Ukraine

Mainstream media coverage of the war, as it is about most topics now, is presented as a series of 'human interest' stories where they focus on the effects of the war on individuals. Or they go onto the streets of a Ukrainian city and ask the people what they think about the war in vox pop segments. There is not a lot of detailed coverage about what is actually going on militarily.

I think that Russia is wrong to prosecute this war, I think that the Russian state is a miserable despotism ruled by the sinister tyrant Putin, and I hope that Ukraine is able to prevail, but I do not like the strength of passion that is being whipped up around the western world over it. That strength of feeling and the amount of materiel and other support that we are giving to Ukraine shows the conflict in a different light: that this is a proxy war that Ukraine is fighting against Russia on our behalf. Any sober assessment of Ukraine's chances, the advance of Russia's military campaign, any questioning of the lengths to which we are going for the sake of this war, or a discussion of the western role in creating the conditions in which conflict might arise can lead to you being accused of being a mouthpiece for the Kremlin.

There are hundreds of thousands of decision makers whose industries and businesses have been heavily affected by this war. Its well known that major commodities, including food, had been drastically affected. Additionally, Lloyd's insurance market will be completely wrecked with a flood of insurance claims from airlines whose passenger planes had been grounded by Russia. All these business people need to have reliable information in order to minimise the damage to their businesses and ultimately livelihood of their employees.

 

WW IV Will be fought with sticks and stones

 

How things have changed:

Energy giant Shell is reconsidering its recent decision to pull investment from a large new UK oil field.

Shell last week resubmitted an application to develop the Jackdaw North Sea gas field - off the east coast of Scotland - having had it turned down in October by environmental regulators.

 

Interesting analysis of the Russian and Ukrainian combat strategies. One of the reasons why Russia are finding it slow to progress is that the Ukrainians work in many, small, independent combat units - their only role is to inflict losses on Russia - how and when they do this is up to them. Compare this to Russia - sitting stationary on a long road - just waiting for whatever.

Sometimes - small and nimble is better.

 

Its always the way, why did Russia get out of Afghanistan, why did we get out of Afghanistan.
Once your country is totally devastated, apart from your life, you have nothing left to lose.
Occupying another country against the wishes of its population is pretty near impossible without a massive long term commitment.

 

I've got to admit I thought the Russians would overrun the place in about a week.
I think they did as well, but I'm shocked how badly the Russian army is performing, the state of the equipment they have seems diabolical.
Russian airforce doesn't appear to be able to do much, they are just following a sledgehammer approach of shelling and bombardment.
But I'm not sure we are seeing the full picture, propaganda works for both sides.

Saw those field dressings on the news the other night, supposedly taken from a Russian vehicle dated 1978.

 

I'm sure NATO is sitting back and looking in dismay how poorly maintained all their kit appears to be, it is only the nuclear button that makes Russia a world power.
And of course the nutter running the place.

 

Star streak missiles are 'on the ground' in Ukraine - and training for their use has been provided.

It's time to pay the piper Putin.

 

More info here, strange voice though.

 

With a Javelin missile costing £156,000 per tube - the NLAW gives you more bang for your bucks - 7.8 more bangs apparently.....

Interesting factoid - the Stinger missile locks onto its target via its heat signature - and can be defended against by throwing magnesium flares out the back of the aircraft. The Starstreak doesn't lock onto a heat signature - once it flies - it's going to hit the target - there are no current 'counter measures'.

Putin - you're in trouble - you've bitten off more than you can chew.

 

Not a nice job hauling missiles, 25 tons of fireworks, glad i don't drive any more, but it was very hard work and lots of match sticks to keep the eyes open, 20 hours days 7 days a week and for 3 weeks that was my bit for the last war