BlackMoria

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

Those guys from Khersonian territorial defense, who in first fierce days of war tried to defend own city with Molotov coctails and were shot out by occupants in Buzkovyi Park (eng. Lilac Park)... I hope, they are seeing now from own heavens, how an enemy is fleeing back through the Dnipro. They gave own lives for the sake of this day. 
This is about tragic episode, when on 1st of March 43 fighters of local 194th TD battalion tried to ambush Russian VDV column in the park, but because treason Russians knew about this and shot out them with BMD guns. Of course, this story already started to mythologize - they were armed not only with Molotov, but with AK and two old RPG-18 and even managed to hit one BMD, but knife Russian fire didn't leave chances for them - at least 18 were killed in the battle, which lasted about 30 minutes. 13 fighters could retreat to nearby factory, but Russian during mop-up shot dead more guys. Destiny of rest unknown. Several fighters were wounded, but could hide and survive, because Russians after the battle shot out wounded and after all have been sold bodies to their families for money. 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

In Canada, on this our Remembrance Day - besides remembering the sacrifice of Canadians in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions, I am also very aware of the huge loss of life in service of the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for their homeland and their people.  I am reminded all the time.  In Manitoba, our province has a immense Ukrainian Canadian  population and I can't go anywhere without seeing Ukrainian flags everywhere.  And a lot of Ukrainian Canadians returned to Ukraine to fight for their ancestral homeland.   Some will return home to Canada some day, others will not. The sad reality of war.
So on this Remembrance Day, I raise my stein as in past Remembrance Days and intone that simple ancient Norse toast - "To Our Honored Dead!"    I include all Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives thus far in that toast.   They have truly earned entry into the Halls of Valhalla.
 Sláva Ukrayíni!
 

+1 for the D&D reference!!  Been playing D&D in its various incarnations since 1974.  😆
 

All hail, our new dark overlord?!

All hail, our new dark overlord?!

These drones aren't in the category of "we put hand grenades on RC airplanes with inertial guidance systems".   Hand grenades don't do the damage in the photo.   These Iranian drones are more like modern versions of German V1s from WW2 that are propellor driven and smaller.  

Yes, objective and informed analysis should be our watchwords.... I agree.   If that is an anti-tank ditch and the forward infantry / vehicle dig ins are supposed to be in that tree line, the damn ditch is too damn close to the defensive works.  An anti-tank ditch needs to be close enough that it can be covered by supporting and directed fires from the defensive works but far enough out that the defenders can rain indirect fire from artillery or mortars on the heads of the attackers trying to win past the obstacle belt.   The ditch is ... what... about 100 metres from the treeline, there abouts. Far too close for indirect fire without suppressing or inflicting casualties on your own forces, give the inaccuracy of Russian artillery.
Properly prepared defenses are still a necessary component of the defense in the 21st century.   But the emphasis in on the word 'properly'.  My combat engineer buddy would look at that video and shake his head.

Yes, objective and informed analysis should be our watchwords.... I agree.   If that is an anti-tank ditch and the forward infantry / vehicle dig ins are supposed to be in that tree line, the damn ditch is too damn close to the defensive works.  An anti-tank ditch needs to be close enough that it can be covered by supporting and directed fires from the defensive works but far enough out that the defenders can rain indirect fire from artillery or mortars on the heads of the attackers trying to win past the obstacle belt.   The ditch is ... what... about 100 metres from the treeline, there abouts. Far too close for indirect fire without suppressing or inflicting casualties on your own forces, give the inaccuracy of Russian artillery.
Properly prepared defenses are still a necessary component of the defense in the 21st century.   But the emphasis in on the word 'properly'.  My combat engineer buddy would look at that video and shake his head.

My experiences in the Canadian military in winter exercises demonstrated that one can survive in quite harsh conditions but ALL of the below are essential to due so:
1.  High quality and well fitted personal clothing and footwear.  The Canadian military winter gear is very good.   I did have occasion while working with US forces and the UK forces to try their winter gear at the time I was in (mid 70s to mid 90s) and at that time the American and UK winter gear was crap.  Don't know about today's military gear.
2.  Knowledge - this is critical.  You have to know how to fight in winter conditions. How to fit and wear clothes in layers.  Take a layer of clothes off when you start to get sweaty.  How to build shelters.  How to move in the cold.  How to stay warm and DRY while lying prone in snow or on ice for periods of time while on the attack or defence.  Etc.,   And you learn by doing.  Theorycrafting how you get by in the cold just doesn't work.  You learn and modify and improvise your personal cold protection strategies by living and working in the cold.
3.  Mindset - if you think you are going to freeze your arse, you will freeze your arse.   Keeping a positive and stubborn mindset to see you through helps a lot.   Not easy to do at -40C but having all of the above and a positive mindset will see one through.
I have been on winter exercises like Brimfrost 85 were I live in the wilds of the Camp Wainwright ranges in Alaska for 30 days in January.   I have been on several exercises of several weeks duration with the Canadian Rangers in the very far north of Canada in Jan / Feb where I can recall on one exercise in particular, wind chills of -80C.  Without tents.  Each night was burrow into packed snow drifts with 4-5 other people each or we constructed igloos.   And it wasn't that bad a time, as long as you had the three points I outlined above in spades.
The russians do not have point 1 above, point 2 is most likely low or none existent and given the morale and other motivations of Russian forces, they lack point 3.   The basterds are going to have a very, very, miserable existence on the front lines once the cold hit in ernest.  A dare say, if a cold winter, the weather will be more of an enemy than the Ukrainian forces.

