair few Finns who make no such distinction.)

[Gabriel]

Going soft in your old day? (DW I know you never advocated it, but I know of a fair few Finns who make no such distinction.)

I've been infracted for less.

[Lynarii]

I think most people would agree that any russian currently in Bahkmut is fair game. I suspect an extreme lack of peaceful civilian interaction left in that particular area.

[Kallisto]

So Prigozhin went fully against the Kremlin narrative it seems. Reporting that there's no NATO in Ukraine, no Nazis. Just Ukrainians and volunteers. Also that those in power were deluded if they ever thought NATO wouldn't supply Kyiv with weapons to defend itself.

[Veggie50]

So Prigozhin went fully against the Kremlin narrative it seems. Reporting that there's no NATO in Ukraine, no Nazis. Just Ukrainians and volunteers. Also that those in power were deluded if they ever thought NATO wouldn't supply Kyiv with weapons to defend itself.

I’ve seen this rumor, but haven’t found a primary source. Ya got some of that good stuff?

[Iphie]

I’ve seen this rumor, but haven’t found a primary source. Ya got some of that good stuff?

Let's start with these:

https://www.ukrainianworldcongress.o...is-in-ukraine/

https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/24/...nazi-narrative


(granted these are probably biased but it is out there.)

And this one:

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/st...03504932274181

[Gabriel]

Terribly sorry to hear about his upcoming accident.

The good ones always go too soon.

[Rasulis]

India complains that Russia isn't delivering weapons it owes because it's throwing everything at Ukraine

The Indian Air Force disclosed this week to its parliament that a "major delivery" contracted from Russia would not be showing up.

Nuff said.

[Edge-]

India complains that Russia isn't delivering weapons it owes because it's throwing everything at Ukraine



Nuff said.

Think Russia is offering partial refunds for delayed deliveries? I'm honestly surprised that Russia didn't sell them stripped down hardware and then blame them for losing the missing parts.

[Rasulis]

Think Russia is offering partial refunds for delayed deliveries? I'm honestly surprised that Russia didn't sell them stripped down hardware and then blame them for losing the missing parts.

I think the answer ranges from "not likely" to "when hell freezes over."

Meanwhile, Czech citizens raise €1.2m to send rocket launcher and 365 missiles to Ukraine.

Within a few weeks, a RМ-70 rocket launcher along and 365 missiles will be transferred to Ukraine from the Czech Republic. However, this is not part of and aid package from the government, but is the result of €1.2 million donations made by Czech citizens.

The launcher can fire 40 missiles in 90 seconds and can reload exceptionally quickly.

- - - Updated - - -

We'll see who will run out of artillery first.

The European Union's top diplomat says the 27-nation bloc and Norway have endorsed a fast-track procedure to supply badly-needed artillery shells to Ukraine

Borrell said that he had won approval for his proposal to provide 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to encourage member nations to provide artillery shells from their stocks and any orders for new rounds that they might have placed with industry.

A further 1 billion euros would also be used to fast-track new orders and encourage countries to work together on those purchases through the EDA or in groups of at least three nations. Germany has already called for countries to join its own effort, which Berlin believes will go faster.

The third track of the program involves support to Europe’s defense industry. so that it can ramp up production in the longer term. EU officials have said that new joint orders could be placed by May if the plan is endorsed in its entirety.

EU defense industry has lagged behind the US. This may be the shot that it needs to rejuvenate the industry.

[Deus Mortis]

India complains that Russia isn't delivering weapons it owes because it's throwing everything at Ukraine



Nuff said.

Stuff like this also has the added benefit of more and more countries turning to the US for their defensive needs, the less countries in Russia/China's sphere of influence the better. It is just staggering out badly Russia has botched this entire thing.