International Russia/Ukraine Megathread V15

[Strychnine]

Ukraine deployed over 6,000 troops in the Iraq war starting in 2003.

Ukrainian involvement in the Iraq War - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Strychnine]

 

[Cid]

 

[SandisLL]

The same was said during WW1 in 1917 to early 1918. We need to understand that this is NOT a war of maneuver that the Western world has become accustomed to since WW2, this is a war of attrition where taking land is secondary to destroying the enemy's forces. Wars of attrition play out differently than we're used to, they generally become stagnant for long periods of time and look like stalemates, but once one side is critically weakened the collapse happens relatively quickly. Once again, see WW1.

The following article from the UK's Royal United Services Institute explains the above in more detail.

The Attritional Art of War: Lessons from the Russian War on Ukraine

If the West is serious about the possibility of a great power conflict, it needs to take a hard look at its capacity to wage a protracted war and to pursue a strategy focused on attrition rather than manoeuvre.

rusi.org

Well, theoretically ofc Russia with western realpolitik to support ukr in order just barely keep them alive a little bit....plus support from NK and Co for Russia....should win ....war of attrition.

However Russia does have clear political aim to incorporate these oblastjs ALL in Russian Federation de facto ....

Therefore they should move forward cos their propaganda during years now is that they should liberate these oblastjs from " ukrainian occupation.".

Therefore this will cost a lot.....if Ukr will not be stupid and install decent minefields....
Ofc if they aren't totally stupid.
Cool stuff is that mines and IEDs aren't super puper ultra high tech.....

 

[SandisLL]

There also is big difference between WW 1 1916-1917 that allies didn't had declared as aim of war to take Germany territory.... unlike 2022- till today War In Ukraine really does have clear political aim declared : as first point to take Lands.
This had been promised for public on daily basis...1100 days in row.

 

[SandisLL]

There actually 0 signs that Russia wants any ceasefire.
They are increasing usage of well trained pros.... even are using pro paratroopers and pro marines as infantry....adding guys from special task forces more and more.

They also looks that now are even more willing to risk with more valuable soldiers from their pros than earlier.
Even from " casual " soldiers - pros, looks that now more well trained and experienced are used.

That's simple sign that they badly needs to take more land...with foots on ground.
They even are increasing attempts to probe all frontline in order to determine where they might go forward easier....deliveries of transport and weaponry to dumbass area are....increasing.
--
Stuff they are telling for westerners is like wonderland cinema show fairy tales.

 

[Boxiana]

M

There actually 0 signs that Russia wants any ceasefire.
They are increasing usage of well trained pros.... even are using pro paratroopers and pro marines as infantry....adding guys from special task forces more and more.

They also looks that now are even more willing to risk with more valuable soldiers from their pros than earlier.
Even from " casual " soldiers - pros, looks that now more well trained and experienced are used.

That's simple sign that they badly needs to take more land...with foots on ground.
They even are increasing attempts to probe all frontline in order to determine where they might go forward easier....deliveries of transport and weaponry to dumbass area are....increasing.
--
Stuff they are telling for westerners is like wonderland cinema show fairy tales.

I think Donald is going to get played here.

Russia will only agree to a ceasefire if they can use it to their advantage. Then they’ll find an excuse to break it (false flag?) and we’ll be back where we started but with even less trust between the parties.

 

[SandisLL]

M

I think Donald is going to get played here.

Russia will only agree to a ceasefire if they can use it to their advantage. Then they’ll find an excuse to break it (false flag?) and we’ll be back where we started but with even less trust between the parties.

Most likely.

BTW Lavrov is demanding stuff even not doable for MAGA reps.
1. Ofc Trump not likely cares who will control some areas in Ukraine de facto. Especially cos Putin too is offering minerals deals.
2. However they are demanding that Ukraine recognize these 4 oblastjs de Iure as part of Russian Federation.

They even wants that Trump will sign such papers..... and international community too according to them should recognize de Iure these as Russian Federstion.

Ofc there also another demands from Ukr in very long row...


There ofc

 

[SandisLL]

As for land....contested areas mainly are in mining industry area....

So obviously there might be long term strategic target : the more land Russia will control de facto, the lesser " power " will have any future elite/ establishment in Ukraine....
Unlike all these papers....if they de Facto will control more land, the weaker will be future elite in Ukr....
Unlike bla bla bla papers this really will have effect for decades in row...maybe for generations in long row.

 

[syct23]

Putin makes surprise visit to Kursk as Trump says peace is ‘up to Russia now'​

By Edward Szekeres, CNN

In video broadcast by Russian state television, President Vladimir Putin told frontline troops that Moscow’s goal is to “completely liberate” Kursk as soon as possible., Russian Presidential Press Service/AP

President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Russia's occupied Kursk region on Wednesday, as the Kremlin considers a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with his troops closing in on Ukraine's only territorial bargaining chip.

Wearing military uniform in video broadcast by Russian state television, Putin told frontline troops that Moscow's goal is to "completely liberate" Kursk as soon as possible, during his first trip to the western region since Ukraine's unexpected incursion there last year.

Putin's carefully choreographed visit appeared designed to boost morale as Russian forces advance on the final remnants of Ukraine's holdouts inside Russia, a day after peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials resulted in Kyiv accepting a 30-day US-backed ceasefire covering the entire frontline.


Russia's lightning advance in Kursk threatens Kyiv's sole territorial bargaining counter at a crucial time in the war when a potential ceasefire hangs in the balance.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the ball is now in Putin's court as US representatives headed to Russia "right now as we speak," to discuss the ceasefire proposal.

