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Bulletpoint

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  1. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from danfrodo in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Looking back at history, I don't think he really has to worry much about that. Stalin killed untold millions without anyone able to stand up to him, Hitler kept feeding Germans into the grinder until the enemy was knocking on the door of his bunker, and then there was also WW1 where there was a bit of a protest brewing in the trenches at one point, but then that was cracked down on and the war continued.
    When it comes to Putin's war, I think many of the guys in the meat waves don't even realise just how suicidal it is until it is too late. They probably know it's going to be dangerous, but they still have some kind of idea that they are regular soldiers fighting in a regular war, where you go to attack positions and have at least some chance of surviving. But when they see what it's really like, it's too late - they don't get back to tell the tale, and then the next wave is formed up behind them using fresh meat. So morale is kept going and there's never any substantial buildup of disgruntled troops in Russian lines.
  2. Upvote
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from dan/california in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Looking back at history, I don't think he really has to worry much about that. Stalin killed untold millions without anyone able to stand up to him, Hitler kept feeding Germans into the grinder until the enemy was knocking on the door of his bunker, and then there was also WW1 where there was a bit of a protest brewing in the trenches at one point, but then that was cracked down on and the war continued.
    When it comes to Putin's war, I think many of the guys in the meat waves don't even realise just how suicidal it is until it is too late. They probably know it's going to be dangerous, but they still have some kind of idea that they are regular soldiers fighting in a regular war, where you go to attack positions and have at least some chance of surviving. But when they see what it's really like, it's too late - they don't get back to tell the tale, and then the next wave is formed up behind them using fresh meat. So morale is kept going and there's never any substantial buildup of disgruntled troops in Russian lines.
  3. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from paxromana in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Looking back at history, I don't think he really has to worry much about that. Stalin killed untold millions without anyone able to stand up to him, Hitler kept feeding Germans into the grinder until the enemy was knocking on the door of his bunker, and then there was also WW1 where there was a bit of a protest brewing in the trenches at one point, but then that was cracked down on and the war continued.
    When it comes to Putin's war, I think many of the guys in the meat waves don't even realise just how suicidal it is until it is too late. They probably know it's going to be dangerous, but they still have some kind of idea that they are regular soldiers fighting in a regular war, where you go to attack positions and have at least some chance of surviving. But when they see what it's really like, it's too late - they don't get back to tell the tale, and then the next wave is formed up behind them using fresh meat. So morale is kept going and there's never any substantial buildup of disgruntled troops in Russian lines.
  4. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from LuckyDog in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Looking back at history, I don't think he really has to worry much about that. Stalin killed untold millions without anyone able to stand up to him, Hitler kept feeding Germans into the grinder until the enemy was knocking on the door of his bunker, and then there was also WW1 where there was a bit of a protest brewing in the trenches at one point, but then that was cracked down on and the war continued.
    When it comes to Putin's war, I think many of the guys in the meat waves don't even realise just how suicidal it is until it is too late. They probably know it's going to be dangerous, but they still have some kind of idea that they are regular soldiers fighting in a regular war, where you go to attack positions and have at least some chance of surviving. But when they see what it's really like, it's too late - they don't get back to tell the tale, and then the next wave is formed up behind them using fresh meat. So morale is kept going and there's never any substantial buildup of disgruntled troops in Russian lines.
  5. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from Seedorf81 in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Looking back at history, I don't think he really has to worry much about that. Stalin killed untold millions without anyone able to stand up to him, Hitler kept feeding Germans into the grinder until the enemy was knocking on the door of his bunker, and then there was also WW1 where there was a bit of a protest brewing in the trenches at one point, but then that was cracked down on and the war continued.
    When it comes to Putin's war, I think many of the guys in the meat waves don't even realise just how suicidal it is until it is too late. They probably know it's going to be dangerous, but they still have some kind of idea that they are regular soldiers fighting in a regular war, where you go to attack positions and have at least some chance of surviving. But when they see what it's really like, it's too late - they don't get back to tell the tale, and then the next wave is formed up behind them using fresh meat. So morale is kept going and there's never any substantial buildup of disgruntled troops in Russian lines.
  6. Upvote
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from Carolus in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Looking back at history, I don't think he really has to worry much about that. Stalin killed untold millions without anyone able to stand up to him, Hitler kept feeding Germans into the grinder until the enemy was knocking on the door of his bunker, and then there was also WW1 where there was a bit of a protest brewing in the trenches at one point, but then that was cracked down on and the war continued.
    When it comes to Putin's war, I think many of the guys in the meat waves don't even realise just how suicidal it is until it is too late. They probably know it's going to be dangerous, but they still have some kind of idea that they are regular soldiers fighting in a regular war, where you go to attack positions and have at least some chance of surviving. But when they see what it's really like, it's too late - they don't get back to tell the tale, and then the next wave is formed up behind them using fresh meat. So morale is kept going and there's never any substantial buildup of disgruntled troops in Russian lines.
  7. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to Zeleban in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    In general, in my opinion, missile attacks on Ukrainian cities today play a negative role for the Russians. Russia today is conducting one of the most successful information and psychological campaigns against the Ukrainian state. The Kremlin has successfully undermined Ukrainians' faith in its leadership and is quite successful in countering the mobilization of Ukrainians, pitting them against military officials.
    However, massive attacks on rear cities reduce the effectiveness of these informational and psychological actions, returning Ukrainians to reality and indicating who their true enemy is.
  8. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to Kraft in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Id start by not reading the NYT. Their UA coverage is anything but impartial and neither are the russians working there.
    Besides that note, manpower is an issue and also likely the reason russians stopped prisoner exchanges, leading to orcs gunning down surrendering troops at a noticibly higher rate than before.
    Morale is definitively at the lowest it has ever been, with failing western support and a clearly in it to win it russia, that will not coup and surrender or revolt as everyone here keeps dreaming about.
    They'll take another 300000 dead and the same sites will claim 'imminent collapse', 'mass surrenders', while the frontline edges further and further inland.
     
