Russia declares battlefield gains as NATO ramps up military equipment for Ukraine

Other reports are not as rosy for the Ruskies.

As myself and others have noted, FINALLY seizing Bakhmut, will not dramatically change the strategic dynamic. The UA lines remain in tact.

But Ukraine is in for a struggle to be sure. It must withstand this surge before it can take the initiative, and for the delay I hold NATO dithering accountable.

I wish that the Alliance would stop playing catch-up, become proactive rather than reactive, and give the UA whatever it needs to win this WAR decisively.

It's time for some members of the Alliance to remove the blinders and see the Russia for what it is and the threat it represents to Western democracy.

@NEMO and see the Russia for what it is

Including see the Ukrainian children that have been kidnapped and sent to camps in Russia, but Russia has long been known to be a nation where people have been sent o camps. Putin's Russia is little different in many ways from the days of the nastiest tsars. But for some reason there are those who see totalitarianism, and a return to the past, when things supposedly were 'great' and 'glorious' as preferable to progress and democracy.

Unfortunately the ongoing reports feel like Ukraine is on its last legs. The many reports of this Russian loss or that Russian setback are minor in the context of the overall war.

We heard the same thing last March.

Remember what you were saying last March? How much of that actually happened? Not much.

We heard the same thing last March.

And Ukraine did, and will again.

$100 billion worth of advanced game changing weapons later, Russia is still pressing forward, undeterred.

Because they’re stupid.

I wonder what Alina Kabaeva meant when she said Russian state media was a weapon of war.

Actually… No I don’t.

Hundreds and thousands of RuSSian marauders' lives terminated for a minimal gain.

But PUTAin and associates don't care, leaving even the last ones behind.

With more hi-tech military hardware coming to Ukraine in the next couple of days and weeks RuSSians will have to face the consequences - retreat, surrender or be shipped home in body bags.

Ukraine prevails!

Kaerimashita

Unfortunately the ongoing reports feel like Ukraine is on its last legs.

Really? The reports that I have been reading have been saying that Ukraine is making Russia pay a high price for their meagre gains.

The many reports of this Russian loss or that Russian setback are minor in the context of the overall war.

Except they include over half of the territory that Russia gained at the start of the war. That isn't minor. That is significant.

Bronco

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after the Brussels talks that Ukraine had a very good chance of taking and "exploiting" the initiative on the battlefield this year.

We heard the same thing last March.

And it proved to be overwhelmingly correct. Even you kept say "the failed attack of Kherson" over and over, until it was a successful taking of Kherson.

I find it interesting that when Ukraine official identified as Ukraine sites released the videos of ukrainians (again identified people) preparing chemical weapons equipped drones then using them on Russia troops.

MSM said nothing.

These are readily available on Ukrainian websites sites not shut down by the Ukrainian government sites actually approved by Ukrainian government and everyone praises it as the Russian soldier dies from gas attack.

Remember in March, Russia was running out of ammunition?

No Wait it was April, no June, no July, no, August, ................

But in reality it is Ukraine that is constantly out of weapons and ammunition, despite 35 counties supplying it.

Well as we know Only some weapons are making to the front the rest are invisible.

Antiquesaving

Zelensky admitted that the Minsk agreement was all fake so did Angela Merkel so what was the point we would be at war anyways because sooner or later Ukraine was going to invade the breakaway regions in which case Russia would have come to their aid anyways.

That's true. The Minks agreements aren't worth the paper they are printed on because Russia should never have been a party to them. Russia was belligerent, so why were they involved?! Answer me that.

And then Putin conducted his imperialistic invasion and ripped up the Minsk agreements.

Antiquesaving

Remember in March, Russia was running out of ammunition?

Yes. They are.

No Wait it was April, no June, no July, no, August, ................

Nobody said that they would run completely out, that would be ridiculous. But you keep repeating this straw man.

The evidence that they are running out is that their artillery attacks are using a fraction of the shells that they were using at the start of the war. There's your proof.

But in reality it is Ukraine that is constantly out of weapons and ammunition, despite 35 counties supplying it.

Yep. They always need more, and we should supply them with more.

Antiquesaving

I find it interesting that when Ukraine official identified as Ukraine sites released the videos of ukrainians (again identified people) preparing chemical weapons equipped drones then using them on Russia troops.

MSM said nothing.

That's because it is Russian disinformation.

That's because it is Russian disinformation.

Official Ukraine sites with identified Ukraine personnel.

Nope factual.

