Probus

+1

@Battlefront.com or if someone else knows, I am being told by a friend that when Germany re-unified that the West secretly (at the time) promised Russia that NATO would not "expand" further East. Is this true? Does someone have a source for these (declassified) documents? This had the effect of allowing Russian Hardliners (like Putin) to get into power in Russia, pointing at the West and saying "See, you can't trust them". This was the first I'd heard of this, water under the bridge now but is unfortunate if true. Although it doesn't justify Russia's blatant and unlawful attack on Ukraine, I could see where allowing nations like Poland and others into NATO is kinda like pokin' the Bear and giving hardliners political ammunition to use in their arsenal. This has been the only argument against the West I've heard that is very troubling (if true). https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/feb/28/candace-owens/fact-checking-claims-nato-us-broke-agreement-again/ https://www.france24.com/en/russia/20220130-did-nato-betray-russia-by-expanding-to-the-east I've also read much of Bloodlands which makes me think that Ukraine is very justified in wanting to become part of NATO. That poor area was stuck between Hitler and the USSR, both of which seemed to want to destroy a significant part of its population. Very confusing and convoluted subject and may not be a good fit for this thread as I would prefer to see reports of what is going on in Ukraine right now. So don't let me derail my own thread. But this thread also has very knowledgeable folks who may very well be able to put this issue to rest in my mind.

I don’t think that can be trusted Kraze. If polls in Russia can get you thrown in jail, that is…

I'm not answering that as I can't tell my meters from my feet apparently.

@Sgt Joch You know that a Russian Army collapse would have been unthinkable a month ago. Now it can be debated rationally, really. How things change...

How does anyone survive that, let alone run aftwards!

Ukraine can always say what they need to say to get Russians out of Ukraine then be as truthful as Putin in the follow-thru. Say they won't join NATO, get Russia out, stop the killing, then join NATO. Russia falls into a great depression, not capable of any further offensive action, NATO secures Ukraine as Putin gets overthrown. Maybe just wishful thinking, but at this point, if Ukraine breaks long term promises to Russia whilst gaining peace, I don't think the world would consider that treachery. More like justice.

Do we have any video footage of Javelins in action. I've seen several other ATGMs and many after action videos, but I can't think of a known Javelin hit, but then again, I may not know exactly what to look for.

John, ignore me. I had the TU-95 ceiling at 13,000ft not 13km well within range of the better MANPADS. I was just off by a factor of 3.

TU-95 doesn't fly high enough to get out of the range of Stingers and Starstreaks, as I understand it. Prolly the higher it flies, the less of a bombload it can carry. Plus Russian arty should be able to rain down that kind of destruction, if they haven't run out of rockets in Syria.

Wow! About to cross the 6000 post mark. That's a lot of messages to catch up on if you've been gone for a couple weeks!

Yes. We are definitely in an anti-Russian echo chamber here, but I believe much less of one than most places you can go on the internet. I would encourage posting of both Ukrainian and Russian losses and victories here so that we can see both sides of the coin (unless this really upsets our Ukrainian friends @Haiduk @kraze and @Kraft. If they can stand it then go right ahead and post them). The only thing I don't want to happen is political arguing or anything that will derail the thread. Technical arguing, strategic arguing, for sure, but we have to leave the politics out and try to figure out what exactly is happening on the ground to the best of our amateur armchair general abilities. Some much less amateur than others. If I misspoke or forgot something, please chime in @Battlefront.com and @BFCElvis.

+1 (I wish you had an upvote button Steve)

Had me fooled too @Thomm

@Ultradave, you know a lot about nuclear power. You don't happen to be a nuclear engineer?

That is some intense footage @Kraft ! Can you tell if that was folks watching a replay on the screen or actual live footage as it happened? Pretty scary.

Great find! Battlefront/Elvis confirms it.

@Battlefront.comSteve, I created a quick battle to just play a bit of what is currently going on. Some things I noticed we need to add to CMBS DLC pack: Ukrainian drones. Varied western AT weapons for Ukraine. Varied western MANPADS. Captured Russian equipment. Heavier personal armor. Ukrainian irregulars. UKR Foreign Legion with light and heavy weapons. Russian "V", "Z", "O" etc... markings (that would make a good mod). Trucks that immobilize themselves because of Chinese tires. Equipment that either randomly break during the game or start out with down systems. Engine Updates?: Remote firing SKIF (if doable in the engine). New advance command whilst reversing. Farmer's tractors? Also Many new "Road" or convoy based maps/scenarios. Just to name a few...

Its the leased aircraft fleet that gets seized that is worrying to me.

I’ve seen many posts of Ukrainian infantry armed to the teeth with AT weapons. These guys would be considered heavy infantry at this point?

NATO Exercise COLD RESPONSE close(ish) to Russian Ports in the Artic.

I'm convinced that the design of a T-90 = T-80 = T-72 = T-64 = T-62 = T-55 with a few cardboard boxes taped to it for looks.

Had a go at it. Found an online site that stabilized videos. Maybe a bit better: tanks (2).mp4

Can someone motion stabilize this footage please?

I really hope so @danfrodo