  9. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to Zeleban in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Ukrainian soldiers began to receive Tsukorok (sugar) drone detectors. This detector scans the radio air and, based on the characteristic frequency at which a certain type of drone is controlled, determines that there is a drone nearby and you need to hide.
    Allegedly, this device is inexpensive, and its effectiveness has already been tested by soldiers on the front line.
  10. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to paxromana in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Abolished by the ...
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Declaration_Respecting_Maritime_Law
    ... since 1856,
    We've had discusssions about why Ukraine needs to adhere to International Law even when Russia flouts it. So not gonna happen.
  11. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to glilley in Posted in Error-Off-Map Smoke Being Available After HE/Cluster Expended   
    Rats - this was meant for the Engine 5 Wishlist topic!  Wish I knew how to delete this.
    There are times when planning fire support I would want the off-map tubes (artillery/mortars) to expend all their HE/cluster munitions to soften up a target then place smoke in an area to provide cover for my attacking units.  As it stands now if your off-map assets expend all HE/cluster munitions smoke is not available as a final fire mission.  Could use on-map tubes to provide smoke but some scenarios have little to no on-map tubes.  Would be great to have smoke available after HE/cluster is expended.
  12. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from laurent 22 in Kohlenklau's 3rd Annual Christmas 2023 Scenario Challenge!   
    If it's this guy, then I think you're selling him a bit short
    https://militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=216819
    Do you know if he was of Danish descent? His name sounds like it.
  13. Upvote
    Bulletpoint reacted to Haiduk in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    Yesterday Ukrainian troops managed to throw back Russians on one section of nortern flank of Bakhmut between Bohdanivka and Ivanivske. Our troops regained control over the cementry and dairy farm complex near Khromove

    On other hand today's morning Russians could seize dachas east of Ivanivske

    On southern section of Bakhmut front main clashes now for the fortified hill near Klishciivka. Since 3rd assault brigade withdrew for rest and replenishment, backbone of defense here became 5th assault brigade. After intensive assaults of the hill and huge losses Russians slighly reduced intensivity of assaults, but continue it anyway. In recent days they could push back our troops behind railway north from Klishchiivka, but judging on Russian TG messages, UKR artillery received new batch of shells, so could intensify own support, cutting off any further attempts of Russians to advance.
    According to Kostiantyn Mashovets, Russians are moving 57th motor-rifle brigade from southern flank of Bakhmut to Avdiivka sector, so Avdiivka is bigger priority for Russian command.  
  14. Upvote
    Bulletpoint reacted to Chudacabra in How Hot is Israel Gonna Get?   
    Two infants were killed on October 7th. Obviously unjustifiable to kill children for any reason, but that is the same number of infants who died in the Al-Shifa hospital's neonatal ward alone. So far the IDF has killed approximately 222 Palestinian children for every Israeli child who was killed on October 7th. I am simply at a loss to explain how anyone can possibly think this is justified.
  15. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to dan/california in How Hot is Israel Gonna Get?   
    Both U.S. and Israeli politics are going the rest of the way off the rails because of leaders whose primary motivation is staying out of jail. Netanyahu is bitter ending his time in office because he is more or less immune to prosecution as long as he hangs on. It would be a mess anyway, but this is the final straw making things so much worse.
  16. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from Ales Dvorak in Views on Ukraine situation from around the world   
    At first, we were surprised that Putin would actually go ahead and invade.
    Then we were surprised that Ukraine didn't simply collapse.
    Then we were surprised that the Russian Army was beaten badly and had to let go of huge areas.
    Then we were surprised that the Ukrainian summer offensive completely failed, despite all the Western weapons.
    An then now we are very surprised that the Russians are able to not just prevent collapse, but even mount a winter offensive and are taking ground.
     