I find it interesting that when Ukraine official identified as Ukraine sites released the videos of ukrainians (again identified people) preparing chemical weapons equipped drones then using them on Russia troops.

Any proof, or are we just spouting more conspiracy nonsense again?

I find it interesting how yet again you're criticizing the Ukrainian people, whilst silent on Russian continuing their imperialist invasion.

Antiquesaving

That's true. The Minks agreements aren't worth the paper they are printed on because Russia should never have been a party to them. Russia was belligerent, so why were they involved?! Answer me that.

So now your argument is you knew Russia wouldn't follow the agreement so it was not important to implement it.

No, I'm saying that Russia shouldn't have been allowed to be a signatory to it. They should not have even been in the room.

And it isn't 'So now'. It's always been the case.

@kaerim The many reports of this Russian loss or that Russian setback are minor

Once again no mention of the dozens of thousands of Russians killed or maimed in Putin's war, nor of the dozens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians killed and made houseless consistently ignored by the compassion-free, anti-democracy, anti-west extremists.

Battlefield gains are one thing - holding on to occupied territory is another, especially when the ground gained is a wasteland and not the soldiers' homeland because then motivation to fight will be weaker while fear of death stronger. Ukrainians won't win them all, but they will still prevail provided they continue to pursue their strategy of making browbeaten Russian soldiers "tired of winning".

Winning battles is not winning wars. One year since Putin's war began which he said would soon be over for his victory. Many people in Russia are being given long prison terms just for speaking out against the war. If calling it a war can lead to prosecution. No freedom of speech.

Treaties by the Russians can not be trusted. They never honour them.

We heard the same thing last March.

And it happened, didn't it. Ukraine forces made big gains in the east and south. The lines have been mostly static since fall but all last summer the Russians lost territory. Ukraine Army took back Kherson and pushed the Russians back across he Dnipro River. They took back Kharkiv Oblast and made gains in Luhansk.

Something I found interesting is that the Russian tanks have miserable visibility for the crew. Even in open terrain where you would expect armored vehicles to be spread out the Russians advance in tight single file columns. It seems, based on what actual users of these tanks say, their visibility is so poor the tank drivers can only really see the tank in front of them. Visibility to the side is very poor. As a result their crews don't have enough situational awareness to spread out across the battlefield in the manner of western armored assaults. Tanks in tight columns are easy pickings for artillery and ATGM gunners and from some videos out there Russian armor is taking another beating at the hands of the Ukrainians.

196 billion dollars just from the USA and this result to date is considered “winning”?

No, I'm saying that Russia shouldn't have been allowed to be a signatory to it. They should not have even been in the room.

So that way Ukraine was going to accept the agreement?

You don't make sense, if Ukraine never had the intention of following through with the agreement then Russia being there or not makes no difference as Ukraine was planning on a war to retake the region anyway.

And we know for a fact Ukraine, Germany, the USA all lied and by that simple fact this war was inevitable either Russia or Ukraine was going to attack in the area.

Again your argument doesn't make sense for the simple reason Ukraine was planning on retaking the territory by force whether Russia was part of the agreement or not.

Only thing that bothers you and the others is Russia beat Ukraine to the punch before Ukraine could launch its retaking of the territory.

Which would have brought Russia in anyway because of the plan to retake Crimea.

So sorry but by his own admission, Zelensky has said this war was going to happen anyway.

The Russian Army doesn't seem to be able to coordinate artillery with armor, infantry, helicopters and their surveillance assets for a combined arms effect. Their tactics so far have been to pound Ukrainian lines with artillery and send wave after wave of infantry most often right over the bodies of the previous wave of infantry, poorly trained convicts and new recruits used as human waves. No tactics to speak of, just plodding brute force. The Ukrainians have been chewing the Russian infantry up albeit with tremendous ammunition expenditure.

Sometime this summer you are going to see Ukrainian forces show the Russians what combined arms warfare looks like. Think Desert Storm.

Antiquesaving

No, I'm saying that Russia shouldn't have been allowed to be a signatory to it. They should not have even been in the room.

So that way Ukraine was going to accept the agreement?

You don't make sense, if Ukraine never had the intention of following through with the agreement then Russia being there or not makes no difference as Ukraine was planning on a war to retake the region anyway.

You aren't listening. Russia shouldn't have been there and should not had influence on the contents of the agreement. Russia was a belligerent, and not an impartial mediator.

Ukraine need upward of 50 billion economically, including military aid ,no more blank check

@QZaving Nope factual.

