"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (5 Viewers)

[ThomasP]

Although it is an evil way to think, people are currently easier for the Russians to replace than their more sophisticated equipment like aircraft, therefore it is better to conserve their air assets until needed and expend people in the fighting as long as possible/necessary. Evil but potentially effective if you have enough people - particularly in a war of attrition.

 

[Admiral Beez]

My Uncle Bruce (USAF), who was stationed in Turkey back in the late 80's, had mentioned some of the Soviet helos and fixed wing that he saw up close were "absolute sh*t" in his words.

I expect the ex-Soviet helos provided to Ukraine by NATO, including eleven Mi-17s from the USA were some of the best maintained and condition on the planet. It would have been interesting to hear from the USAF logisticians and mechanics that had to support and maintain these helicopters on how they compared to US-origin helos.

 

[Admiral Beez]

The helos seems to be out in force (at least more than before):

Ukraine's Armor Appears To Have A Russian Attack Helicopter Problem

Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters' presence at the front highlights the need for highly mobile and survivable short-range air defenses.

www.thedrive.com

I would think the MANPADS-heavy AFU would be hunting such attack helos? Where are the Gepards and mobile air defence?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I would think the MANPADS-heavy AFU would be hunting such attack helos? Where are the Gepards and mobile air defence?

And the piss poor way the Russians are using their helicopters makes them an easy target for Manpads.

It's amazing how they never learn from their previous conflicts, or try to emulate other western powers that have it figured out.

 

[WARSPITER]

It may be part of a drawing out process. Make the Russians deploy their helicopters and then knock them down, lowering
their defensive capability even further.

 

[Admiral Beez]

And the piss poor way the Russians are using their helicopters makes them an easy target for Manpads.

The article above suggests the Russian attack helos are taking a toll on Ukrainian armour due to a lack of air defence.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The article above suggests the Russian attack helos are taking a toll on Ukrainian armour due to a lack of air defence.

Thats a possibility too, but it I recall correctly they are taking heavy losses of helicopters, and that is because of the way they are using them.

 

[RogerdeLluria]

The question of ongoing maintenance becomes a large issue here. As pointed out, the build quality in the first place isn't the same standard as NATO
users would expect.

Given that, what is the lifetime of engines etc with the sorties already being flown as per Jabberwocky ? How reliable is the ability to replace or
repair the worn out / failed systems which must occur during use in normal flight, let alone combat ? In other words, how much of the Russian
force is being grounded each week / month just by being flown and how much can be refurbished to go back up ?

No idea of the quality of parts or actual build. Others here probably know.

I guess that, being of Soviet origin, Ukrainian airplanes face similar issues. With the inconvenient that they cannot order replacement engines or other spares to Russia.
I bet that is the real motivation to switch to western airplanes. Sooner or later Ukraine Migs and Sukhois will be grounded due to lack of spares.

 

[RogerdeLluria]

View: https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1669608407777566725

 

[WARSPITER]

I guess that, being of Soviet origin, Ukrainian airplanes face similar issues. With the inconvenient that they cannot order replacement engines or other spares to Russia.
I bet that is the real motivation to switch to western airplanes. Sooner or later Ukraine Migs and Sukhois will be grounded due to lack of spares.

Good point which may mean externally supplied aircraft may tip the scales.

 

[RogerdeLluria]

He forgot to mention 26 Patriot systems and 87 HIMARS launchers ...


View: https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1669709262694629377

 

[Admiral Beez]

View: https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1669608407777566725

I'd support Canada sending another eight or more Leopard 2s. We don't need them.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

June 16 (Reuters) - Russian troops who have destroyed German-made Leopard tanks and U.S.-supplied armoured vehicles being used by Ukraine will receive bonus payments, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

The ministry said this was part of a wider reward scheme under which more than 10,000 Russian servicemen had received individual bonuses since the start of the war nearly 16 months ago.

On the basis of reports from Russian field commanders, "payments are currently being made to servicemen of the Russian Federation Armed Forces who in the course of military operations destroyed Leopard tanks, as well as armoured fighting vehicles made in the USA and other NATO countries", the ministry said.

Russian troops to get bonuses for destroying Western tanks

Russian troops who have destroyed German-made Leopard tanks and U.S.-supplied armoured vehicles being used by Ukraine will receive bonus payments, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

www.reuters.com

No wonder Putin's numbers are so exaggerated -- he's given his soldiers perfect motivation to overclaim.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Where are the Challengers? Perhaps being held back for the big move.

 

[WARSPITER]

The ministry said this was part of a wider reward scheme under which more than 10,000 Russian servicemen had received individual bonuses since the start of the war nearly 16 months ago.

For turning up ?

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

For turning up ?

For keeping their rifles.

 

[Admiral Beez]

One of the great benefits to Western civilization of the (distant?) future decline and end of its reliance on fossil fuels will be returning the Middle East back to its irrelevance.

UAE president tells Russia's Putin: we wish to strengthen ties

The president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow, told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that his nation wished to strengthen ties.

www.reuters.com

Ukraine will not forget who its friends and who the Russia-enablers were.

The UAE is on team Russia in war against Ukraine

COLUMN. The United Arab Emirates helps secure key transactions for the Russian offensive against Ukraine, while Dubai has become a haven for oligarchs targeted by Western sanctions.

www.lemonde.fr

 

[RogerdeLluria]

One of the great benefits to Western civilization of the (distant?) future decline and end of its reliance on fossil fuels will be returning the Middle East back to its irrelevance.

According to International Energy Agency`s World Energy Outlook 2022 oil demand will peak somewhere between 2024 (optimistic scenario) and 2035. Have in mind however that this is global data. Most probably western countries demand will peak earlier. Anyway this is just a prediction and it may change in World Energy Outlook 2023.
Notice for instance how the forecast for Russia changed from 2021 to 2022

 

[Dimlee]

(Google Translate)
"The armed forces are tasked with orientation training for Ukrainian pilots and associated aeronautical personnel on the JAS 39."

Tolfte stödpaketet till Ukraina

Regeringen har beslutat om ett nytt stödpaket till Ukraina som presenterades på mötet med Ukraine Defence Contact Group i Bryssel 15 juni 2023....

www-regeringen-se.translate.goog

 

[Admiral Beez]

It's too bad Sweden didn't sell Gripens to Ukraine before the war.

Ukraine’s Air Force rebuilds amid war

VASYLKIV and VINNYTSIA, Ukraine — On a chilly morning in early spring, humid mist and low clouds… - Mar. 15, 2019. By Illia Ponomarenko

www.kyivpost.com

"Plans to launch the licensed production of Swedish-designed Jas‑39 Gripen fighters in Lviv, mulling since 2014, eventually ended in nothing. "