Russian-Ukrainian War: Combat Tactics & Strategy

[bala]

ANDREI MARTYANOV is an expert on Russian military and naval issues. He was born in Baku, USSR in 1963. He graduated from the Kirov Naval Red Banner Academy and served as an officer on the ships and staff position of the Soviet Coast Guard through 1990. He took part in the events in the Caucasus which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the mid-1990s he moved to the United States where he currently works as Laboratory Director in a commercial aerospace group.

Heading Toward Complete Destruction | Andrei Martyanov

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtqh0vMH2yw

Destruction on a Huge Scale | Andrei Martyanov

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh9yG1kYyqA

[MeshaVishwas]

Roos seems to have lost a A-50 AWACS in the air.
Some pro Ukr accounts claim that it was a Patriot SAM hit.
Also a photo has surfaced of an Il-20M landing back but with serious damage to the aft section
Edit: The second plane is allegedly an IL-22.
If the Khan proxies in Kyiv get a hold of a few SLCM firing U boats like the 209/1200-1400 and get experienced Turkish or other mercs to operate them, then we may well see a good match up in the Black Sea.
Fish in a barrel type situation for the RuFN Black Sea surface fleet.(with the Roos bear being the fish)

CNN report here:

[srai]

Two Bradleys with their rapid fire 25mm main gun ambushed a T-90 …

[vera_k]

That's like a scene from Star Wars. Did the tank have no chance at all or was there a malfunction preventing the use of the tank's weapons against the attackers?

[Pratyush]

That's like a scene from Star Wars. Did the tank have no chance at all or was there a malfunction preventing the use of the tank's weapons against the attackers?

If the tank is cought alone in such a situation, it will suffer.
There were tests in the FSU regarding the effects of 30 mm BMP 2 ammo on the T 72.

It was not much different from what we are seeing the 2 Bradleys doing to the T90.

The frontal arc cannot be penetrated. But the aft section of the turret and engine deck and fuel tanks are a different issue.

[Rakesh]

Javelin horse cavalry

https://x.com/front_ukrainian/status/17 ... 48245?s=20 --->

[Deans]

That's like a scene from Star Wars. Did the tank have no chance at all or was there a malfunction preventing the use of the tank's weapons against the attackers?

Ukraine has selectively posted footage of the T-90 vs Bradley encounter.
Its 2 Bradley's firing at an isolated T-90.
It was isolated possibly because it had already been hit by a drone or ATGM. The full video shows that the tank turret can't turn.

While the explosion on the tank looks spectacular, its partly the reactive armour of the T-90 exploding outwards and partly the smoke dispensers
of the tank being activated. The tank crew all survived. The tank itself is likely to be towed away and repaired.
While the Bradley is one of the few western systems that has more or less worked as advertised in Ukraine, it can't actually knock out a tank.

[srai]

Steel bunkers HQ interiors







https://amp.censor.net/en/photo_news/34 ... otect_them

As noted, the first steel headquarters, designed for 30 servicemen, has already been handed over to the Ukrainian Army free of charge and installed in one of the hottest areas of the frontline.

"The command post helps save lives of the military as it can be deployed and retracted on the front line in a short time and, if properly installed, provides protection against artillery fire of any calibre. The steel headquarters consists of five or six separate mobile bunkers, depending on the configuration, which Metinvest launched in October 2022. These are interconnected underground shelters that perform various functions - from living quarters and sanitary areas to the command's working headquarters. This creates an entire underground complex of buildings," the statement said.

[Garooda]

That's like a scene from Star Wars. Did the tank have no chance at all or was there a malfunction preventing the use of the tank's weapons against the attackers?

Ukraine has selectively posted footage of the T-90 vs Bradley encounter.

Both sides are engaged in such practice. Posting selective footages in addition to plenty of fake footages by fanboys and propoganda groups from both sides.

[Tanaji]

I think that there has been a slight change in tactics by the Ukrainian army. They either have gotten better guidance or newer drones itself and are now going after Russian assets like oil terminals, power stations etc. that are deeper from the frontline. Essentially repeating Russian tactics from last winter but now they can pull it off due to the newer drones. It has caused Russia to redeploy its air defence assets for sure…

[drnayar]

I think that there has been a slight change in tactics by the Ukrainian army. They either have gotten better guidance or newer drones itself and are now going after Russian assets like oil terminals, power stations etc. that are deeper from the frontline. Essentially repeating Russian tactics from last winter but now they can pull it off due to the newer drones. It has caused Russia to redeploy its air defence assets for sure…

or a better propaganda machine ..

[srai]

Propaganda or not … inflated numbers or not … denials or not … biased views or not … leanings one way or other … justified or not … right or wrong …

The reality is both sides are killing each other by the thousands (military and civilians). Destroying large numbers of equipment and infrastructure (military and civilian). They will continue to do so for years to come. No end in sight yet.