When those that have repeatedly posted disinformation and misinformation claim something might be 'factual', maybe their fellow believers in alternative facts might believe them, but reasonable people won't, but then reasonable people are not their intended audience.

This is just false: https://www.ifw-kiel.de/topics/war-against-ukraine/ukraine-support-tracker/

196 billion dollars just from the USA and this result to date is considered “winning”?

Blacklabel - where are you getting that figure from?

196 billion dollars just from the USA and this result to date is considered “winning”?

This is so laughably false as to not merit a response.

And it has no clue as to what winning constitutes in spite of having it explained several times.

Blacklabel

196 billion dollars just from the USA and this result to date is considered “winning”?

Fake.

The US has given Ukraine $18 billion.

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12040

and $23 billion in weapons.

https://www.cfr.org/article/how-much-aid-has-us-sent-ukraine-here-are-six-charts

196 billion dollars just from the USA and this result to date is considered “winning”?

Worth every single penny. The Russians have lost 1/3 to 1/2 of their total inventory of tanks and a similar proportion of their armored fighting vehicles. If the war ended tomorrow the Russians would need more than a decade to replace their losses. They can't sustain these losses.

If the Russians win in Ukraine it will be exactly like Hitler taking Czechoslovakia. In a year or two the war will be on America's shores. Maybe you don't get it, but this is existential for the US. Russia has to lose or the war will only expand into NATO territory and likely become a nuclear war.

But it strikes me as if you would prefer Russia wins. Please tell us if that is true.

DT,the first strategy of war is launching a decapitation strike against the leadership ,which is legal under war,under the command and control leadership of ,deny your adversaries political legitimacy and not entertaining guest,all these world leaders that visit are legal target under war

This article shows how much various nations have pledged to aid Ukraine. The US total is $51.2B, of which $24.5B has gone to military aid, $16.1B in financial aid and another $10.6B in humanitarian aid. I have no idea where the $196B figure quoted elsewhere came from.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/15/infographic-how-much-have-nato-members-spent-on-ukraine

Appeasement didn't work and before long US service members were fighting and dying in Europe to push Hitler back. It could happen again if a Russian victory in Ukraine makes the Russians feel empowered.

This is the reason why Russia cannot be let to win in Ukraine for any reason. They must be evicted from Ukraine, either on their own two feet, or in body bags.

I got it - this $$196 billion news. People still believe in it, since .....

...... FOX news it is!

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-leads-rest-of-the-world-196-billion-ukraine-war-russia

More reliable and trustworthy sites indicate roughly $$50 billion, not just for weapons!

Ukraine prevails!

Vladimir Putin: (walks towards map of Ukrainian terrain) "Look, this is the amount of land we've captured since yesterday."

Lieutenant George: "Oh, excellent."

Vladimir Putin: "Uuummmmm....What is the actual scale of this map, Darling?"

Captain Darling: "Um, one to one, sir."

Vladimir Putin: "Come again?"

Captain Darling : "Um, the map is actually life size, sir. Its got quite a bit of detail, look there is a little worm there!"

Vladimir Putin: "So the actual amount of land we've taken is.....?"

Captain Darling: (takes out tape measure) "Excuse me, sir.....(measures) Seventeen square feet!"

Vladimir Putin: "Excellent. So you see, all those men didn't die in vain after all."

I do not know why the truth hurts here ,unless you are in denial that Ukraine will not evict Russian in the foreseeable future,why is this story here day after day,why is not other conflict in Africa not covered ,this why the war started in the first place , Ukrainain denial of Putin intent, Ukrainain were ill prepared,when they were forewarn of an Invasion,let this be lesson for Japan

European are using Ukrainain as a sacrifical lamb,if they cared about Ukrainain,they would launch and invasion against Russia,with their own army on Russian soil,they are satisfied,with hiding behind the US power,that the only thing stopping Russian,from their flexless butts

Yrral

I do not know why the truth hurts here ,unless you are in denial that Ukraine will not evict Russian in the foreseeable future

And what evidence do you have to back up this claim? What is your reasoning?

Are you aware that Russia lost about half of their usable tanks in the last year? If they keep going at that rate, they won't have any by the end of the second year in Ukraine.

Ukraine lost most of their infrastructure

Ukraine lost most of their infrastructure

It will be built back better with seized Russian assets.

An independent and rebuilt Ukraine can tell the Russians “Thanks! You guys are the best!” While they wave with a single finger (guess which one?) as if to say “You're number one, Putie!”

