Ukraine and the Russian invasion, 2022-25

[Chz]

It's two things, one the inadequate length of training, and two, the inadequacy of the training. As I've mentioned before, there has been a string of reports by ukrainian soldiers that if they had followed their nato training in combat they'd have been killed

AIUI, from a mate who was involved in Ukrainian training in Poland, NATO are fully aware that the training is inadequate and far too short. But this is at Ukrainian request. Well the shortness, not the inadequacy, but one follows the other really. He expressed that given the time limits involved they were lucky to stop them from killing each other (accidentally) before they went off to the front.

 

[TopCat]

Macron urging talks to bring the war to an end.

• French president, Emmanuel Macron, said on Monday that Ukraine needed to have “realistic discussions on territorial issues”, and urged Ukraine to consider territorial concessions. He called on the United States to convince Russia to enter negotiations, adding the “new American president himself knows the United States has no chance of winning anything if Ukraine loses”.

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says nearly 15,000 Russian troops have died in Kursk

Russia’s defence ministry claims capture of Kurakhove, a Ukrainian logistics hub which Russian forces have been advancing toward for months. What we know on Day 1,048.

www.theguardian.com

 

[TopCat]

AIUI, from a mate who was involved in Ukrainian training in Poland, NATO are fully aware that the training is inadequate and far too short. But this is at Ukrainian request. Well the shortness, not the inadequacy, but one follows the other really. He expressed that given the time limits involved they were lucky to stop them from killing each other (accidentally) before they went off to the front.

Bit more on the desertions. Bigger numbers than previously reported.

• Ukraine’s land force commander has admitted “problems” with an army unit trained partly in France, after many of its soldiers reportedly deserted.Commander Mykhailo Drapaty said that officials were aware of problems of staffing, training and command staff. Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation was investigating desertion in the unit and “abuse of power” by a military official. Drapaty said he “will not refute” reports made in December that 1,700 soldiers had fled the brigade without going into combat, and 50 had escaped while training in France.

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says nearly 15,000 Russian troops have died in Kursk

Russia’s defence ministry claims capture of Kurakhove, a Ukrainian logistics hub which Russian forces have been advancing toward for months. What we know on Day 1,048.

www.theguardian.com

 

[ska invita]

Amazingly honest turn of phrase from Macron
" United States has no chance of winning anything if Ukraine loses”.
.... The notion that the US is trying to gain something from it's long involvement in Ukraine is not something you hear often

 

[TopCat]

Meanwhile, at the front.

Russia claims capture of Ukrainian front-line town of Kurakhove

Ukraine has not acknowledged the fall of Kurakhove in the war-torn region of Donetsk.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[editor]

MOD MODE

Final warning: posters copying and pasting text with no source link included and/or no other comment will start receiving warnings.

 

[TopCat]

I still am puzzled by the use of so many of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in attacking the Kursk region of Russia.

At a time when their frontlines in the east may well collapse in part due to lack of troops, the Kursk adventure seems even more ill thought out.

Ukraine renews attack on Russia's Kursk region

It comes as Ukraine's president says only the US can provide security guarantees leading to an end to the war.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Chz]

I still am puzzled by the use of so many of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in attacking the Kursk region of Russia.

At a time when their frontlines in the east may well collapse in part due to lack of troops, the Kursk adventure seems even more ill thought out.

Ukraine renews attack on Russia's Kursk region

It comes as Ukraine's president says only the US can provide security guarantees leading to an end to the war.

www.bbc.co.uk

The best guess is that they regard it as a useful bargaining chip at the eventual peace talks. Russia won't accept - at all - a border that involves some of pre-war Russia being in Ukraine. So they probably reckon they can get some useful concession for going back to their border. Whether that's worth having pulled useful forces from elsewhere is a total guess though. I reckon it won't change a thing at peace talks beyond Russia saying "and get the fuck out of Kursk".

 

[Sir Belchalot]

I still am puzzled by the use of so many of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in attacking the Kursk region of Russia.

That’s because, like the Russians, you fell for the planted mass desertions story.

 

[CNT36]

MOD MODE

Final warning: posters copying and pasting text with no source link included and/or no other comment will start receiving warnings.

I haven't noticed any since your last warning. Cheers.

 

[ska invita]

MOD MODE

Final warning: posters copying and pasting text with no source link included and/or no other comment will start receiving warnings.

Has that happened today? I cant see any posts that do that?

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

The best guess is that they regard it as a useful bargaining chip at the eventual peace talks. Russia won't accept - at all - a border that involves some of pre-war Russia being in Ukraine. So they probably reckon they can get some useful concession for going back to their border. Whether that's worth having pulled useful forces from elsewhere is a total guess though. I reckon it won't change a thing at peace talks beyond Russia saying "and get the fuck out of Kursk".

It's also very useful for Russian people to be made to stop and ask why is Russia being occupied and why can't the mighty Russian army take it back? Make Putin look weak.

 

[The39thStep]

The best guess is that they regard it as a useful bargaining chip at the eventual peace talks. Russia won't accept - at all - a border that involves some of pre-war Russia being in Ukraine. So they probably reckon they can get some useful concession for going back to their border. Whether that's worth having pulled useful forces from elsewhere is a total guess though. I reckon it won't change a thing at peace talks beyond Russia saying "and get the fuck out of Kursk".

Rumoured to have been heavily backed/influenced by the UK after the incursions by the SBU controlled Russian fash. Once loosely packaged as part of Zelenskys victory thing and stating that he wanted the war finished in 2025 , it's now being lazily spun by some media coverage as trying to impress Trump. However, at the moment its neither Trump or Zelensky who are driving that timetable for negotiations.

 

[editor]

Has that happened today? I cant see any posts that do that?

Oh come on. Try looking back and there's plenty of recent examples. Apart from such practices being against the FAQ, it's pretty much impossible to hold down a decent level of debate if the thread is peppered with unattributed quotes and claims.

 

[TopCat]

That’s because, like the Russians, you fell for the planted mass desertions story.

Is it part of a cunning plan?

 

[Apocalypic Monk]

I still am puzzled by the use of so many of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in attacking the Kursk region of Russia.

At a time when their frontlines in the east may well collapse in part due to lack of troops, the Kursk adventure seems even more ill thought out.

Ukraine renews attack on Russia's Kursk region

It comes as Ukraine's president says only the US can provide security guarantees leading to an end to the war.

www.bbc.co.uk

Ukrainian actions and statements may make more sense in the context of the incoming US administration. Trump tends to see things in quite simplistic terms of being either a 'winner' or a 'loser', and Zelensky may believe that holding on to the Kursk pocket strengthens his hand with Trump. Zelensky's recent interview with Lex Friedman, where he was quite combative and sweary, may also have been an attempt to impress Trump.

 

[dilute micro]

The best guess is that they regard it as a useful bargaining chip at the eventual peace talks. Russia won't accept - at all - a border that involves some of pre-war Russia being in Ukraine. So they probably reckon they can get some useful concession for going back to their border. Whether that's worth having pulled useful forces from elsewhere is a total guess though. I reckon it won't change a thing at peace talks beyond Russia saying "and get the fuck out of Kursk".

I think it's that and also the ability to dictate the background.