Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

How so? They were supposed to have 100s or even thousands (I don't remember) by early 2020s. That was almost a decade ago and before the current war and everything that came with it. Do they have even 100? I seriously doubt they have even double digit tanks of this type.
I was supposed to be married with kids and a well paid job by the time I hit 30. 50% later and I am single, no kids, no job and ready to be homeless. Dreams and plans are fun, but when life hits you or you make bad choices, the results speak of themselves.
Where are the "armata"? Nowhere. And it's not like they are building them as we speak. Before current economic sunctions.
I have no doubt it will be used as an excuse, by some, but I seriously doubt we would have T-14 tanks in the next 10 years. Talking about numbers, not prototypes.

Second and far less important, It looks fake. I am talking about pure looks. It looks like something it was designed in haste to protect their jobs if not their lives. Then tried to cover the lie and failed.
Yes hypothetically it's an interesting tank. Realistically it's at best a project many years away from a real product.
IMO of course.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

No. Serial production towards that was supposed to happen this year, but it hasn't even begun (T-14). Let me see if I can still "paste" the article I just put in the MBT Thread ...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...out&li=BBnbfcL

Never should've detoured to here, just should've kept going!! :doh:

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

The one thing from the very beginning that struck me as unusual regarding the T-14 was its size which was a radical departure from accepted Russian design and primarily not just the length but it's height

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d1/7c...a6985ab8e4.jpg

https://topwar.ru/uploads/posts/2020...894289_138.jpg


It's why I always thought it would be intended to be used more in an overwatch/support capacity for the T-90s rather than something meant to lead the way. It would be a hard target to miss

While seaching for the images above I found this and could not resist

https://ih0.redbubble.net/image.5221...1000,075,f.jpg


add 2022 Ukraine to that

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Apparently, it has begun. CNN and Ukrainian officials have reported just a short time ago, that the Battle for Donbas has started.

Apparently, Russia has moved 10 Battalions into the area.

If true, so it begins.

Putin has publicly declared he wants a resolution by 9 May in time for "Victory Day" celebrations.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Dunno why, but I got reminded of Operation Primavera (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_spring_offensive). The Ukrainians will be lucky if they have their own hill 731 by the end of this.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Looks like Pat is right.

https://www.understandingwar.org/bac...sment-april-18

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

I wish I could help them.
I don't anyone to die on either side, but at the same time I hope for the Russians to leave their remains there as they fail to gain anything.

It's too bad the Ukrainians don't have the forces to attack towards the south now that the Russians are focused to Donbas.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...o_ukraine.html

Seems even Norway is jumping in to help out...

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Yes, I added those this morning before shutting down new items

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Slovakian T72 with ERA in Ukraine. Video.
https://twitter.com/zloneversleep/st...09VJSd7Bsqg_TA

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

An interesting read:

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-res...erial-delusion

Click on the Download PDF to read the report.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Not saying I believe anything this guy has posted or even claims, but now according to his reports we, the US, have given the Ukrainians M270 MRLS along with all the other stuff.

https://medium.com/@x_TomCooper_x/uk...2-885784cdc601

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Quick question, are the NATO supplied armor and such, are they being sent with NATO secondary weapons like the CMGs and such or not? Looking at the logistical nightmare part of sending in things that they don't have a lot of ammo for.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Using the M113A3 for the first question, it is unclear whether or not they're getting the mated MG 12.7mm from us.

Italy has already sent them the M2 Browning 12.7mm and it's in the field and has been for about two weeks now with some not working properly (Now fixed from poor PMS by Italy.), however Italy did supply them with ammo.

To the second in the area of Armor and Artillery the donating countries have sent them out with ammo. Using the U.S. by way of example and the following is also now confirmed, when we shipped the first set of M777 155mm artillery they went with 180,000+ rounds of ammo.

So yes, for ammo being supplied from rifles to artillery shells.