[Aditya_V]

I think both sides here means NATO and Russia, Nato personal, resources are also being used up in a big manner. Normally something like the Houthis would have been finished off in 10 -15 days , but the cupboard is clearly pretty exhausted.

The Chinese seem to be the winner here, they have chance to take Taiwan and SOKO and get the key industrial capability of the West.

[Deans]

Ukraine has selectively posted footage of the T-90 vs Bradley encounter.

Both sides are engaged in such practice. Posting selective footages in addition to plenty of fake footages by fanboys and propoganda groups from both sides.

The difference is that Russian's have access to Western news, while Western countries ban Russian channels.
Russian news channels have embedded reporters at the front - who have past military experience. Viewers get to see hours of live footage and can draw their own conclusions about authenticity - they hardly follow the official report of the Russian MOD (which I consider bland and exaggerated, but not to the extent of Ukraine's). I follow a couple of channels in Russian.
Western channels do not have reporters close to the front, so they cut paste reports from the Ukraine Ministry of defense. Their reporters are typically telegenic women who will interview politicians in Ukraine and reassure viewers than Ukraine is winning.

[SNaik]

Telegram channels are not banned for both sides and are the only decent and timely source. There's no need for MOD briefings which are just to be expected Inform-Bureau type of propaganda. Both Ukraine and Russia officially are exaggerating their success and denying losses (or admitting them significantly later).

[rajkumar]

https://x.com/Chopsyturvey/status/17499 ... 82722?s=20



At the speed society evolves, so too does the character of warfare. Never expected to be chased down and be blown to pieces by FPV drones.

[srai]

Here is a first hand account of a Nepali survivor who fought for the Russians. Eventually he managed to escape Russia through bribes …

Basic jest of it
* initially paid well for signing up; took anybody; mostly civilians without any military background
* short 15 day training
* sent to the frontline but as cannon fodder
* only 5% survived … over 300 Nepalis dead already and the rest (1500) facing the same fate (but they don’t know it yet)

[drnayar]

Propaganda or not … inflated numbers or not … denials or not … biased views or not … leanings one way or other … justified or not … right or wrong …

The reality is both sides are killing each other by the thousands (military and civilians). Destroying large numbers of equipment and infrastructure (military and civilian). They will continue to do so for years to come. No end in sight yet.

Well , The US wants war at any cost wherever or whatever no matter the cost .. its increasingly looking that military equipment and associated commercial stuff is the only thing they produce that is competitive !!.. who would stop the gravy train ? ..maybe Trump ?

[AkshaySG]

I think both sides here means NATO and Russia, Nato personal, resources are also being used up in a big manner. Normally something like the Houthis would have been finished off in 10 -15 days , but the cupboard is clearly pretty exhausted.

The Chinese seem to be the winner here, they have chance to take Taiwan and SOKO and get the key industrial capability of the West.

The Americans have benefited just as much if not more than the Chinese during this war.

They got massive amounts of Russian defense forces and equipment destroyed with barely any American lives lost.

There is also a lot of data, tactics and equipment that they can evaluate against the best that Russia has to offer which definitely helps plan better against similar Chinese platforms

As far as NATO goes then that's just an extension of the American military to make it seem like it's a "consensus or coalition " but in terms of strength the current NATO utilization is a drop in the ocean when compared to what the US would deploy in a Taiwan conflict for ex.

Just because they didn't go scorched earth on the Houthis doesn't mean the capability isn't there, It's an election year in US and middle east attacks/campaigns play badly with a lot of Biden voters

[Manish_P]

At the speed society evolves, so too does the character of warfare. Never expected to be chased down and be blown to pieces by FPV drones.

Maybe the soldier might have had a small chance if he had a gun to knock down the drone.

These will be more and more common. The pakis will probably be getting large quantities of such small drones from China.

We need to have our own industry producing both drones and counter drone systems by the numbers to equip our front line troops.

[Roop]

Col. Macgregor's take on this (from Tucker Carlson's blog/podcast):

[Aditya_V]

I have a theory against Yesterday Il-76 crash, we are seeing Tactics evolve from NATO and Russia faster than WW2, the Russians managed to get a lot Ukrainian Air force planes with A-50/ S-400 combo, NATO started using Satellite/ AWACS to guide Patriot Launches, thats how they probably got the IL-22 and possibly an A-50.

So the Russians packed some Ukranian POW's, switched Transponders of thier IL-76- A-50 fleet. Now they know more about what is happening, they lost a plane and a crew, now NATO will have to check about the IL-76 payload before Launching missiles.

Its a game of cat and mouse here.

The Turbo prop engines of Tu-95 were mainly developed using help of German POW's in late 40's early 50's. They are much louder than the B-52 engines, so loud that US SOSUS system could actually be disturbed by its sound waves under water. But it was more fuel efficient giving the TU-95 long range and in today's era its IR signature is much lower the Russians have noted its harder to detect via satellite than other Jet engines.