My experiences in the Canadian military in winter exercises demonstrated that one can survive in quite harsh conditions but ALL of the below are essential to due so:
1.  High quality and well fitted personal clothing and footwear.  The Canadian military winter gear is very good.   I did have occasion while working with US forces and the UK forces to try their winter gear at the time I was in (mid 70s to mid 90s) and at that time the American and UK winter gear was crap.  Don't know about today's military gear.
2.  Knowledge - this is critical.  You have to know how to fight in winter conditions. How to fit and wear clothes in layers.  Take a layer of clothes off when you start to get sweaty.  How to build shelters.  How to move in the cold.  How to stay warm and DRY while lying prone in snow or on ice for periods of time while on the attack or defence.  Etc.,   And you learn by doing.  Theorycrafting how you get by in the cold just doesn't work.  You learn and modify and improvise your personal cold protection strategies by living and working in the cold.
3.  Mindset - if you think you are going to freeze your arse, you will freeze your arse.   Keeping a positive and stubborn mindset to see you through helps a lot.   Not easy to do at -40C but having all of the above and a positive mindset will see one through.
I have been on winter exercises like Brimfrost 85 were I live in the wilds of the Camp Wainwright ranges in Alaska for 30 days in January.   I have been on several exercises of several weeks duration with the Canadian Rangers in the very far north of Canada in Jan / Feb where I can recall on one exercise in particular, wind chills of -80C.  Without tents.  Each night was burrow into packed snow drifts with 4-5 other people each or we constructed igloos.   And it wasn't that bad a time, as long as you had the three points I outlined above in spades.
The russians do not have point 1 above, point 2 is most likely low or none existent and given the morale and other motivations of Russian forces, they lack point 3.   The basterds are going to have a very, very, miserable existence on the front lines once the cold hit in ernest.  A dare say, if a cold winter, the weather will be more of an enemy than the Ukrainian forces.

My experiences in the Canadian military in winter exercises demonstrated that one can survive in quite harsh conditions but ALL of the below are essential to due so:
1.  High quality and well fitted personal clothing and footwear.  The Canadian military winter gear is very good.   I did have occasion while working with US forces and the UK forces to try their winter gear at the time I was in (mid 70s to mid 90s) and at that time the American and UK winter gear was crap.  Don't know about today's military gear.
2.  Knowledge - this is critical.  You have to know how to fight in winter conditions. How to fit and wear clothes in layers.  Take a layer of clothes off when you start to get sweaty.  How to build shelters.  How to move in the cold.  How to stay warm and DRY while lying prone in snow or on ice for periods of time while on the attack or defence.  Etc.,   And you learn by doing.  Theorycrafting how you get by in the cold just doesn't work.  You learn and modify and improvise your personal cold protection strategies by living and working in the cold.
3.  Mindset - if you think you are going to freeze your arse, you will freeze your arse.   Keeping a positive and stubborn mindset to see you through helps a lot.   Not easy to do at -40C but having all of the above and a positive mindset will see one through.
I have been on winter exercises like Brimfrost 85 were I live in the wilds of the Camp Wainwright ranges in Alaska for 30 days in January.   I have been on several exercises of several weeks duration with the Canadian Rangers in the very far north of Canada in Jan / Feb where I can recall on one exercise in particular, wind chills of -80C.  Without tents.  Each night was burrow into packed snow drifts with 4-5 other people each or we constructed igloos.   And it wasn't that bad a time, as long as you had the three points I outlined above in spades.
The russians do not have point 1 above, point 2 is most likely low or none existent and given the morale and other motivations of Russian forces, they lack point 3.   The basterds are going to have a very, very, miserable existence on the front lines once the cold hit in ernest.  A dare say, if a cold winter, the weather will be more of an enemy than the Ukrainian forces.