    I would be surprised if this is the last surprise of this war.
  17. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from Ales Dvorak in Enough of the 2023 conversation... we NEED some Christmas bones...   
    If the last couple of years are anything to go by, the bones for 2024 will be very similar to the ones for 2023, which themselves were basically the ones for 2022.
  18. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to The_Capt in How Hot is Israel Gonna Get?   
    No I don’t think that was the point of his post.  He wasn’t calling for a direct evidence of every Israeli death.  He was highlighting that there was no evidence of Hamas’ most alleged brutal crimes.  I think his point was that over inflation of that brutality is being some used to give license to IDF potential warcrimes - which frankly are starting to stack up.
    In the end I would not be surprised if Hamas did some pretty horrible stuff and the reports of 7 Oct are actually true to a greater or lesser extent.  It also does not matter.  Warcrimes do not justify more warcrimes legally or morally.  A beheaded Israeli baby is just as dead as a Palestinian one how had a JDAMs dropped on them.  And we have seen plenty of dismembered Palestinian children…hell it is with our morning coffee now.
    The IDF should be held to higher standard than Hamas.  They are supposed to be the good guys.  Now we have reports of the IDF shooting aid agencies, their own people and vigilante actions against Palestinians in the West Bank.  As soon as we cannot tell who the good guys are anymore we are basically at Sudan where @sshats on both sides are waging war illegally.
    This of course is a problem with sustaining international support and at some point even the US is going to draw back.  Like when pictures of starving Palestinians are flashed up on the news, or another massacre.  What is truly disturbing is that our primary democratic partner in the Middle East not only completely dropped the ball leading up to 7 Oct, they are driving the follow on operation into a crater.
    We are finally hearing reports that the Israeli justice system is starting to get engaged (you know, the one Netanyahu tried to castrate).  So we may see some action. But right now Israel looks out of control and is making things so much worse.  
  19. Upvote
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from Livdoc44 in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?   
    https://www.reddit.com/r/CombatFootage/comments/18k0reh/full_video_ukrainian_t64_destroys_disabled/?utm_source=embedv2&utm_medium=post_embed&utm_content=post_body&embed_host_url=https://community.battlefront.com/index.php
     
  20. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from PEB14 in Enough of the 2023 conversation... we NEED some Christmas bones...   
    If the last couple of years are anything to go by, the bones for 2024 will be very similar to the ones for 2023, which themselves were basically the ones for 2022.
  21. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from SgtHatred in Enough of the 2023 conversation... we NEED some Christmas bones...   
    If the last couple of years are anything to go by, the bones for 2024 will be very similar to the ones for 2023, which themselves were basically the ones for 2022.
  22. Like
    Bulletpoint got a reaction from OBJ in How Hot is Israel Gonna Get?   
    Yes, just like the Palestinians have grandparents who tell them what happened back in 1948.
    And now the next generation will have grandparents that tell them what happened in 2023.
  23. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to Lethaface in Views on Ukraine situation from around the world   
    Fwiw in Malaysia the view you sketch is not accurate (posting from now). The Ukraine war gets less attention/focus here, it's far away and limited impact. However the agressor is clear.
    China isn't seen as favourable as you sketch it to be, although US foreign policy isn't always either. They don't see the need to get mixed up in the conflict, mainly looking after own interests.
    The Palestine/Israel conflict gets more attention, overwhelming majority support a free Palestine state and see the lack of that as the main reason for the conflict there. And that Israël can get away with almost anything, where other countries wouldn't.
  24. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to Erwin in Views on Ukraine situation from around the world   
    Interesting WSJ short  excerpt on "How to Avoid Defeat in Ukraine"
     