Every tactic seems to have funny consequences and in war nothing seems to going to any plan.

[drnayar]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/mexi ... 82892.html


Mexico's is demanding an investigation into how U.S. military-grade weapons are increasingly being found in the hands of Mexican drug cartels
Any guesses ?!!

[SNaik]

The Mexican army said in June that it had seized 221 fully automatic machine guns, 56 grenade launchers and a dozen rocket launchers from drug cartels since late 2018.

Since 2018, not since February 2022. Any guesses? A hint: they have a common land border and US/Mexico border security is a big issue in the Congress right now.

[srai]

US population has 494 million guns.

You can buy guns, accessories and bullets from a buffet as convenient as your everyday groceries shopping!

You guys are talking about few hundred guns. America talks in tens of millions …

US has 30,000+ gun-related deaths (violence, suicide, accidental) every year. There are as many mass shooting (4 persons or more) as there are days in a year.

[Cyrano]

Seems a few dozen French Foreign Legion soldiers were killed when Russia struck a hotel in Kharkiv few days ago.

Conflicting statements from French def min, foreign minister, Macron. In the end no one really cares for hired soldiers whose body bags don't come home.

[srai]

Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) launched from HIMARS heading to Ukraine. Range of 94 miles (150km). Warhead 250lb (115kg). Precision of 1-meter.




Similar could be done with SAAW and Pinaka system.

[Deans]

Recruitment videos. This one for the Russian airborne forces (English subtitles). The song is a hit in Russia. Has some impressive hardware and shows
women paratroopers for the first time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcCmF7o6-Fc

This one has humor. 2 soldiers pissing on a destroyed NATO vehicle - possibly on location, in a place called `Bradley square'
(saying they - NATO tanks, burn and stink like all the others).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzoLz7jGixw

[srai]

The war moving beyond the frontlines. Both sides attacking each other’s ability to finance the war.

Ukraine increasing its attacks on Russian oil & gas facilities all across Russia

[srai]

Aerial drones to ground drones …

Warfare history’s first: Ukrainian combat robot adjusted via UAV engages Russian positions

…
“Recently, for the first time in history, there was an operation in which the BpAK (uncrewed aerial systems, – Ed.) fighters adjusted [the fire of] an unmanned ground drone with a turret from the sky as it was destroying Russian personnel. This has never happened before in the history of military affairs – it’s extremely cool,” said Andrii Otchenash, the Kara Nebesna commander.
…

This is the beginning of the future of warfare. Desperate need of the hour expediting innovation cycles. What one side can do the other side can do as well. Everyone else watching from sidelines taking notes.

[dnivas]

The last 2 months, Ukr has had multiple blows. Things are just not going well for Ukraine. RU is composting Ukr troops at multiple fronts now.

[Deans]

The war moving beyond the frontlines. Both sides attacking each other’s ability to finance the war.

Ukraine increasing its attacks on Russian oil & gas facilities all across Russia

Ukrainian facilities are being hit in a roughly 10:1 ratio. They are also running out of air defense missiles (as is Europe).

[Deans]

The last 2 months, Ukr has had multiple blows. Things are just not going well for Ukraine. RU is composting Ukr troops at multiple fronts now.

The average age of the Ukrainian army at the front is 43-45. Many have not served before and are just not fit to be soldiers. Too add to that, the unit is new, the officers new and there are shortages of ammo. There are more cases of Ukrainian women soldiers being killed.

[srai]

Unofficially, there may be 15,000 Nepalis recruited for Russian war. Used as cannon fodders on the frontlines with only 2-weeks training.

[IndraD]

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/18 ... m_desktop=

Putin's army 'advancing along almost the entire front line' as Ukraine sounds alarm

Putin's forces are now on the attack (Image: Getty)
The Russian military is advancing across the "almost the entire front line" as Vladimir Putin's soldiers begin their offensive, Kyiv has warned.

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has warned the situation is difficult for Kyiv's men.

He said: "At this time, the situation can be assessed as difficult. The enemy is now advancing along almost the entire front line, and we have moved from offensive operations to conducting a defensive operation.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based think tank, has claimed Russian troops have made gains in the town and are cutting the main Ukrainian supply lines.

[srai]

Details on Ukrainian sea drones and tactics

[Kati]

Can Ukraine Still Win?

https://www.newyorker.com/news/essay/ca ... -still-win

(A good analysis.)

[rkirankr]

It seems Avdeevka is lost to Ukraine. Confirmed by Ukraine Military . Saw it in one of the forums

[Cyrano]

At last the shelling of Donetsk city will stop.

[sanman]

'It's Sort Of A Laundering Scheme': Rand Paul Warns How Ukraine Funds Being Pumped Back Into US

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csv5oCTW69A