Russia will make gains in its spring offensive, there is no doubt of that. Doing so will expend alot of resources, men and materials. Just how much they will gain is unknown. They will not defeat Ukraine with their spring assault. Ukraine will use up resources defending and limiting Russian gains. Then in summer the Ukraine offensive will steamroll as it did last summer, fighting exhausted Russian troops with new MBT's, IFV's and fresh troops who have been trained on the use and tactics with the newer modern weapons. This back and forth conflict will go on until Putin comes to the realization it will not end until he withdraws.

European are using Ukrainain as a sacrifical lamb,if they cared about Ukrainain,they would launch and invasion against Russia,with their own army on Russian soil,

Invade Russia and get nuked. If they are going o lose their nation then they have nothing else to lose and they take out Europe. Do you even understand what you write when post such utter nonsense?

the first strategy of war is launching a decapitation strike against the leadership ,which is legal under war,

And when was the last time anyone did that? Anyone? Larry's first strategy of war is invalid in reality.

Ukraine lost most of their infrastructure

Not even close. Seriously, you cant believe such rubbish can you?

Actually the Russians tried to assassinate Zelenskyy during the opening attack on Ukraine..

As their original goal was regime change, getting rid of Zelensky one way or another was a goal. But it failed. When was the last time anyone actually did it and accomplish it?

Hopefully the Ukrainians are getting the weapons and tools they need in time to drive these ruthless invaders out of their country.

Go Ukraine! Drive those monsters out!

Blacklabel - where are you getting that figure from?

The Ukrainian government report of countries and how much they received from each country.

https://www.president.gov.ua had it, the Associated Press made a chart of it which Fox News then reported on a few days ago.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-leads-rest-of-the-world-196-billion-ukraine-war-russia

what "seized Russian assets"? they supposedly cant even afford socks or blankets for their soldiers.

They dont even have hamburgers at their McDonalds, or tanks, or missiles or bombs or anything.

So where is 1 trillion dollars going to be seized from?

Blacklabel

what "seized Russian assets"? they supposedly cant even afford socks or blankets for their soldiers.

They dont even have hamburgers at their McDonalds, or tanks, or missiles or bombs or anything.

So where is 1 trillion dollars going to be seized from?

I would have thought that was obvious. The oligarchs.

I would have thought that was obvious. The oligarchs.

so you will take all of someone's money just because they are Russian? 75%? half their money?

How do you determine whose you take, who might be exempt, and how much?

Do you take it by force or do you just ask for it?

under what and whose authority do you just take someone's personal money due to what country they are a citizen of?

Sounds super implausible that this could or would lawfully happen.

so "Russian oligarchs" have 1 trillion dollars amongst them that they are expected to just turn over to anyone whenever they are told.

this I did not know.

So it’s not just concerned about taxpayer funds, but about the ill-gotten funds of the invader as well.

How very fiscally responsible, lol.

One could almost mistake it for carrying water for a fascist invader….

Never seemed to bother it when there were ludicrous claims of “Mexicans will pay for the wall!” (They didn’t)

This whine is easily recognizable for the double-speak drivel that it is.

Oh, and incorrect on both the nature of the frozen funds and the legality of utilizing them as well.

So there’s that too…

Finally the outcome of every war has something to do with outnumbering, not with a few superheroes and not with a better reception of news or propaganda. So in fact only the numbers count and speak for themselves. If Russia holds 18% of the area and moves forward some meters or kilometers a day, and has more soldiers, weapons and ammo for those weapons, where exactly do you see a soon to come victory for the Ukraine? But anyway, they have all to be forced to stop that war immediately. It brings everyone and all societies to the edge soon, not only Ukraine and Russia themselves, also everyone else is somehow affected here, be it only more tax paying for higher defense budgets in a phase of already emptied purses due to post pandemic, hyperinflation and other severe economic distortions in supply chains, logistics or employment and much more.

but about the ill-gotten funds of the invader as well.

lets say someone owns a shipping company or owns a chain of hotels or restaurants, legally made money and happens to be Russian.

How is it now "ill gotten gains"?

Are you sure you want to just take things based on nationality?

The longer NATO continues to arm Ukraine, the longer this conflict will last. As the conflict continues, the casualties are disproportionately on the Ukrainian side, and Russia is in no rush to end it. If they see that NATO has no intention to stop arming Ukraine, Russia will continue the conflict in order to further weaken the Ukrainian military.

