Ukrainian Forces

[GastonGlocker]

Tanking around:

[arfah]

.......................

[GastonGlocker]

G.G. That vid was, "Tops."

My favourite track from the Rolling Stones.

Glad you liked it. Am wondering if that tank is as classic (old) as the Stones?

Am not an armor guy but am interested in feedback on the autoloader, good and bad.

[arfah]

........................

[ArmChairCivvy]

Ukraine can start to reorient their defence forces to normal border defence, rather than fighting "rebels" that have more back up artillery/ rocketry and plenty of UAVs and SAMs
- the below article would seem to confirm that the Russian side foresees an international border existing well into the future
http://uawire.org/news/russia-wants-to- ... v-aircraft

[ArmChairCivvy]

Looks like the project for federalisation of Ukraine is alive and well; the Russian Minsk-2 negotiator flying straight into Kiev despite being a person under Western sanctions (instated to promote Ukraine's cause and national integrity staying intact):

"Boris Gryzlov’s arrival in Kyiv let us give clear estimation. Despite that fact that Gryzlov is under European and American sanctions he was able to come to Ukraine violating those restrictions. Moreover, Russian government aircraft arrival and its landing in Kyiv have also violated Ukrainian sanctions which prohibit direct flights between the two countries. Talks in the territory of Ukraine between Gryzlov and Ukrainian actors including President Poroshenko are the serious violation of the sanction regime (it is worth to remark that the SBU (the Security Service of Ukraine) told to the “Apostrophe” that it hadn’t taken actions towards prohibition of Boris Gryzlov’s entry into Ukraine, - the “Apostrophe”’s note). By doing so Poroshenko has demonstrated to the whole world that Ukraine under his rule was not a part of the international legal framework of Europe and the USA"

The deaths of separatists leaders from "total organ failure" or other (unnatural) causes seems to be widespread, so widespread indeed that even on the other side the Ukrainian general who refused use of army against Maidan demonstrators "recently left the scene" through total organ failure.

On the other hand SIPRI is reporting massive stock piles of weapons on the rebels side (what is OCSE doing; they are there, on the spot?).
- military stalemate
> a "political" solution?

[ArmChairCivvy]

Not that it would be for the Ukrainian Forces to offer, but having taken place within Ukraine:
Has anyone been offered for interrogation yet, in the international criminal investigation into the downing of the Malaysian passenger plane?

Not likely, as they would be able to say
- who sent them there
- who gave them the "kit"
and all other kinds of awkward questions could get answers (that some folks do not want to become official).

[ArmChairCivvy]

No doubt the publisher of this book has an agenda
https://jamestown.org/wp-content/upload ... pdf?x87069
but it starts with a 50 page "cook book" of the methods Russia has been applying to its neighbours over the past decade
- then followed by a country bu country chronology (Ukraine having had to deal with the largest dosage as well as selection from that overall arsenal)

It is free to download, probably because the rest of the 400 pages are of perishable nature.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Ukraine seems to be breathing in a bit more relaxed way, as exports of MBTs have restarted. I wonder who is going to invade the Congo (for these to be of any use):
"According to the State Company “Ukrspecexport”, Congo signed a contract for repair and supply of 50 Ukrainian tanks T-64BV-1 in 2014. The first batch of upgraded T-64BV-1 tanks should have been delivered in 2014, but the due ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, tanks were delivered to Ukrainian armed forces instead.

The upgraded T-64BV-1 (also named T-64B1M) tanks are fitted with new built-in Nozh modular explosive reactive armor. Developers claim that this armor provides protection against tandem warheads and reduces penetration of APFSDS rounds by over 90%." from defence-blog

[LordJim]

The Ukraine never manufactured the T-64, and its army is concentration on T-80 variants, so probably has a fair few sitting around available to buy. It can however maintain and as here upgrade the platform. Why Congo want an MBT is beyond me though.

[ArmChairCivvy]

To Javelin, or not to Javelin - that is the Question:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pen ... ne-n789466

The fact that both sides have advanced SAMs has neutered air (jets, helos) from the early days - but not drones. If offensive use of tanks becomes a big risk, then the main decider becomes artillery, tube and rocket
- the range (normally from within Russian borders), would limit the conflict
- were the range to be extended by the use of advanced, heavy rocketry, then "deniability" of who is doing it would go downto a round zero

[LordJim]

I wonder if the US would fund the purchase of Israeli ATGMs etc. to Ukraine. Didn't they do a similar thing for Georgia?

