Russia Masses Military Equipment Near Ukraine Borders: A Prologue to WWIII?

[ExpandMyMind]

 

Today is a bad day for the Russians.

 

 

 

 

[ExpandMyMind]

 

[Occult1]

39 minutes ago, AlonaLameDeer said:

No one here mentioned Biden...
He's not the one attacking a nation and ordering war crimes.
Why did you even mention him? (Ya I know Deflection from a weak argument)

Why don't you go into the Donbass, spend a few months there. Learn the Russian language, speak to the locals, learn about what they've gone through over the last 8 years and the hell unleashed unto them by the Ukrainian regime. No doubt your perspective will change.  I mean you're young, a student if I'm not mistaken so it would be a life-changing experience for you. A reality check. Because right now you are just buying into the U.S./NATO propaganda, you believe all the lies coming straight from the Biden/Johnson offices. Or at the very least go on YouTube and watch the ''Donbass Insider'' channel and learn about what's really happening on the ground.

Edited April 20, 2022 by Occult1

[ExpandMyMind]

4 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

Why don't you go into the Donbass, spend a few months there.

They can meet you for a pint.

[AlonaLameDeer]

32 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

Why don't you go into the Donbass, spend a few months there. Learn the Russian language, speak to the locals, learn about what they've gone through over the last 8 years and the hell unleashed unto them by the Ukrainian regime. No doubt your perspective will change.  I mean you're young, a student if I'm not mistaken so it would be a life-changing experience for you. A reality check. Because right now you are just buying into the U.S./NATO propaganda, you believe all the lies coming straight from the Biden/Johnson offices. Or at the very least go on YouTube and watch the ''Donbass Insider'' channel and learn about what's really happening on the ground.

I actually currently make a living as a hunter/trapper...
I'm Getting reedy to be a student...
Also side note, I'm deaf so.. The learning to speak language not so much.

Also would love to..
Unfortunately there is a bit of a Unprovoked Russian Invasion going on at the moment.
I have no idea what your on about, however... I believe you were the one crying a little bit ago about the back and forth getting person?
You want to make this personal again? I can do that if it's what you want to do, if you are having problems actually discussing the matter at hand...

Edited April 20, 2022 by AlonaLameDeer

[Likely Guy]

1 hour ago, Occult1 said:

Why don't you go into the Donbass, spend a few months there.

Have you?

[+and-then]

20 hours ago, Occult1 said:

I consider Eastern Ukraine already lost. Soon the most experienced Ukrainian soldiers will be encircled and cut off with no possibility of reinforcement which would be a devastating blow for the Ukrainian government. If Western advisors to Zelensky had any sense left, they would tell him to retreat it's forces from Eastern Ukraine now and defend Kyiv instead. Putin has checkmated Zelensky on this one... Only fools continue to play when the game is over.

I note that you are unwilling to answer a very clear and concise question.

[Setton]

14 minutes ago, Likely Guy said:

Have you?

Think he arrived around 24 February 

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

I’m sorry, but I keep reading “Donbass” as “Dumbass”. 
Speaks more to the nature of the reader I expect. 

[AlonaLameDeer]

4 hours ago, Cookie Monster said:

Because strategically its impossible to defend.

NATO needs to focus on where it can win and help Ukraine which means going in and taking everywhere Russia hasn`t grabbed.

They seam to be doing a pretty reasonable job at defending it.
Also if it's "Impossible to defend"
Then, Ukraine will just take it back... "War is over" takes both sides in a conflict to agree to.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

3 hours ago, ExpandMyMind said:

 

Today is a bad day for the Russians.

 

 

 

 

I’m sure we’ll be reassured that that’s all unfounded propaganda.

[Occult1]

Russia now controls 80% of Luhansk region in Donbass – Ukraine

''The Luhansk governor has said Russian forces now control 80 percent of the region, which is one of two regions that make up the Donbass in eastern Ukraine.

One of Russia's stated goals is to expand the territory in the Donbass under the control of Moscow-backed separatists. Before Russia's assault on February 24, Kiev controlled 60 percent of the Luhansk region.

