Ukraine 2021(?)

[Wdll]

Originally Posted by DRG

I am investigating a number of avenues none of which is making my life any easier ATM

IF some of the info I have is correct (IF) many of the "new" upgrades to the T-72 ( and T-80 ) are on old hulls given new ERA, and a host of other items

I have not found any info that the hull sides were given extra armour and IF THAT is the case then these upgraded T-72's while having a number of better bells and whistles still have a side hull in the 8-9 range IF these are old T-72's with the new gadgets added which would mean that yes indeed they would be vulnerable to a 30mm autocannon from the side which is a "really big deal" in RL and the game, especially in an urban setting.

That said there is still much we don't know because the info is not readily available and I am still digging for info'

We did discover a little "oopsie" in the code that has now been corrected in both games. When Country training is turned off and players can dial in a single value the display on the purchase screen only shows the changed EXP rating while MOR does not change but it actually does and that can be seen using the Roster screen in the game..... MOR does change along with EXP ( a couple of lines of code were // commented out that should not have been and it now shows the correct values entered for both)



As well, we are looking into a way to make that a two-part question that will allow EXP and MOR to be adjusted individually but the code for that is less than straightforward so no promises on that but we still remain "hopeful"

While clearly not the case with this encounter, I have seen in the past days videos and photos of "fake" era packages on Russian tanks. Either empty or not having actual explosives in them. I am not mentioning it for game purposes, after all I have no idea how that could be implemented in the game without more info. I just find it so weird and so...who knows how many yachts were bought instead of upgrading these units.

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by Wdll

While clearly not the case with this encounter, I have seen in the past days videos and photos of "fake" era packages on Russian tanks. Either empty or not having actual explosives in them. I am not mentioning it for game purposes, after all I have no idea how that could be implemented in the game without more info. I just find it so weird and so...who knows how many yachts were bought instead of upgrading these units.

It would not surprise me to learn the era packages were first pilfered before videos made.

[Mobhack]

Apparently, the HE found in Russian ERA blocks is quite the valuable trading commodity, often being sold off by units to "fishermen" for cash or booze. Thus the HE part is often not routinely fitted, also for peacetime safety reasons of course. Those things are after all live munitions like hand grenades so should not be filled until the baloon goes up.

As the invading units were "on excercises" before they got the orders to go into Ukraine, I wonder how many units went in with unfilled ERA blocks due to having no HE charges to fill them on hand (whether traded or routinely kept unloaded by safety policies), or insufficient time to load them while also bombing up the tanks with live war loads when they pivoted to actual war status?

[Wdll]

Not sure if it is real or not, but interesting dialogue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mlqC-c6Cw
Carrying 100s of bodies not being able to take them back.
Not having proper equipment.
Friendly fire.
Russian humor too.
A bit of everything.
Again, no idea if it is real or not.

[DRG]

Ukraine has banned reporting on troop and equipment movements not announced or approved by the military. Journalists who violate the law could face three to eight years in prison.

The restrictions come after Ukrainian authorities criticized social media users who posted photos or videos of troop movements. In a widely publicized case, a Kyiv resident was accused by the security services of posting images on TikTok showing Ukrainian military vehicles near a shopping mall that was later destroyed by a Russian missile strike. Russia alleged Ukraine used the site to resupply rocket artillery.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/ar...delay-in-talks

[Wdll]

Originally Posted by DRG

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/ar...delay-in-talks

I am surprised it took them this long.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I believe it was last Thur./or Fri. from either a CBS or CNN reporter and camera crew were interviewing a Ukrainian soldier (Rank unknown.) about Russian losses. They were by some railroad tracks with at least 3 or maybe 4 box cars. He took them inside of one of them and their appeared to be about 25 or 30 bodies he identified as Russian soldiers.

So much for "leaving no man behind" but it seems some of the conflicts are swift in nature.

Regards,
Pat

[shahadi]

This video posted on YouTube describes the various letter identifiers used on Russian vehicles.

https://youtu.be/gMh6Ml329VU

[shahadi]

Given the reckless statements coming out of Washington over the past several days; in particular language alluding to a regime change in Moscow is frightening. Furthermore, words signalling a change of policy where US forces will employ chemical weapons if Russian forces do is borne out by Biden saying something akin to responding in kind.

Given, these two statements alone, I hope the CNO knows where each Russian boomer is located.

[MarkSheppard]

RETAC21 on TankNet posted the following writeup on UKR forces:

Looked at this a bit, the Ukrainian Armed Forces started out with:

- 4 tank brigades (regular: 1, 17. reserve: 3, 4, 5): 1, 17 & 4 with T-64; 4 & 5 with T-72, plus a T-64 equipped independent tank battalion, each with 93 tanks

- 9 mechanised brigades (14, 30, 72, 24, 53, 54, 92, 93, 28): each with a tank battalion with T-64, and with the T-84s with the 14th brigade, each with a 31 tank battalion, except the 92nd which had 2.

- 2 mountain assault brigades (10, 128): each with a tank battalion (T-64)

- 4 motorised infantry brigades (56, 57, 58, 59): each with a tank battalion (T-64)

- 2 reserve mechanised brigades (63, 66): each with a tank battalion, but note the 66th was only active from april

- 2 Marine brigades (35, 36): each with a tank battalion (T-80)

- 6 air assault brigades, each with a 10 tank T-72 company

- 4th National Guard Brigade with a T-64 tank battalion

- the Azov regiment and the 9th NG operational regiment had a T-64 company each

So pre-war that makes 825 T-64, 10 T-84, 246 T-72s and 62 T-80 (1.143 total).

In 2017 Ukraine declared 1.818 tanks covered by the CFE treaty, the 2021 Military balance gives these numbers:

MBT 858:

410 T-64BV; 210 T-64BV mod 2017; 100 T-64BM Bulat (720)

100 T-72AV/B1; 33 T-72AMT (133)

5 T-84 Oplot

(34 T-80; 500 T-72; 578 T-64): 1.112 - it also note 20 T-55s but I guess these are memorials and such.

Losses, who knows... per Lostarmour/Oryx (assume these are about 50-70% of actual losses):

T-64: 211/280

T-72: 66/90

T-80: 24/37

Unk: 34

Supplies:

T-72: 386

M-55S: 28

So far I have seen the following newly set-up units:

- 3 infantry brigades (68, 71, Presidential)

- 1 Mechanised brigade (47) with M-55S

So, 1.818-880+386= 1.324 (without taking into accout tanks that may be damaged and non-operational) vs an establishment of 1.174.

So it seems to me that Ukrainian forces started out the war already understrength (75%), losses and vehicles needing repair would have further cut the numbers, and supplies topped up to establishment, at best. Since the Ukrainian Army was essentially a defensive force, much more would be needed to create a further offensive option (the additional 10 brigades mentioned by Ukrainian generals)