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

[Thumpalumpacus]

Russian engineers unveil Rapira-3 air defense system armed with ten S-8 rockets to counter Ukrainian drones

Russian engineers unveil Rapira-3 air defense system armed with ten S-8 rockets to counter Ukrainian drones

www.armyrecognition.com

Nothing in that article about guidance. Spray-and-pray?

 

[GrauGeist]

This single tank, without apparent infantry support, slowly driving forwards and backwards doesn't seem to correspond with the Abram's intended doctrine.

The Ukrainians have used this tactic to good effect and the M1 would be well suited for this type of operation.

And I *almost* have pity for the poor SoBs on the pointy end.

*almost*

 

[Glider]

Up to 180K Russians flee Ukraine’s continued offensive

Kyiv’s forces advance further into Russian territory and have reportedly managed to repel Moscow’s attempts to reinforce defending troops.

www.politico.eu

My favourite part of this paper is: -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was briefed on Monday by senior military commanders, and was told by Oleksandr Syrskyi, the country's top general, that Ukraine controls about 1,000 square kilometres of Russian territory.

"The situation is under our control," Syrskyi said.

They really need to work on their definition of Situation is under control

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

This single tank, without apparent infantry support, slowly driving forwards and backwards doesn't seem to correspond with the Abram's intended doctrine.

It depends on how and why they're using it. Colorado, a Sherman on Tarawa, was also not used IAW doctrine, but where needs must, soldiers will.

 

[GrauGeist]

Therw has been several videos posted at funker530, showing the Ukrainians using this tactic.

Earlier in the war, the UAF 47th Mechanized had a T-80M that was seen doing this erratic (for lack of an official term) maneuver and was tearing Russians to shreds.

More recently, a Ukrainian M2 Bradley engaged a Russian tank in this fashion and overwhelmed the Russian tank's ability to target it while the Bradley's autocannon mauled the Russian tank's optics and sensors and eventually took it out.

 

[Escuadrilla Azul]

Putting the Kursk operation in context:

View attachment 792822

View attachment 792823

Institute for the Study of War

Ukraine's operation in Kursk Oblast has allowed Ukrainian forces to at least temporarily seize the battlefield initiative in one area of the frontline and contest Russia's theater-wide initiative.

understandingwar.org

That looks like a bulge, very exposed on the flanks. Hopefully, russians would not have enough resources to mount pressure there

 

[Ascent]

Therw has been several videos posted at funker530, showing the Ukrainians using this tactic.

Earlier in the war, the UAF 47th Mechanized had a T-80M that was seen doing this erratic (for lack of an official term) maneuver and was tearing Russians to shreds.

More recently, a Ukrainian M2 Bradley engaged a Russian tank in this fashion and overwhelmed the Russian tank's ability to target it while the Bradley's autocannon mauled the Russian tank's optics and sensors and eventually took it out.

I suspect that against a well trained and disciplined enemy this would not work, against the modern Russian army.....

 

[WARSPITER]

Putin has blamed Ukraines 'Western Masters' for the offensive into Kursk.

I thought Russia started it. Must have been misinformed ?

 

[Glider]

The Russian Command and Control problems seem to be continuing:-

A Russian Ka-52M helicopter mistakenly attacked a column of its own military vehicles in the Kursk region, leading to the destruction of two advanced Russian 2S19M2 Msta-S howitzers.

A Misidentification
According to Tech the incident reportedly occurred due to a misidentification by the helicopter crew, who believed they were engaging a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group.
Initial reports on Russian Telegram channels celebrated the supposed successful strike against Ukrainian forces, but these posts quickly disappeared as the reality of the situation became clear.

The Ukrainian side has since circulated remnants of these reports, highlighting the friendly fire incident.

A Significant Loss
The Russian Ka-52M, an advanced version of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, is a formidable piece of military hardware, equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon and capable of carrying a variety of missiles, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank projectiles.

Despite its cutting-edge technology, the helicopter's crew tragically targeted their own forces.