It should be noted the Ukraine has been handed over 80% of the M777 units shipped from the U.S. as of four days ago.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...oned-artillery
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...o_ukraine.html

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

A couple of videos of interest

The first one is from an Estonian.... there is something hinky at 2:50 that make it look fake or at least altered but it also suggest Russian small unit tactics are not the best and that there are actions being take in Russia.... fires in places there should not be

Drone video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ4HxpQQ3Sg

Fire map

https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov...;@45.6,51.9,6z

The other suggests HIMARS have been sent to Ukraine.... I will wait for confirmation on that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzAI2lIRvjg

( this may be it.........https://avia-pro.net/news/na-ukrainu...sti-rossiyskim )

This one suggests a Kessel in the making near Izyum that would POTENTIALLY cut off supplies to 22,000 Russian troops
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg_K59w07Ec

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Interesting story about Holocaust survivor from Mariupol and how she compare this siege to famous siege of Leningrad which she also experience when was younger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rSdoXxfmdY

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Interesting stories about how Ukrainian Nazis killed civilians in Mariupol.
https://youtu.be/23EZ5lJEu2A

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Interesting only if you want to believe it. It's the narrative the Russians have been using to justify their invasion from the start. That does not make it true but the entire situation from the start has been "complicated"

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

You can, of course, philosophize )) Everyone decides for himself what to believe. That doesn't make this video a lie. And the truth is always the same.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

If we talk about which true is an real one and which not now about war in Ukraine I d'like to post here polish song from early 1995 written around 30 years ago when we all believed that better World is our future!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg1gfXVRqRA

We were all wrong and that is why :( written by Leszek Czajkowski

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

interesting song.
Plus, the truth can be uncomfortable:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDG_hWlVda4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGdUtUefjCA

For example:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-a8066761.html
https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.co...alia-abstains/

Here is another interesting video about the old lady:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfeflkpcOi4

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Your stay here is unlikely to last much longer but the Azov Batallion is a very tiny unit maybe 900 strong before the Russian invasion and the lefties have been pitching a fit about them for half a decade which is what you dug up. But to a good 21st-century leftist ANYONE even moderately conservative is viewed as a potential "Fascist / nazi"

900 in a population of 41.46 Million does not justify the invasion and flattening of cities but the Russian propagandist ( and apologists.......) are spinning their own war crimes as the work of Azov which does not explain Bucha and Irpin as Azov is nowhere near those places.......and as has been mentioned time and time again. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish

Yet Putin and his cronies are behaving exactly like authoritarian Fascists and "the truth can be uncomfortable" and that IS the truth.

https://theconversation.com/yes-puti...inition-179063

https://voxukraine.org/en/rashism-or...-the-new-nazi/

and

https://www.cidob.org/en/publication...a_for_russians

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Geez, can we skip some of the insane amounts of propaganda when we talk about the war in Ukraine? It's bad enough already.

And my post is aimed at the brand new member, just to clarify.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

As reported in China Times along with many others ( you will need to turn translation on )
https://www-chinatimes-com.translate...r_pto=sc&chdtv

If Lieutenant Colonels are having to go personally with reconnaissance teams and are getting killed handling weapons they have BIG problems


"The black knights always triumph"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UijhbHvxWrA

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

‘Key to white survival’: how Putin has morphed into a far-right saviour
The Russian president’s ‘strong man’ image and disdain for liberals has turned him into a hero for white nationalists

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...ists-far-right

The antisemitism animating Putin’s claim to ‘denazify’ Ukraine

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...itism-denazify

Putin’s fascists: the Russian state’s long history of cultivating homegrown neo-Nazis
Published: March 21, 2022 3.05pm EDT

https://theconversation.com/putins-f...o-nazis-178535

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Why won't my stay here last long? )) Are you threatening me with a ban? You don't like my opinion? I was previously registered here (lost access to my account) - me KraMax (group Steel Panthers Russia) - remember me?

My opinion is different from yours. Isn't that what democracy is fighting for, so that all opinions are heard and everyone can speak out?
You and not only you say that this is propaganda. It turns out that any individual opinion that differs from yours is propaganda?

The size of the Azov battalion is conditional. The Azov Battalion is officially part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Since 2014, this battalion and not only it has been shelling the Donbass and killing the civilian (and russians people too) population of these regions.

Zelensky Jewish. Obviously the Nazis are stronger and politics is a dirty business. Is Israel helping him a lot? I wonder why?

There were hopes for the "Minsk agreements" signed by Ukraine in 2015. Ukraine promised to fulfill these agreements for 8 years.

I carefully read your links. Beautifully written. Some authors are Ukrainians, but it doesn't matter. With these links you are trying to explain to me that Russia is a fascist (authoritarian, totalitarian ...) state and put it between the state and Putin. This is your point of view, not mine.

