What's going on in Ukraine?

[Hellraiser]

[FalseBayFC]

Some people in twitter comments saying this is the NVA tactic of "hold them by the belt buckle". Draw them in to close quarters to negate artillery and close air support. It was a very bold move to stay in Severodonetsk. An offensive defence.

[TheFrog]

Very clever.

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[Hellraiser]

Reports coming through that the Ukrainians have retaken most of Severodonetsk.

[Hellraiser]

[fishfoodie]

Reports coming through that the Ukrainians have retaken most of Severodonetsk.

Time to change Generals again ......

[Hellraiser]

Good video on Ukrainian artillery.

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[The Druid]

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[Hellraiser]

Reports coming through that the Ukrainians have retaken most of Severodonetsk.

Time to change Generals again ......

Not many left to change....

[Hellraiser]

[Hellraiser]

The Ukrainians are now back in 60-70% control of Severodonetsk.

[Hellraiser]

The Russians are having massive issue with artillery at close quarters. They are inaccurate up to a kilometre at short range which means they are restricted in how they can engage in the fighting in Severodonetsk without hitting their own troops. The Ukrainians on the other hand can dial their artillery in to 20-30m with Western kit they now have in the field.

[Hellraiser]

[Hellraiser]

One of the major points to emerge from this war is that the UAF have completely reinvented artillery warfare. They have created, through necessity, a completely decentralised system of artillery in the field. The rest of the world, and the Russians would be the epitome of it, have to this point employed artillery in battery systems that is relatively unchanged since at least the Franco-Prussian War. The use of drone and integrated software target assignment through GIS 'Arta' has allowed Ukrainian SPGs, SPHs, MLRSs, and towed guns/howitzers to be stationed individually, at significant distance from each other, but hit the same target, at the same time. No mean feat, as it requires radically different equipment in different areas, with different ammo and ranges, to fire co-ordinate so all barrages arrives on target at the same time.

[Hellraiser]

Ukrainian Forces have retaken the village of Metolkine and most of Voronove south of Severodonetsk.

[Hellraiser]

[fishfoodie]

The Russians are having massive issue with artillery at close quarters. They are inaccurate up to a kilometre at short range which means they are restricted in how they can engage in the fighting in Severodonetsk without hitting their own troops. The Ukrainians on the other hand can dial their artillery in to 20-30m with Western kit they now have in the field.

I think the developments around Severodonetsk, give the lie to those daily maps, that show that big pink area to the East, where supposedly the Orcs are in control.

If the Orcs actually had control, they would have reinforced, when the Ukrainians counter attacked, & they'd never have retreated, because they're safer in the urban areas, than going back across open ground, where they can be spotted & shelled; & by the same token, for any significant reinforcements to come into the city, they would have to cross that killing ground.

I suppose if either side had control of the air, then that would be decisive.

[Hellraiser]

Spain is sending 40 Leopard 2A4s to Ukraine.

[Blake]

One of the major points to emerge from this war is that the UAF have completely reinvented artillery warfare. They have created, through necessity, a completely decentralised system of artillery in the field. The rest of the world, and the Russians would be the epitome of it, have to this point employed artillery in battery systems that is relatively unchanged since at least the Franco-Prussian War. The use of drone and integrated software target assignment through GIS 'Arta' has allowed Ukrainian SPGs, SPHs, MLRSs, and towed guns/howitzers to be stationed individually, at significant distance from each other, but hit the same target, at the same time. No mean feat, as it requires radically different equipment in different areas, with different ammo and ranges, to fire co-ordinate so all barrages arrives on target at the same time.

It really is amazing.

The best description I’ve seen is that they’ve built “an Uber for artillery”. Multiple at artillery units roaming around independently setting up temporary positions and avoiding detection waiting for a job. A spotter then requests a strike when a target has been identified. Any available units can then take the job if they are within range and then scoot away after a couple of shots.

Having decentralised batteries is genius, but it does come at a cost, particularly with some of the western systems they have now received that requires a craned support vehicle to perform loading and unloading. In the old model a single support vehicle could support a whole battery. Decentralization does come with an inefficiency penalty but I think the Ukrainians have proved the benefits outweigh that.

[Hellraiser]

One of the major points to emerge from this war is that the UAF have completely reinvented artillery warfare. They have created, through necessity, a completely decentralised system of artillery in the field. The rest of the world, and the Russians would be the epitome of it, have to this point employed artillery in battery systems that is relatively unchanged since at least the Franco-Prussian War. The use of drone and integrated software target assignment through GIS 'Arta' has allowed Ukrainian SPGs, SPHs, MLRSs, and towed guns/howitzers to be stationed individually, at significant distance from each other, but hit the same target, at the same time. No mean feat, as it requires radically different equipment in different areas, with different ammo and ranges, to fire co-ordinate so all barrages arrives on target at the same time.

It really is amazing.