The destruction of the 2S19M2 Msta-S howitzers is a significant loss for the Russian military. Introduced in 2013, these self-propelled artillery systems are among the most modern in the Russian arsenal and are considered a potential threat to NATO forces.

 

[Glider]

Other quite significant issues.

Russian military units fighting in Ukraine are reportedly experiencing a severe shortage of drinking water, leading to attempts at filtering liquid from stagnant puddles, citing the UK Ministry of Defence.

"Damage inflicted during ongoing Russian strikes against utilities infrastructure is now almost certainly curtailing water supply. Any water supply issues will have been exacerbated by a period of above average temperature in the region," the report says.

According to the briefing, on July 23, a pro-Russian military blogger noted that water rations for Russian pilots had been limited to one liter per day. This is equivalent to a quarter of the minimum recommended water intake for working in high-temperature conditions.

As a result, Russian pilots have turned to locals for water. The blogger appealed to Russian water supply companies to provide additional water to Russian military bases in Rostov, Voronezh, and Crimea.

British intelligence reports indicate that in response to the water shortage, some Russian military units have been forced to improvise filtration attempts using stagnant puddles for their daily water needs. This has likely led to an increase in waterborne illnesses among Russian soldiers.

"This shortage of water leading to dehydration and increased risk of infection will almost certainly impact morale and operation effectiveness," the UK Ministry of Defence says.

 

[GrauGeist]

I suspect that against a well trained and disciplined enemy this would not work, against the modern Russian army.....

Depends on the situation, terrain, type and number of enemy being engaged, too.

 

[Admiral Beez]

A Significant Loss
The Russian Ka-52M, an advanced version of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, is a formidable piece of military hardware, equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon and capable of carrying a variety of missiles, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank projectiles.

I wonder how many Ka-52s of all variants Russia has left?

According to Wikipedia, prior to the invasion in 2022 Russia had 133 Ka-52s, but there's no info on how many of these were operational. I think we can assume at least 25% are permanently down for lack of spares or maintenance, so that's about one hundred operational Ka-52s total in 2022. In April 2024, Ukrainian media reported that Russia has lost about eighty Ka-52. So, that leaves about twenty operational Ka-52s in Russian hands, leaving Egypt as the largest operator of the type.

 

[GrauGeist]

Aparently, Russia is producing about fifteen Ka-52s a year (as of 2023).

At this point, I doubt any are for export, though Russia may try and sell a few for much needed cash.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Aparently, Russia is producing about fifteen Ka-52s a year (as of 2023).

At this point, I doubt any are for export, though Russia may try and sell a few for much needed cash.

Good point. Though Russia is not short on cash, at least in the immediate term. I expect Russian diplomats and agents are asking the likes of Egypt if they can buy back their Ka-52 or Peru's MiG-29s. There are hundreds of T-72s across Africa that could be repatriated for the right terms.

 

[Snautzer01]

Question: how much western tech is in that thing? I mean if there is a problem . Let alone the coke light top turrets, the tank range finders for good ol', vladi
Sure, one can replace domesticly but that did not pan out to be a winner now.
Nk is only good in stealing digital money so...
How much of a thread without western stuff?

 

[Escuadrilla Azul]

Ukrainian troops 'entered Russia's Kursk easily'

Ukrainian troops who entered Russia's Kursk this past week say they took the Russians by surprise.

www.bbc.com

 

[SaparotRob]

I suspect that against a well trained and disciplined enemy this would not work, against the modern Russian army.....

There's a modern Russian army?

 

[Greg Boeser]

There's a modern Russian army?

Contemporary.

 

[Glider]

I am sure that a number of you have picked up on the POW Ukraine have taken in their attack. A lot of them were conscripts, who Putin promised would not go anywhere near the front lines. Their mothers are starting to kick up a stink and it will be interesting to see how this pans out.
The few regular soldiers on the line basically ran, leaving the conscripts behind.

 

[GTX]

Maneuver is so back

Not that it ever went away

bafriedman.substack.com