[benny14]

US approving possible FMS to Ukraine of Javelins.

"The Government of Ukraine has requested to buy two hundred ten (210) Javelin Missiles and thirty-seven (37) Javelin Command Launch Units (CLUs) (includes two (2) Javelin CLUs to be used as spares). Also included are Basic Skill Trainers (BST); United States Government and contractor technical assistance, transportation, training and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is not to exceed $47 million."

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/uk ... unch-units

[Lord Jim]

I have a feeling that is the public numbers. I can see the Ukraine getting quite a few more as the US will be very keen to see how it deals with the latest? Russian hardware including the APS fitted. The more units have it the more data the US will obtain, and it will please the Republicans no end if it bloodies Putin's nose. Also with the counter battery radars being provided, the enemies artillery will have to think twice about how it operates compared to now where it can deploy as if on the firing range.

The biggest gain in all of this is the boost to morale it will give the Ukrainians, not just he kit received but that they feel they are being supported.

[ArmChairCivvy]

I have a feeling that is the public numbers.

Training started at least a year ago, so there must be a quick stockpile for sending over, somewhere in S. Poland? I mean, if the tanks start rolling... until then extreme caution has been exercised so as not to escalate in any way

[Lord Jim]

At least on one side!

[Frenchie]

https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/com ... m-ukraine/

All this is not serious, if the Ukrainians reconquer the Donbass and reach the Russian border through the support of the Americans, it is the war in Europe.

[Lord Jim]

Well that is an anything but objective news article.

[abc123]

Well that is an anything but objective news article.

Well, I consider it as a pretty objective atricle. Care to say why you don't think so?

[xav]

Ukraine’s Neptune Anti-Ship Missile, 360MTS Coastal Missile System Factory Trials

Ukraine's LUCH design bureau successfully completed the factory tests of the 360MTS coastal missile system with the R-360A Neptune anti-ship missile on April 5, 2019 at the Alibei State Testing Ground.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... ry-trials/

[xav]

Ukraine, France discussing delivery of OCEA FPB 98 patrol boats

Ukraine is currently negotiating with France for the joint production of 20 FPB 98 patrol boats designed by the OCEA shipyard, the Ukrainian government officially stated on June 29.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... rol-boats/

[ArmChairCivvy]

Reading the press it would seem more likely that Ukraine attacked the US by cyber means rather than that Russia attacked Donbass (+) and tried to push through to Mariepol, for a land bridge to Crimea (-)... so a draw then?
- And a very costly one, for both sides actually. There was meant to be a third front, in the North, towards Kiev, but the local oligarchs turned out to be more Ukrainian than just calculating cash machines, so that one never got off the launch bed.

Deniability has been far stretcted, but now the boats - openly captured in contravention to Freedom of Navigation - have been/ are being returned... so what next?
- will targeted assassinations, cyberattacks, trade embargoes, and disinformation campaigns continue at pace
- or will the economic ties be rebuilt, albeit at more modest scale (a licensing agreement in a/c manufacturing space augured well, but not much has followed)
- another coup has been manufactured in Moldova; will they now join Putin's EU of the East (and how, considering the transport links?)? Ukraine politely declined the offer, but that was a while back by now

[abc123]

Ukraine, France discussing delivery of OCEA FPB 98 patrol boats

Ukraine is currently negotiating with France for the joint production of 20 FPB 98 patrol boats designed by the OCEA shipyard, the Ukrainian government officially stated on June 29.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... rol-boats/

Great thing for stopping smugglers.

[xav]

Great thing for stopping smugglers.

Yeah because that's not what gonna stop the Russian Black Sea fleet

[abc123]

Great thing for stopping smugglers.

Yeah because that's not what gonna stop the Russian Black Sea fleet

I mean, never mind now the BSF, but seriously, some major REAL military assistance would be in order. Having Ukraine spend precious money on such stupid things like these patrol boats is NOT helping them. Just the opposite, it's sabotaging them and their war ( sorry, counter-terrorist ) effort.