My experiences in the Canadian military in winter exercises demonstrated that one can survive in quite harsh conditions but ALL of the below are essential to due so:
1.  High quality and well fitted personal clothing and footwear.  The Canadian military winter gear is very good.   I did have occasion while working with US forces and the UK forces to try their winter gear at the time I was in (mid 70s to mid 90s) and at that time the American and UK winter gear was crap.  Don't know about today's military gear.
2.  Knowledge - this is critical.  You have to know how to fight in winter conditions. How to fit and wear clothes in layers.  Take a layer of clothes off when you start to get sweaty.  How to build shelters.  How to move in the cold.  How to stay warm and DRY while lying prone in snow or on ice for periods of time while on the attack or defence.  Etc.,   And you learn by doing.  Theorycrafting how you get by in the cold just doesn't work.  You learn and modify and improvise your personal cold protection strategies by living and working in the cold.
3.  Mindset - if you think you are going to freeze your arse, you will freeze your arse.   Keeping a positive and stubborn mindset to see you through helps a lot.   Not easy to do at -40C but having all of the above and a positive mindset will see one through.
I have been on winter exercises like Brimfrost 85 were I live in the wilds of the Camp Wainwright ranges in Alaska for 30 days in January.   I have been on several exercises of several weeks duration with the Canadian Rangers in the very far north of Canada in Jan / Feb where I can recall on one exercise in particular, wind chills of -80C.  Without tents.  Each night was burrow into packed snow drifts with 4-5 other people each or we constructed igloos.   And it wasn't that bad a time, as long as you had the three points I outlined above in spades.
The russians do not have point 1 above, point 2 is most likely low or none existent and given the morale and other motivations of Russian forces, they lack point 3.   The basterds are going to have a very, very, miserable existence on the front lines once the cold hit in ernest.  A dare say, if a cold winter, the weather will be more of an enemy than the Ukrainian forces.

My experiences in the Canadian military in winter exercises demonstrated that one can survive in quite harsh conditions but ALL of the below are essential to due so:
1.  High quality and well fitted personal clothing and footwear.  The Canadian military winter gear is very good.   I did have occasion while working with US forces and the UK forces to try their winter gear at the time I was in (mid 70s to mid 90s) and at that time the American and UK winter gear was crap.  Don't know about today's military gear.
2.  Knowledge - this is critical.  You have to know how to fight in winter conditions. How to fit and wear clothes in layers.  Take a layer of clothes off when you start to get sweaty.  How to build shelters.  How to move in the cold.  How to stay warm and DRY while lying prone in snow or on ice for periods of time while on the attack or defence.  Etc.,   And you learn by doing.  Theorycrafting how you get by in the cold just doesn't work.  You learn and modify and improvise your personal cold protection strategies by living and working in the cold.
3.  Mindset - if you think you are going to freeze your arse, you will freeze your arse.   Keeping a positive and stubborn mindset to see you through helps a lot.   Not easy to do at -40C but having all of the above and a positive mindset will see one through.
I have been on winter exercises like Brimfrost 85 were I live in the wilds of the Camp Wainwright ranges in Alaska for 30 days in January.   I have been on several exercises of several weeks duration with the Canadian Rangers in the very far north of Canada in Jan / Feb where I can recall on one exercise in particular, wind chills of -80C.  Without tents.  Each night was burrow into packed snow drifts with 4-5 other people each or we constructed igloos.   And it wasn't that bad a time, as long as you had the three points I outlined above in spades.
The russians do not have point 1 above, point 2 is most likely low or none existent and given the morale and other motivations of Russian forces, they lack point 3.   The basterds are going to have a very, very, miserable existence on the front lines once the cold hit in ernest.  A dare say, if a cold winter, the weather will be more of an enemy than the Ukrainian forces.

My experiences in the Canadian military in winter exercises demonstrated that one can survive in quite harsh conditions but ALL of the below are essential to due so:
1.  High quality and well fitted personal clothing and footwear.  The Canadian military winter gear is very good.   I did have occasion while working with US forces and the UK forces to try their winter gear at the time I was in (mid 70s to mid 90s) and at that time the American and UK winter gear was crap.  Don't know about today's military gear.
2.  Knowledge - this is critical.  You have to know how to fight in winter conditions. How to fit and wear clothes in layers.  Take a layer of clothes off when you start to get sweaty.  How to build shelters.  How to move in the cold.  How to stay warm and DRY while lying prone in snow or on ice for periods of time while on the attack or defence.  Etc.,   And you learn by doing.  Theorycrafting how you get by in the cold just doesn't work.  You learn and modify and improvise your personal cold protection strategies by living and working in the cold.
3.  Mindset - if you think you are going to freeze your arse, you will freeze your arse.   Keeping a positive and stubborn mindset to see you through helps a lot.   Not easy to do at -40C but having all of the above and a positive mindset will see one through.
I have been on winter exercises like Brimfrost 85 were I live in the wilds of the Camp Wainwright ranges in Alaska for 30 days in January.   I have been on several exercises of several weeks duration with the Canadian Rangers in the very far north of Canada in Jan / Feb where I can recall on one exercise in particular, wind chills of -80C.  Without tents.  Each night was burrow into packed snow drifts with 4-5 other people each or we constructed igloos.   And it wasn't that bad a time, as long as you had the three points I outlined above in spades.
The russians do not have point 1 above, point 2 is most likely low or none existent and given the morale and other motivations of Russian forces, they lack point 3.   The basterds are going to have a very, very, miserable existence on the front lines once the cold hit in ernest.  A dare say, if a cold winter, the weather will be more of an enemy than the Ukrainian forces.