Ukraine conflict

Quote:

a real-life version of the 1987 hit Robocop, Ukraine’s military has already deployed 30 British-made robotic dogs for reconnaissance in combat zones against Putin’s forces. But the country’s ambitions get even more sci-fi: plans abound for a homemade ‘army of robots’ complete with AI-powered machine guns and driverless cars, reported The Daily Mail.


The BAD.2 robots are reportedly undetectable by thermal imaging, can run at 15 km/h, and have an operational range of 3.5 km. They can operate for up to five hours on a single charge. Each costs between €4,000 and €8,000.
“Army of Robots”

Quote: odiousgambit

if that is going on then I would think it is because Crimea would be hard to attack for Ukraine ... and the troops are needed for the Kursk problem ... a real embarrassment for Putin. I'd say now way they'd give up Crimea

That was my initial thought too but now I think it might be more. The number of troops leaving Crimea is significant. I haven't seen the numbers yet but I wouldn't be surprised if more than half have left. I expect Ukraine to breach Crimea by sea.

Quote:

As Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine, Kyiv has urged its allies to allow it to use long-range Western-made weapons, such as the U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike across the border. A U.S. official said the White House has no plans to alter its policy preventing the weapons’ use on targets inside Russia. 

Faced with such constraints, Kyiv has ramped up efforts to develop and deploy its own weapons. Zelensky said Tuesday that Ukraine had successfully tested a domestically produced ballistic missile, potentially enabling Kyiv to strike harder and deeper inside Russian territory

Reading between the lines, it’s quite possible Ukraine has been supplied with tools and know-how to make their own. 2nd tier stuff likely but good enough to deal with the Russians.

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Ukraine doesn't even have a prayer against Russia
the Russian military is so much more massive
I believe Putin is intent on punishing Ukraine and its civilians even more due to Ukraine's invasion into Russia
what an ***hole Putin is for invading and likely destroying that country

here are some depressing stats comparing the capabilities of these 2 countries:


Russia_______________________________________________ Ukraine


Estimated available manpower 69,432,472_________ 22,806,303
Active soldiers__ 1,320,000____________________________ 900,000
Reserve forces __2,000,000 ____________________________1,200,000
Paramilitary units__ 250,000________________________100,000
Air force - -
Total aircraft__ 4,255____________________________321
Total helicopters__ 1,547___________________________130
Fighters__ 809__________________________________ 72
Dedicated attack__ 730_______________________________30
Attack helicopters__ 559_____________________________ __ 33
Trainers ___________552______________________________ 73
Transport aircraft___ 453_______________________________24


https://www.statista.com/statistics/1296573/russia-ukraine-military-comparison/

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Quote: PotPie

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Ukraine doesn't even have a prayer against Russia
the Russian military is so much more massive
I believe Putin is intent on punishing Ukraine and its civilians even more due to Ukraine's invasion into Russia
what an ***hole Putin is for invading and likely destroying that country

here are some depressing stats comparing the capabilities of these 2 countries:


Russia_______________________________________________ Ukraine


Estimated available manpower 69,432,472_________ 22,806,303
Active soldiers__ 1,320,000____________________________ 900,000
Reserve forces __2,000,000 ____________________________1,200,000
Paramilitary units__ 250,000________________________100,000
Air force - -
Total aircraft__ 4,255____________________________321
Total helicopters__ 1,547___________________________130
Fighters__ 809__________________________________ 72
Dedicated attack__ 730_______________________________30
Attack helicopters__ 559_____________________________ __ 33
Trainers ___________552______________________________ 73
Transport aircraft___ 453_______________________________24


https://www.statista.com/statistics/1296573/russia-ukraine-military-comparison/

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Russia had overwhelming force against Afghanistan, as did we. I'm really just saying that to point out, there are always other factors at work. Russian soldiers for the most part doin't even want to be there, Ukraine is fighting for their Indpendence.

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Russia doesn't even need soldiers (or not many) to completely destroy Ukraine if they wish to, and it seems like this is what they are threatening to do

I believe they have already completely destroyed some key cities while obviously targeting civilians

they can just drop bombs, drones or whatever

I really doubt Putin will allow himself to be humiliated by being driven out of Ukraine

I just don't see it as a realistic possibility

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Quote: PotPie

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Russia doesn't even need soldiers (or not many) to completely destroy Ukraine if they wish to, and it seems like this is what they are threatening to do

I believe they have already completely destroyed some key cities while obviously targeting civilians

they can just drop bombs, drones or whatever

I really doubt Putin will allow himself to be humiliated by being driven out of Ukraine

I just don't see it as a realistic possibility

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Their bombings and drones have not been terribly effective. Don't get me wrong, Russia is still winning and claiming more land in Donbas. They are getting close to taking Pokrovsk which would be a major win for them. The taking of the Kursk region has been brilliant as a political move but meaningless militarily. Putin's strength is being slightly diminished but it will take a lot more for a coup. By the way, the U.S. does not want Putin overthrown because he is actually stable and not a huge threat. A coup will add a lot more uncertainty.

For any of you that still follow the Ukraine war, it was reported two days ago that Ukraine lost its first F-16. I thought it was strange that all of the stories were real vague. It is starting to look like Ukraine may have accidentally shot it down with one of their Patriot systems. Friendly fire is very common and more so when communications is poor.

Back when the USSR existed a lot of nukes were in Ukraine, but they gave them back to Moscow at the time of dissolution.

Why not hang on to them?

"At the time of Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine held the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world, including an estimated 1,900 strategic warheads, 176 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and 44 strategic bombers."

Quote: missedhervee

Back when the USSR existed a lot of nukes were in Ukraine, but they gave them back to Moscow at the time of dissolution.

Why not hang on to them?

Probably because they were trying to avoid Russia invading them. They know they can't use the nuclear weapons or every country in the world will be against them. Probably the same reason Russia hasn't used them.