    by 
    Walter Russell Mead . 27, 2023 1:24 pm ET The German tabloid “Bild” said the quiet part out loud. President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the well-sourced newspaper reported, plan to force Ukraine into peace talks next year by denying it the weapons needed to win. This creates a dilemma for those who know that Ukraine’s fate matters deeply to the U.S., but who can also see that Team Biden is more interested in avoiding confrontation with Russia than in defeating it. To oppose aid to Ukraine is to ensure a Russian victory, but funding Mr. Biden’s approach will do little to prevent one—and will further erode public support for America’s global engagement.
    Having failed to deter Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine in the first place, the Biden administration badly overestimated the effect of Western sanctions on Russia. Once it was clear that sanctions wouldn’t force Russia to end the war, and after several failed efforts to tempt Russia with “off ramps,” Team Biden cooked up Plan Stalemate. The West would dribble out enough aid to help Ukraine survive, but not enough to help it win. Ultimately, the Ukrainians would lose hope of victory and offer Mr. Putin a compromise peace. The White House would spin this as a glorious triumph for democracy and the rule of law.
    Some will criticize this as a cynical strategy, but the real problem is that it is naive. Mr. Biden seems to be clinging to the idea that Mr. Putin can be appeased—parked, if you prefer—by reasonable concessions. And so, the White House thinks, if Ukraine offers reasonable terms, Russia will gladly accept them.
    But what if, when Mr. Putin senses weakness, he doubles down? What if a few thousand square miles of Ukrainian territory matter less to him than inflicting a humiliating defeat on the Biden administration and demonstrating the weakness of the West?
    Mr. Putin has recovered from his early stumbles in Ukraine. Russia has more than doubled its forces there since the war began. Despite early setbacks, Russia has developed capabilities and tactics that have improved its troops’ effectiveness on the battlefield. The unconventional (if morally repugnant) decision to send released prisoners to fight in such places as Bakhmut and Avdiivka means that Russia was able to degrade some of Ukraine’s best combat units while preserving its own best units for battle elsewhere.
    Russia has increased weapons production and is now manufacturing ammunition an estimated seven times faster than the West. It has mitigated the effect of Western sanctions. It is strengthening military and strategic links with Iran, and thanks to Iranian protégé Hamas, Western attention has shifted from Ukraine toward the Middle East.
    Article continues:  
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-avoid-defeat-in-ukraine-russia-u-s-foreign-policy-military-aid-weapons-war-d86db15f?mod=WTRN_pos7&cx_testId=3&cx_testVariant=cx_171&cx_artPos=6
  25. Like
    Bulletpoint reacted to Erwin in Views on Ukraine situation from around the world   
    It just occurred to me that one may need a WSJ sub to read the sobering article.  Here is an excerpt, but it is well worth reading the much longer article if one can access it.  Send me PM if you want the whole article and I can send it to you:
    "It’s Time to End Magical Thinking About Russia’s Defeat
    Putin has withstood the West’s best efforts to reverse his invasion of Ukraine, and his hold on power is firm. The U.S. and its allies need a new strategy: containment.
    By Eugene Rumer and Andrew S. Weiss Nov. 16, 2023 10:00 am ET
    As Russian President Vladimir Putin looks toward the second anniversary of his all-out assault on Ukraine, his self-confidence is hard to miss. A much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive has not achieved the breakthrough that would give Kyiv a strong hand to negotiate. Tumult in the Middle East dominates the headlines, and bipartisan support for Ukraine in the U.S. has been upended...
    Putin has reason to believe that time is on his side. At the front line, there are no indications that Russia is losing what has become a war of attrition. The Russian economy has been buffeted, but it is not in tatters. Putin’s hold on power was, paradoxically, strengthened following Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed rebellion in June. Popular support for the war remains solid, and elite backing for Putin has not fractured.
    ...Soviet legacy factories are outperforming Western factories when it comes to much-needed items like artillery shells.
    The technocrats responsible for running the Russian economy have proven themselves to be resilient, adaptable, and resourceful. Elevated oil prices, driven in part by close cooperation with Saudi Arabia, are refilling state coffers...
    Putin can also look at his foreign-policy record with satisfaction. His investments in key relationships have paid off. China and India have provided an important backstop for the Russian economy by ramping up imports of Russian oil and other commodities. Instead of fretting about lost markets in Western Europe or Beijing’s reluctance to flout U.S. and EU sanctions, Putin has decided that it’s more advantageous in the short term simply to become China’s junior partner in the economic realm. Goods from China account for nearly 50% of Russian imports, and Russia’s top energy companies are now hooked on selling to China.
    Even neighboring countries that have every reason to fear Putin’s aggressive tactics, such as Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, have made fat profits by serving as enablers of sanctions circumvention and as transshipment points for the goods that Russia used to import directly."
     
     
     
     
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