The best description I’ve seen is that they’ve built “an Uber for artillery”. Multiple at artillery units roaming around independently setting up temporary positions and avoiding detection waiting for a job. A spotter then requests a strike when a target has been identified. Any available units can then take the job if they are within range and then scoot away after a couple of shots.

Having decentralised batteries is genius, but it does come at a cost, particularly with some of the western systems they have now received that requires a craned support vehicle to perform loading and unloading. In the old model a single support vehicle could support a whole battery. Decentralization does come with an inefficiency penalty but I think the Ukrainians have proved the benefits outweigh that.

One other huge advantage is that Russian counter-battery radar can't identify numbers. It only ever sees one blip, regardless of whether it's one gun or 10. Which means the Russians can only ever target one gun with counter-battery fire.

[Hellraiser]

Spain approves delivery to Ukraine of 40 Leopard 2A4 tanks and Aspide missile systems

Defense News June 2022 Global Security army industry
Posted On Sunday, 05 June 2022 12:14

According to information published by the Spanish newspaper "El Pais" on June 5, 2022, Spain approves the delivery to Ukraine of 40 Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and Aspide air defense missile systems.

Citing information published on the Internet, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Spain has already provided 20 tons of humanitarian aid worth more than €150,000 and 54 pallets of medicines and medical supplies. In terms of weapons, Spain has supplied 1,370 Instalaza C-90 anti-tank grenade launchers, an unspecified number of light machine guns, and 700,000 bullets as well as one RG-31 Nyala 4x4 mine-resistant armored vehicle in ambulance configuration.

Now Spain is ready to increase its military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces with the delivery of Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and Aspide air defense missile systems. The shipment of the Aspide missile systems, produced by the European missile company MBDA, is pending completion of the negotiations through a cell in Germany that is in charge to coordinate the military aid to Ukraine. The Aspide is no longer in service with the Spanish army and it was replaced by a more modern air defense system.

Spain is also ready to deliver 40 Leopard 2A4 tanks that have been stored for a decade in a logistics base of the Spanish army. At the same time, Spain will train the Ukraine soldiers to operate these tanks. The training will be conducted by Spanish soldiers deployed in Latvia, where the Spanish Army has a contingent of 500 soldiers with six Leopard 2E tanks, within the framework of NATO's Enhanced Advanced Presence (EFP) operation.

According to the military balance 2021, Spain has a total of 327 MBTs including 108 German Leopard 2A4 and 218 Leopard 2E. The 108 Leopard 2A4s are second-hand tanks bought by Spain from Germany in 1985. The Leopard 2A4 is a German-made main battle tank designed and manufactured by the Company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the successor of the main battle tank Leopard 1.

The Leopard 2A4 tank is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun which has been developed by Rheinmetall and fires two types of ammunition, APFSDS-T, and HEAT-MP-T. A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the left side of the main armament and one 7.62mm machine gun to the hatch of the loader. Two banks of four 76mm smoke grenade dischargers are mounted to each side of the turret.

The layout of the Leopard 2A4 is conventional for a modern main battle tank with the drive position at the front, the turret in the middle, and the powerpack at the rear. It has a crew of four including a driver, commander, gunner, and loader. The Leopard 2A4 is fitted with a new digital fire control system and an improved turret with more armor.

The Leopard 2A4 is motorized with an MTU MB 873 diesel engine, which provides 1,103 kW of engine output. It can run at a maximum road speed of 72 km with a maximum cruising range of 550 km.

The Aspide is a medium-range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile that was produced by the Italian company Selenia. Spain ordered 200 Aspide missiles in 1985 that were delivered in 1987-1989 as part of a $230 m deal for 6 Spada SAM systems. In 1996, 51 Aspide 2000 were ordered and delivered in 1997-1999 for the Spada 2000 SAM (Surface to Air Missile) systems.

The Spada is an all-weather air defense missile that is able to launch the Aspide 2000 missile which has a maximum firing range of 20 km.

[tabascoboy]

This seems to be a new one - another Russian General demilitarized

Military correspondent Sladkov announced the death of Major General Kutuzov during a special operation in Ukraine

Major General Roman Kutuzov died during a Russian special operation in Ukraine. This was announced on Sunday, June 5, by war correspondent Alexander Sladkov in his Telegram.

“You left like a soldier, like a warrior. Not everyone is given this,” the journalist said in the post.

In turn, the Military Informant Telegram channel clarified that Kutuzov died in the course of a combat mission near the village of Nikolaevka, Popasnyansky district, Luhansk People’s Republic.

It is noted that during his service, Kutuzov was awarded the Orders of Courage, “For Military Merit”, Honor, as well as the medal “For Courage”.

On June 2, it was reported that during the hostilities in the sky over the Lugansk region, the hero of Russia, retired Major General of the Russian Air Force, 63-year-old Kanamat Botashev, died. According to Baza, Botashev’s plane was shot down, the pilot did not have time to eject.