Let's read about the Nazis at the state level (toward the end of the article):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepan_Bandera
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Shukhevych

State awards to Nazi criminals (this is no longer 900 people to 41 million). People have nothing to do with it - these are politicians.
Remember the conversation between Biden and Putin on security? What did they discuss there ... one can only guess.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Sorry forgot to write about Bucha and other. For example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1yoMRLbuuE

This is the mayor of Bucha rejoicing at the withdrawal of Russian troops. He doesn't talk about tragedy. Ukrainian and foreign media will start talking about the tragedy in Bucha 4-5 days after the withdrawal of Russian troops. I will not talk about fakes. Just think for yourself - you leave a small town and shoot a lot of civilians so that you can later be accused of mass crimes?... Just don't talk about the bloodthirstiness of the Russians!

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Y'all do realize that the Russians don't follow the same setup the Western militaries do right? Their NCO Corps is a joke and the duties that MOST Western Mlitraries regulate to NCOs fall on junior and some senior line officers in the Russian and other Eastern European armies? I have seen it in Hungarian and Romanian and somewhat in the Lithuanian militaries and we all know their base is the Soviet model.

So it is no shock or surprise that we are seeing reports of staff/line officers getting killed when it would be reports of captains and LTs if it was a Western military in the same setting. Am I the only one NOT comparing the Russians or Ukrainians to the US military or NATO militires?

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

This is a minute snapshot of events he is happy to be rid of the invaders. End of story -----the rest of the events were reported after the liberation .. after that was recorded


It's BS like this that will be your end. You are referencing the post Blazoes made in the one above yours but that is NOT the same "old woman" at all.


And no, I don't much care for your distorted opinions

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

And just who are you aiming that comment at exactly ??

If it was me WELL DUH..... this was a lieutenant colonel out on a scouting mission with a rifle........ "The Russians don't follow the same setup the Western militaries" yeah NO KIDDING EH?? :doh:

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

How about all of us? It does seem that we, all are getting a bit to how can one say picking side and not being partial to events without it sounding like anything but that?

If it's clear that they don't work as Western militaries, then it should not be a shock that senior officers went out to see for themselves how craptastic things are, if they are indeed that. As I have said to numerous people, we are getting a one-sided version of events, via media. I do not believe a single thing that comes out of the entire region, mainly because it's all propaganda.

I am not surprised a senior officer went to see things firsthand, hell I have seen senior officers who do stupid things and think they are still junior officers. Never ends well, when they try. This Russian is no exception.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

This is a pretty reliable source and not one sided or media biased.

https://www.understandingwar.org/

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

I think the point here is to understand what the media is trying to get out there isn't made for our consumption, I'd say a very healthy portion of us out here cover everything from active duty, retired, veteran (Conscripted, volunteer, reserves etc.) and I would imagine disabled veterans.

I will at this time acknowledge all the non-military people that support this forum and the game THANK YOU!

Back to Para 1; we have been there and done that. We've all experienced the "pitfalls" and successes of the various Chains of Commands we've had to work with in our military careers. Our overall experiences for the good or bad give us a much better view of military issues than "John Q. Public".

We must not lose sight of this perspective as the Media is writing this again for "John Q. Public" where a "scuttlebutt" might be where you put out your cigarette/cigar instead of the water fountain where you gather to gossip. Or a "rack" is a shelve you put your towels on instead of being your bed.

And let's everyone be honest here, I'm sure at least once or twice we've used a military term to describe something that has a total different meaning (Or you get that Huh?) to a civilian.

To us it's stupid to have Generals that close to the front, I'm however sure the Ukrainians have been very thankful that all those who've trained them since 2014 and somewhat earlier got them away from Russian Military Doctrine or else this could've been the case for them as well.

Russia has no real professional cadre in numbers, it is an army of under trained and inexperienced conscripts, they because of the last don't have a professional NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) branch to train and motivate the troops there is more however, but I'll end with the Officer Corps inability to delegate and communicate at the various levels/up and down the Chain of Command.

That's all OLD NEWS going back to WWII/Cold War/Afghanistan/First Chechen War (Less so in the Second Chechen War) and now the Ukraine.

However, a fair amount of John Q. Public doesn't read history and really isn't too concerned about what's going on in the world around them. I will also include in this para, the hundreds of active-duty service members and retired I see come through the gates every week from all service branches where the focus is what are doing this weekend.