Governor Serhiy Haidai said the Russians, who renewed their offensive this week in eastern and southern Ukraine, have strengthened their attacks in the Luhansk region.''

https://www.trtworld.com/europe/live-blog-russia-now-controls-80-of-luhansk-region-in-donbass-ukraine-56528

[Tatetopa]

3 hours ago, Occult1 said:

One of Russia's stated goals is to expand the territory in the Donbass under the control of Moscow-backed separatists.

Kinda says it all doesn't it?

[DarkHunter]

Putin has called off the assault on the Azovstal Steel Works and has instead opted for sieging the facility.  Also according to Putin 2,000 Ukranian soldiers are in the Azovstal Steel Works.

There has been suspicion that the assault on Mariupol has been particularly bloody for the Russians and not going for another assault on what is essentially a modern fortress does seem to back those suspicions along with suggesting that casualties are starting to be felt by the Russian military.

The 2,000 soldier remark is also rather interesting.  It was reported recently by Ukraine that the soldiers at the Azovstal Steel Works fought a breakout action to rescue 500 soldiers trapped in the port who were running low on ammunition.  There is some non-insignificant amount of Ukranian soldiers in Azovstal Steel Works.  Its important to point out how at the start of the siege of Mariupol there was approximately 3,500 Ukranian soldiers in Mariupol for defense.  About 50 or so days into a siege with 3,500 soldiers trying to hold a city against approximately 14,000 Russian soldiers who were frequently reinforced with new troops does suggest that given the circumstances Ukranian casualties while high arent as high as would be expected.

Approximately two weeks ago a Ukranian helicopter was shot down carrying out wounded soldiers from Mariupol and a day or two ago a video was released from the Azov battalion that showed them using a MATADOR, essentially an anti-tank weapon for those who dont know what it is.  The significance of the MATADOR is the mere fact that Azov had one inside of Mariupol as Germany is the only one supplying them to Ukraine and the first shipment for them didnt leave Germany till the end of March, well into the siege of Mariupol.  It seems safe to say that up until at minimum the end of March/start of April the Ukranian military has been able to resupply the units inside of Mariupol.  

The Azovstal Steel Works is rumored to have miles of tunnels creating an expansive series of catacombs beneath the facility.  Given the length of the siege and knowledge that Azovstal Steel Works was always going to be the Ukranian defenders final bastion I would not be surprised if tunnels havent been expanded either recently or over the course of the previous 8 years to allow multiple secretive entrances into Azovstal Steel Works through the system of tunnels.  If would allow the Ukranian defenders ease of bringing in supplies and help explain videos and pictures of Ukranian soldiers doing attacks decently outside the parameter of Azovstal Steel Works.

Seems like it will be a good bit longer before Russia is able to fully claim Mariupol, assuming they even fully claim it.  If the offensive in the Donbas fails or if the Ukranian military breaks the Russian defenses at Kherson there is a legitimate risk the Ukranian military will be able to reach Mariupol and break the siege.

[+razman]

Yea , taking it is one thing and holding and keeping it is another. Gotta be like a 24/7 job to hold onto it.

[Occult1]

5 hours ago, DarkHunter said:

Putin has called off the assault on the Azovstal Steel Works and has instead opted for sieging the facility.  Also according to Putin 2,000 Ukranian soldiers are in the Azovstal Steel Works.

There has been suspicion that the assault on Mariupol has been particularly bloody for the Russians and not going for another assault on what is essentially a modern fortress does seem to back those suspicions along with suggesting that casualties are starting to be felt by the Russian military.

Why would you risk soldiers for no reason when Ukrainian fighters have no possibility to escape? In a week or so their supply will be running so low they will be starving. They will likely come out by themselves.

There have been talks that Russia could flatten the whole complex with bunker buster bombs and such but again why would you do that? Russia already controls Mariupol.

Edited April 21, 2022 by Occult1

[Gromdor]

12 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

Why would you risk soldiers for no reason when Ukrainian fighters have no possibility to escape? In a week or so their supply will be running so low they will be starving. They will likely come out by themselves.

There have been talks that Russia could flatten the whole complex with bunker buster bombs and such but again why would you do that? Russia already controls Mariupol.