[Hellraiser]

[yermum]

Holy shit they really are going to use them

[Plim]

Is there any reliable information about the scope and pace of German military aid to Ukraine? General consensus seems to be that the Germans are stalling and reneging.

If true, would seem to be a shame after all other Western European states, and the US, have stood fast and been solid in support.

[fishfoodie]

Ironic. RIght beside the Bus station is the Pet Cemetery.

Are Orc pets ?

[fishfoodie]

Holy shit they really are going to use them

Great idea !

Put a few hundred more kilos of steel on top of an already dog slow tank, make your visibility much worse, & make operating your machine gun impossible, & most importantly, make your chances of getting out before the tank brews up, considerably worse !!!

Watched a decent video a week ago where the commentator pointed out that the cope cages had to be properly engineered, & part of a suite of defenses, to be worth a shit, & quelle surprise, the only way of doing this was in the factory, but instead the High Command just sent out a general direction, & had their crews bang out their own cages.

[laurent]

Is there any reliable information about the scope and pace of German military aid to Ukraine? General consensus seems to be that the Germans are stalling and reneging.

If true, would seem to be a shame after all other Western European states, and the US, have stood fast and been solid in support.

The German military seems to have a lot of issues ...
Mainly not maintaining their kit.
Doubt they are reneging but the AA stuff they are planning to share needs to be put out of storage and crews trained (They also needed to source ammunition and the Swiss are not helping).The PZH2000 are shipped I think (crew trained too).

The French military has virtually no ammo stock but were able to provide stuff (and apparently 18 CAESAR rather than 12) these had to be modified to integrate with Ukrainian Command and Targeting systems.
Milan AntiTank missiles and Body armor where sent early on.
As the French are switching a lot of kit to new ones (Scorpion Program) They could be preparing VAB and AMX10 (those could be at the end of their useful life though).

[Blake]

His PR game is unmatched. 40-50km from the front lines.

[Hellraiser]

Holy shit they really are going to use them

Great idea !

Put a few hundred more kilos of steel on top of an already dog slow tank, make your visibility much worse, & make operating your machine gun impossible, & most importantly, make your chances of getting out before the tank brews up, considerably worse !!!

Watched a decent video a week ago where the commentator pointed out that the cope cages had to be properly engineered, & part of a suite of defenses, to be worth a shit, & quelle surprise, the only way of doing this was in the factory, but instead the High Command just sent out a general direction, & had their crews bang out their own cages.

The thing is proper cage armour only works against Soviet-style RPGs anyway. It's not worth shit against ATGMs.

[Hellraiser]

Is there any reliable information about the scope and pace of German military aid to Ukraine? General consensus seems to be that the Germans are stalling and reneging.

If true, would seem to be a shame after all other Western European states, and the US, have stood fast and been solid in support.

The German military seems to have a lot of issues ...
Mainly not maintaining their kit.
Doubt they are reneging but the AA stuff they are planning to share needs to be put out of storage and crews trained (They also needed to source ammunition and the Swiss are not helping).The PZH2000 are shipped I think (crew trained too).

The French military has virtually no ammo stock but were able to provide stuff (and apparently 18 CAESAR rather than 12) these had to be modified to integrate with Ukrainian Command and Targeting systems.
Milan AntiTank missiles and Body armor where sent early on.
As the French are switching a lot of kit to new ones (Scorpion Program) They could be preparing VAB and AMX10 (those could be at the end of their useful life though).

Ammo for the most part isn't a major problem given it's standardised across NATO countries. The Gepards are a problem though as 35mm is a bespoke calibre and only manufactured in Switzerland, meaning the only real options are getting it from the Brazilians or Romanians. The Brazilians are balls deep in with the Russians so won't do shit and the Romanians probably won't/can't supply it unless the Swiss replace what they give.

[Hellraiser]

[TheFrog]

Is there any reliable information about the scope and pace of German military aid to Ukraine? General consensus seems to be that the Germans are stalling and reneging.

If true, would seem to be a shame after all other Western European states, and the US, have stood fast and been solid in support.

For start, the germans have few weapons of their own. Their stocks are low because they invested so little in their defense.

[Blake]

The balls on this guy...



The loyalty and trust within his inner-circle must be absolute. If word of this trip had leaked out ahead of time it would have been a massive target for the Russians.

[JM2K6]

The balls on this guy...



The loyalty and trust within his inner-circle must be absolute. If word of this trip had leaked out ahead of time it would have been a massive target for the Russians.

I guess that's something this particular Russian war makes easy. The Ukranians are very clear that they're facing an existential threat. That tends to focus the mind and ensure loyalty...

[Blake]

I guess that's something this particular Russian war makes easy. The Ukranians are very clear that they're facing an existential threat.
That tends to focus the mind and ensure loyalty...

Indeed. It's just amazing how worlds apart they are...Zelenskyy with his men, Putin cowering at the end of a long table.

The memes write themselves.