"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (19 Viewers)

[Admiral Beez]

Of course the Russians will be angry at the introduction of Patriot systems. This will prevent them from murdering more civilians.

If their drones and missiles are reliably intercepted, the Russians will need a new way to accomplish the same.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Of course the Russians will be angry at the introduction of Patriot systems.

This will prevent them from murdering more civilians.

Let 'em protest. Russian anger has heretofore been unimpressive. They've waved nukes around since the beginning of this war. They won't resort to nukes over Patriots. This is bluster.

 

[wlewisiii]

 

[Admiral Beez]

British tanks used HESH rounds (squash head rounds) so rifling was ok.

Interestingly the British have chosen a variant of the smoothbore 120mm Rheinmetall Rh-120 for the Challenger 3. I believe this is the first British tank without a rifle main gun, and might be the first smoothbore breech-loading cannon used by the British since the SBBL 32-pounder from 1882 was retired in 1927.

Presumably, whatever MBT Ukraine fields postwar will be armed with a 120mm NATO equivalent main gun.

 

[WARSPITER]

Interestingly the British have chosen a variant of the smoothbore 120mm Rheinmetall Rh-120 for the Challenger 3. I believe this is the first British tank without a rifle main gun, and might be the first smoothbore breech-loading cannon used by the British since the SBBL 32-pounder from 1882 was retired in 1927.

Presaumblt whatever MBT Ukraine fields postwar will be armed with a 120mm NATO equivalent main gun.

HESH rounds have become less effective due to ERA and NERA protection over the years. A rifled barrel
isn't what you want with the other ammo types so it is a logical step to go smoothbore.

 

[GrauGeist]

A smoothbore gun also allows for PGM use.

 

[WARSPITER]

Interesting that ATGM use came into Soviet tanks due to everything being made lighter to keep weight down. This included the
barrel so higher pressure charges were not a good thing.

Nato type tank guns are beefier so a bigger charge isn't a problem. At one stage a longer calibre gun was an option for the
Abrams but the standard calibre with a more powerful charge did the same job so it stayed.

 

[hawkeye2an]

This just amazes me

 

[RogerdeLluria]

Better to start planing even if it is still many years away or even if it never happens (nice read by the way).

Preparing for the Final Collapse of the Soviet Union and the Dissolution of the Russian Federation

View PDF

www.hudson.org

 

[Admiral Beez]

Better to start planing even if it is still many years away or even if it never happens (nice read by the way).

Preparing for the Final Collapse of the Soviet Union and the Dissolution of the Russian Federation

View PDF

www.hudson.org

It will be a race between USA/EU/NATO and China to pick up the spoils and remnants of Russia's collapse. Once again the Great Game is centred on the 'Stans.

 

[GTX]

More on the same:

Ukraine accuses Russia of torturing children in Kharkiv as missile attack thwarted

Ukrainian authorities claim they have discovered evidence of children being tortured in territories formerly occupied by the Russian army.

www.abc.net.au

 

[RogerdeLluria]

Since the liberation of Kherson all has been relatively calm, maybe it will change with the advent of winter. Winter is coming

 

[GTX]

Russia’s New Theory of Victory

Christmas Day will be a grim milestone for the Ukrainian people. It will mark almost exactly ten months since Russian forces crossed into their country, bringing devastation on a scale not seen in Europe since World War II. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed. Millions have fled...

www.foreignaffairs.com

 

[GrauGeist]

Something you guys might find interesting:
The cross you see in the Ukraine Military flag in the background of Roger's post above, is called the "Cossak Cross" and has a long history in the region that is now Ukraine.

I find it very fitting, seeing as how the Cossaks were legendary for their ferocity on the battlefield.

 

[Snowman]

Better to start planing even if it is still many years away or even if it never happens (nice read by the way).

Preparing for the Final Collapse of the Soviet Union and the Dissolution of the Russian Federation

View PDF

www.hudson.org

Agreed, this is most realistic scenario. Add here thousands of armed criminals demobilized/deserted from the current war, wandering across the whole landscape.

And then the next 'Mad Max' will be documentary.

 

[RogerdeLluria]

Interesting analysis from a Russian propaganda arty vid.

 

[RogerdeLluria]

 

[fubar57]

Micrometeorite or..........you know who https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/soyuz-leak-1.6686911

 

[fubar57]

Again with the dire consequences.... https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-invasion-day-295-1.6686738

 

[Escuadrilla Azul]

Second part of the interview with Juice:

A MiG-29 Pilot’s Inside Account Of The Changing Air War Over Ukraine

Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot “Juice” details the morphing air war being fought above his country, where tactics and capabilities are changing fast.

www.thedrive.com