We are outnumbered and surrounded by John Q. Public and it would do us well to remember that and just maybe most of the mainstream media might just be doing something to educate at a basic level John Q. Public providing they can break themselves and their thumbs away from playing a game, watching a movie, discussing last nights dinner etc. etc.; well on second thought, I appreciate the Mainstream medias efforts but for the most part I don't think John Q. Public really cares.

As a footnote when I was in the military (1982 -2002) those serving made up around 0.85-0.90% of the total population in the U.S. and that held true for about 10 yrs. after I retired.

Speaking to some Officers and Recruiters that number has dropped to about 0.7% partly due to the population decrease and other factors.

Anyway and not to take away from anything said elsewhere, those are my thoughts. And I'm not saying John Q. Public IS STUPID, just their interests are different and as much as Shrapnel Games, Andy and Don might wish otherwise, they're probably not interested in our games, forums or threads.

Governments, CIA, FSB, Mi6 and almost every major military I'm sure are following everything we're doing out here!?! :shock: :cool:

Anyway, some hackers or others rained on Putin parade and my translator is saying the same ...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...1821287414503b
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-...ost_type=share

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

No. The truth changes. The facts are objective. You take the facts and build a truth.

Like how from the two countries, one invaded the other while it was under no threat from it, yet it blames the defending country for it.
Then again Putin himself said just before the invasion that Ukraine does not exist, is not real and should "join" Russia. You know, like how Nazi Germany did just before the onset of the WWII.

This time, once again, Russia is the bad guy. Russia is the invading force. Russia is the evil that must be stopped. Everything else is just Putin's truth. The invasion is the fact.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Russian troops left Bucha on March 30. The mayor of the city recorded his video message on March 31.

I think that this and other war crimes should be investigated.

----
Next:

This is a video fact filmed by a Ukrainian soldier.

I didn't quote other posts in my post. I didn't write that it was the same old woman. In this video and others, you need to pay attention to a different opinion of other people with different views and a different life.
Why do I have a distorted opinion? Because this opinion does not coincide with your opinion? But even your opinion may be distorted.

Ok. Let's talk facts.
Russia launched a military operation to protect civilians in the Donets and Lugansk People's Republics.

Let's remember the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia 1999. Read about the reason for the attack:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_b..._of_Yugoslavia
Is there something in common?

Do you want to talk about made-up pretexts for attack? If you are interested in politics and the situation in Ukraine, then look for information about the number of Russians living in Ukraine, the status of the Russian language in Ukraine, Nazi processions on the streets of Ukraine, honoring SS veterans and the destruction of civilians (over the past 8 years) in the Donbass region. Western media (not all) prefer not to notice some events.

Putin is not going to annex Ukraine to Russia. He said the following (quote): "...It is not our plan to occupy the Ukrainian territory..."

If you are wondering what Putin really said on February 24 (text and video):
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/67843

You forgot to say that Nazi Germany also burned some books (including Jewish ones)... In some Western countries, Russian exhibitions, performances by Russian athletes, musicians are now banned, Russian names are being renamed, etc.

Why is Russia the bad guy? Good guys bombing Iraq, Libya, Yugoslavia?
NATO wars are one thing, but Russia's wars are another?

To live in peace, it is necessary to take into account the interests of all parties, otherwise a conflict similar to the "Caribbean crisis" may occur. An interesting article about "Indivisible Security". Read it (it's small):
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...raine-standoff

I'm trying to get you my point of view, but you call it propaganda or Putin's truth.
I hope someday the politicians will agree and end these wars.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

I stopped reading there.
If I were the owner of this site I would ban you right there.
I am not, so I am not going to continue reading more than this from your pathetic propaganda.
You managed to insert 4 lies in less than two lines of text. Congrats.
Don't reply to me again.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Maxim

Your time is coming to an end if for no other reason than what Wdll wrote but maybe you could explain why if .........

.....which as you and EVERYONE ELSE well knows are two breakaway states in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine:ukr ........that are within internationally-recognized Ukrainian territory

Why EXACTLY were the great heroes of mother Russia doing 900 km away in Irpin if all they were doing was "protecting civilians in the Donets and Lugansk"

??

Please do explain. We'd all like to hear what you have to say on that and DO try to confine yourself to that and only that question and keep the answer short.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

On the eve of the military operation, Russia recognized the independence of these republics.
One of Russia's goals is the demilitarization of Ukraine.
The objects of military strikes were also in Odessa, Lvov and other regions. NATO did the same on the territory of Yugoslavia defending Kosovo in 1999 (for example, they bombed Belgrade).