"We're going to have to see. It's up to Russia now," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, as he declined to comment on whether he has a meeting scheduled with the Russian leader.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that Putin was "carefully studying" the proposal, as Moscow waits to be briefed by US officials in the coming days.


Hours later, Russian state media footage showed Putin meeting with his top general Valery Gerasimov in Kursk before delivering a speech to soldiers, in which he urged them to oust the remaining Ukrainian forces in the region and raised the possibility of creating a "buffer zone" along Russia's border with Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk should be treated as "terrorists," Putin added.

Ukraine launched its shock incursion into Kursk in August, swiftly capturing territory in what was the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II. As well as capturing land that could potentially be swapped for Russian-occupied territory, the campaign aimed to divert Moscow's resources from the front lines in the east.

But Ukraine has struggled to hold onto its captured territory, with its grip on the region rapidly deteriorating in recent days.


On Wednesday, Gerasimov claimed that Russian forces had recaptured more than 86% of the area taken by Ukraine, that 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been taken prisoner – and the remaining Ukrainians were surrounded.

Kyiv's hopes of using Kursk as a bargaining tool in negotiations had "totally collapsed," Gerasimov claimed.

Peskov on Thursday said the operation to oust the remaining Ukrainian forces has entered its final stage, state news agency TASS said.

Ukraine's army has admitted to being driven out of several settlements in Kursk by Russian forces in recent days.

On Wednesday, Ukraine's top general Oleksandr Syrskyi hinted at further tactical retreats to "more favorable positions," saying his priority was to "save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers."


Russia had carried out airstrikes on its own land, including the town of Sudzha, which was "almost completely destroyed," Syrskyi added.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based conflict monitor, said in its update on Thursday that geolocated footage indicated Russian forces had seized Sudzha and were already advancing past the town.

Trump's Special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia later this week, though it is unclear whether he plans to meet with Putin, with whom he met last month.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking in the Oval Office, noted that conversations are happening "on the phone and in person with some of our representatives over the next couple of days."

“Asked JD Vance, Doesn’t he own a suit?”

And has he said Thank You to Ukraine for leaving Kursk?

 

[PEB]

Putin makes surprise visit to Kursk as Trump says peace is ‘up to Russia now'​

By Edward Szekeres, CNN

In video broadcast by Russian state television, President Vladimir Putin told frontline troops that Moscow’s goal is to “completely liberate” Kursk as soon as possible., Russian Presidential Press Service/AP

President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Russia's occupied Kursk region on Wednesday, as the Kremlin considers a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with his troops closing in on Ukraine's only territorial bargaining chip.

Wearing military uniform in video broadcast by Russian state television, Putin told frontline troops that Moscow's goal is to "completely liberate" Kursk as soon as possible, during his first trip to the western region since Ukraine's unexpected incursion there last year.

Putin's carefully choreographed visit appeared designed to boost morale as Russian forces advance on the final remnants of Ukraine's holdouts inside Russia, a day after peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials resulted in Kyiv accepting a 30-day US-backed ceasefire covering the entire frontline.


Russia's lightning advance in Kursk threatens Kyiv's sole territorial bargaining counter at a crucial time in the war when a potential ceasefire hangs in the balance.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the ball is now in Putin's court as US representatives headed to Russia "right now as we speak," to discuss the ceasefire proposal.

"We're going to have to see. It's up to Russia now," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, as he declined to comment on whether he has a meeting scheduled with the Russian leader.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that Putin was "carefully studying" the proposal, as Moscow waits to be briefed by US officials in the coming days.


Hours later, Russian state media footage showed Putin meeting with his top general Valery Gerasimov in Kursk before delivering a speech to soldiers, in which he urged them to oust the remaining Ukrainian forces in the region and raised the possibility of creating a "buffer zone" along Russia's border with Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk should be treated as "terrorists," Putin added.

Ukraine launched its shock incursion into Kursk in August, swiftly capturing territory in what was the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II. As well as capturing land that could potentially be swapped for Russian-occupied territory, the campaign aimed to divert Moscow's resources from the front lines in the east.

But Ukraine has struggled to hold onto its captured territory, with its grip on the region rapidly deteriorating in recent days.


On Wednesday, Gerasimov claimed that Russian forces had recaptured more than 86% of the area taken by Ukraine, that 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been taken prisoner – and the remaining Ukrainians were surrounded.

Kyiv's hopes of using Kursk as a bargaining tool in negotiations had "totally collapsed," Gerasimov claimed.

Peskov on Thursday said the operation to oust the remaining Ukrainian forces has entered its final stage, state news agency TASS said.

Ukraine's army has admitted to being driven out of several settlements in Kursk by Russian forces in recent days.

On Wednesday, Ukraine's top general Oleksandr Syrskyi hinted at further tactical retreats to "more favorable positions," saying his priority was to "save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers."


Russia had carried out airstrikes on its own land, including the town of Sudzha, which was "almost completely destroyed," Syrskyi added.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based conflict monitor, said in its update on Thursday that geolocated footage indicated Russian forces had seized Sudzha and were already advancing past the town.

Trump's Special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia later this week, though it is unclear whether he plans to meet with Putin, with whom he met last month.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking in the Oval Office, noted that conversations are happening "on the phone and in person with some of our representatives over the next couple of days."

“Asked JD Vance, Doesn’t he own a suit?”

And has he said Thank You to Ukraine for leaving Kursk?

Witch one of his 5 doppelgangers where used to make this video?