Fake news

[ExMontpelliérain]

There have been widespread reports that a Kyiv woman downed a Russian surveillance drone with a jar of pickled cucumbers. The woman concerned has set the record straight: they were tomatoes, not cucumbers.

[Bayleaf]

I like the photo of the Russians stuck in a lift, as the electric was shut down during their attempt to reach the roof of the building. Apparently that was real!

Also, the tank being pulled away by a tractor when it ran out of fuel - and the Russian running along behind!

[Hotrodder]

https://www.ped30.com/2022/03/06/fsb-an ... a-ukraine/

Real or fake?

[exile]

You would like to think it is real and there are almost certainly elements of truth built in but I fear it is fake.

[Hotrodder]

I keep remembering back in the day when the Cold War appeared to fizzle out and people were first allowed into Russia for a nose around. Early military inspectors sent back photos of rows and rows of Russian tanks, supposedly battle ready. Nope. Only a small fraction were said to be complete and running. Russia had impoverished its people for years by spending most of the GDP on "defence" spending but a lot of the kit was rubbish. I'm wondering if their snail's pace invasion of Ukraine is another case of rubbish military equipment or simply dreadful tactics and planning. We might find out one day, but not today.

[exile]

FWIW my guess is that it is primarily as a result of poor tactical planning.

They expected a blitzkrieg attack on Ukraine taking over logistics and supply installations in days.
What they found was very different. The Ukrainians seem to have learnt what the Russians seem to have forgotten from their history against Napoleon and Hitler - namely that the countryside is vast and poorly supplied for an advancing army. So while Russia expected head on conflict with Ukrainian forces on day one, they largely retreated back to the larger towns. Yes you can refuel at Boris Vladichko's filling station in his little village but good luck with 100 trucks and armoured vehicles and 50 tanks. It is the modern day version of a scorched earth policy.

Further I think the Belarus and Russian war games that preceded the invasion will have consumed a lot of local food and fuel so re-supply has had to come from much further afield.

Then add in as you suggest that not all of the kit - including the troops themselves - may have been in prime condition and you have the first 8-9 days of invasion.

Sadly Russia will now be getting its supply lines in order and things are going to get a lot worse before there is a chance of them getting better.

[Hotrodder]

Let's hope there are some experienced military types thinking hard about what to do for the best. Sadly it will be the politicians that have the final word.

[niemeyjt]

Let's hope there are some experienced military types thinking hard about what to do for the best. Sadly it will be the politicians that have the final word.

I understood Putin does not have a big red button - it still required soldiers to actually set off a big bang - so there is hope for sanity.

[Bayleaf]

Or not?

tractortank.jpg

[ExMontpelliérain]

Or not?
tractortank.jpg

Given what NLAWs are doing to Russian tanks they’re not much of an asset!