Yup. Laying siege is a useful and effective military tactic.  Waiting for your enemy to starve to death does save friendly bullets and lives.  The only cost is time.  

It will be up to the Ukrainians to try and break the siege or we might end up with another "Masada"

[DarkHunter]

7 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

Why would you risk soldiers for no reason when Ukrainian fighters have no possibility to escape? In a week or so their supply wil bel running so low they will be starving. They will likely come out by themselves.

There have been talks that Russia could flatten the whole complex with bunker buster bombs and such but again why would you do that? Russia fully controls Mariupol.

So now Russia worries about risking soldiers on unnecessary assaults but not when the siege of Mariupol started when they could of been doing essentially what they are doing now but not have completely destroyed everything of strategic value in Mariupol or of had thousands of casualties.  Russia isnt ending risking soldiers' lives cause they now care about them they are doing it cause their casualties are high and they are starting to feel the effects of running low of contract soldiers.

So far every single prediction you have made has been wrong so we will just have to see how long the Ukranian defenders will last.  There is a very real possibility they have massive stockpiles of food, water, and ammunition in the catacombs of the Azovstal Steel Works or have tunnels that allow them to covertly resupply themselves.

I know you are desperate for a Russian win but when there are approximately 2,000 enemy soldiers still resisting inside what is essentially a fortress inside the city you simply dont control the city.

[spartan max2]

20 minutes ago, Gromdor said:

Yup. Laying siege is a useful and effective military tactic.  Waiting for your enemy to starve to death does save friendly bullets and lives.  The only cost is time.  

It will be up to the Ukrainians to try and break the siege or we might end up with another "Masada"

However, the more time Ukraine has the more weapons gets funneled and distributed into the nation. So it's really a double edge blade of a tactic for Russia right now 

[DarkHunter]

America has announced how they will be sending 72 howitzers, either M198s or M777s, vehicles to tow the howitzers, and 144,000 artillery shells.  

The 72 howitzers will be enough to outfit 12 artillery brigades.

America has also announced they will be sending Ukraine a new drone, the Pheonix Ghost.  Not much is known about this drones other than it will operate similar to the switchblade.  This drone has been designed and tested specifically for Ukraine by the US airforce.  Speculation is that its essentially a switchblade drone with significant modifications done to it to better suit the needs of Ukraine's military and/or to make mass production of the drone easier.

Edited April 21, 2022 by DarkHunter

[DarkHunter]

Despite some people's claims of Ukraine's air defense being significantly degraded and Russia having total air superiority over Donbas/eastern Ukraine just today Russia has had either a Su-30 or Su-34 shot down near Izium, a Su-25 shot down in Donetsk oblast, and two helicopters, a Mi-8 and Ka-52, shot down in Zaporizhzhia oblast.

[Occult1]

58 minutes ago, Gromdor said:

Yup. Laying siege is a useful and effective military tactic.  Waiting for your enemy to starve to death does save friendly bullets and lives.  The only cost is time. 

Putin has been ordering that: ''Not even a fly comes through''.

According to a video from the Ukrainian commander, they have over 500 wounded, no water, no food, no help from anyone. No extra ammunition.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/ukrainian-marine-commander-makes-last-ditch-plea-for-evacuation-from-mariupol

Either they choose to die in horrible condition or come out and surrender.

Quote

It will be up to the Ukrainians to try and break the siege or we might end up with another "Masada"

It won't happen. If Ukraine had the resources to break through the blockade in Mariupol, they would have done it already.

Edited April 21, 2022 by Occult1

[Likely Guy]

7 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

It won't happen. If Ukraine has the resources to break through the blockade in Mariupol, they would have done it already.

And those 'resources' are daily funneling into the country.

[Occult1]

28 minutes ago, Likely Guy said:

And those 'resources' are daily funneling into the country.

Ukrainian forces have no way of breaking the siege, because they would have to cross at least 120 km (75 miles) of open terrain. They would be annihilated on the way to get there.

They also can't spare the manpower, they are much too busy defending other positions.

Edited April 21, 2022 by Occult1

[spartan max2]

45 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

Either they choose to die in horrible condition or come out and surrender.

What does it tell you about Putin that people would rather die than be ruled under him?