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

That's nice and irrelevant. That was the "excuse" to invade


Not doing such a good job of that. It was relatively peaceful but now it's THE most militarized place on earth and the cause of that is Ukraine's eastern neighbour


Not the same and you know it.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

I have noticed that few of the destroyed Russian armor seemed to be trying to use the terrain in a hull-down position. I believe the game does do Hull-down calculations based on adjoining hex terrain and a % but it is shot by shot, not a long term bonus like being in an emplacement.
Russian tanks because of their low profile and auto loaders do not as easily hull-down. Perhaps one take-away from the current news is this ability should not be allowed for those post T-55 era tanks built like that. (T-55/62/64/72/80...etc).
Also as each shot is displayed could a color/symbol/text indicate if a non-penetration was due to a hull-down advantage?

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Well if I learned one thing about Soviet made tanks is that they do "fantastically well" in dug in positions when they are facing anything that isn't unarmed civilians.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Not much if any advantage against a "top attack" weapon.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

Talking politics in real time, esp in the age of Information is a tricky affair. One thing I've learned from studying "War" is that there is rarely, if ever a white hat/black hat situation.

I am not justifying Russia's decision to invade. Personally I think its wrong. It sets a dangerous precedent. One the world knows only all too well from back in the 1930s. If we are honest however we know that wars like this have continued since the War to End all Wars, and the War after that. Heck, this game is devoted to simulating such conflicts. When I heard the news of the invasion, I felt that sick feeling...a feeling that I might be seeing the beginning of the end of what has been largely a big standoff since 1945 that has kept the peace.....overall, at least in terms of WWIII, nuclear bombs and all. There's always a smaller war going on somewhere. Some not so small but the "main players" were in the background.

That being said.....I'm reminded of Desert Storm. It was my first "war" as a real time civilian spectator. Having built a decent reputation speaking on past military matters with the wisdom of "hindsight" and having access to a lot more "Facts" than many will have when events are occurring as one speaks, I found myself suddenly, when asked "so what happens now?" to be at bit of a loss. Armchair Quarterbacking in it's finest form.

funny thing I also later learned about facts while doing Dev work. Its the ultimate buzz word on forums. Reality is, as I see it at least....is that Facts don't say anything. People use "facts", (when they are facts that is...) to make opinions......or create arguments, conclusions, etc etc. So after 20 years of seeing people at times get heated or try to needle others by saying things like "Well obviously you don't believe in facts...." or "The Facts say otherwise", I learned to counter such by saying simply. "no...I'm not arguing against the facts....I'm arguing against you....and your interpretation of said or alleged facts". Whether I'm right or wrong in my thoughts, I at least took away the Mantle of Truth veneer that the other person or persons were trying so hard to present.

Anyway. Just tossing that out there given its feeling a bit heated in this thread. Its a real time situation. people have strong opinions.

I would pose a rhetorical question though. I'm genuinely interested in reading some viewpoints on this.

Looking at the situation from Russia's viewpoint....is there a justification for the fear at the prospect of having members of a large Military Alliance at their borders along a wide front? Historically the USSR was big on "buffer states". The loss of Ukraine alone I can see how that would disenchant Russian leaders. Add the threat of NATO membership in the mix. Was the West perhaps a little too coy and/or inflexible? Or was a diplomatic solution never in the mix?

While NATO was at it's base an "Alliance", the same could be said of the Warsaw Pact. Both sides had their buffers. Sometimes I think things were simpler back in the 80s....if I can forget the same sense of fear of what "might happen" that was present.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

General question.
If someone steals the bike of a neighbour, does that justify me, a third person, doing the same or worse, to someone else? Would that stand in a court? Ethically? Asking for a friend. If someone defends me from doing this, how much of a douche do they sound like?

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

In this world, everyone should be prohibited from stealing bicycles, or everyone should be allowed.
The law is one for all (ideal situation).
But a rich and strong dad can always negotiate with the judge (like in a movie about bad guys).

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

1. I asked you to not reply to me again. I don't chat with tools.

Re: Updates in light of Ukraine war
 

This thread is now shut down as it has become far too political and adversarial.

That ends now. Comments/ suggestions regarding the game or OOB errors or news that impacts the game are welcome everything else not so much