Good to see you asking questions, Blacklabel. Here is a decent primer:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/how-does-the-u-s-take-ownership-of-russian-oligarchs-assets

not the how or the excuses how they can....but the WHY.

My country has illegally invaded several countries. No one came to me and tried to take all my money and assets as "ill gotten" gains just because I am American.

Of if they did, I wasnt home when they stopped by.

according to the link, criminal forfeiture = no. administrative forfeiture also = no

only civil forfeiture-

The government would need to (1) establish a crime and (2) trace the property to it.

so whats their crime, the leader of their country decided to invade another country? how was their yacht involved?

its basically they go steal the property and its not worth the oligarch's time to fight to reclaim it.

plus I really dont believe there are 1,000 yachts/mansions that are worth 1 billion dollars each belonging to Russian oligarchs to begin with.

Blacklabel - Sanctions may take a while to bite, but when they do....

Why do you think the Russians and their supporters on this site have been so vocally opposed to sanctions?

The 'Why?'

Because Russia invaded Ukraine and these individuals have been determined to support that effort. Russia has sanctioned probably hundreds of Western individuals as well and any assets that Russia can seize will be seized.

Blacklabel

I would have thought that was obvious. The oligarchs.

so you will take all of someone's money just because they are Russian? 75%? half their money?

Yep! All of their money that is outside of Russia that we can take. It seems fair, because these oligarchs and Putin prop each other up. Putin considers that money as his because he could take it at any time. Ask Khodorkovsky about how that works.

That's correct. This is civil. Similar to when cops find and confiscate large amounts of cash in traffic stops that might be linked to drug dealing. You can go to court to get it back, but then the burden of proof is you to prove the funds are legit. The oligarchs may opt to do this, but they might not like to visit the US right about now.

and all of you are ok with the crime = "they are Russian".

Wonder how you will like that when its your nationality's turn.

It's not just that they are Russian. They are linked to Putin's regime. The one that invaded Ukraine and is trying to erase her identity. There are consequences and repercussions in this life.

Similar to when cops find and confiscate large amounts of cash in traffic stops that might be linked to drug dealing

odd you would mention this program, as it has also been the subject of heavy abuse by police.

They know they can keep it if they take it and they want money for new equipment so they arent interested to hear anything from the person they take it from or to allow them to prove something in order to get it back.

People are out there trying to take 1 trillion dollars for Ukraine. If someone has 10 billion of something do you really think they will fairly evaluate that person's actual involvement in the invasion and the source of the money, or will they just take the money.

I know what I believe will happen.

Anyway, each is entitled to their own opinion, so whatever. Im not crying over oligarchs they have money, they can handle it.

and all of you are ok with the crime = "they are Russian".

Wonder how you will like that when its your nationality's turn.

Womp Womp, lol.

Just carrying water for a fascist thug and his criminal rubes.

Venezuela and Cuba have seized US assets in the past. Probably others have too, but too lazy to search atm.

I know you are a big enemy of corruption as you have mentioned many times. Just think of it like we are helping Russia with their corruption problem, even if ever so slightly.

 give the UA whatever it needs to win this WAR decisively.

Naive. Unfortunately that is not the goal. Why do you think the supplies aren’t there for the UA to win decisively?

There is definitely a desire in the West to prolong the war as long as possible thereby to clear out the tanks and other inventory. The military industry has a plan.

An entity planted the bomb 8 full months before the Ukraine war to blow up Nord Stream. It was premeditated and is an act of war against the European Union, notably against Germany and the other countries having chipped in to build them, but also against all EU citizens paying a gas bill every month. Yet nothing is being done.

The European countries individually are dwarfed by the US and depend on the US for their security. Ainiku, countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Japan are US satellite states.

For those who think Japan is weak against the US, take a look at yourself.

How does the perpetrator explain to Germany?

a) Tell the Germans too bad, now you know who’s boss.

b) Tell the Germans we didn’t do it. Putin did.

c) Tell the Germans this is collateral damage of war. Too bad.

d) Tell the Germans we can bomb anything we want.

e) Tell the Germans too bad you have to pay for it.

Blacklabel

and all of you are ok with the crime = "they are Russian".

Nope. Crime = They are in league with Putin.

Eastman - the goal isn't to defeat Russia like you may be thinking. Just to push Russia out from where they don't belong. Entirely doable. Afghanistan took 10 years in the 1980's, Ukraine can do it in less than that, I will bet.