17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv

[Improviso]

Satellite imagery taken on Monday showed Russian ground forces continued to move closer to Ukraine's capital with a military convoy that stretched over 17 miles (27 km), a private U.S. company said.

Maxar Technologies Inc (MAXR.N) said the convoy on the eastern edge of Antonov airport contained hundreds of armored vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and logistics support vehicles and continued to move south towards Kyiv.

I predict a massive "shooting gallery" coming within the next several days.

[George K]

One of the twitter threads I posted how this is a problem, from a strategic standpoint. One well-placed IED stops the convoy, and, as you said, it becomes a sitting duck.

[Improviso]

@George-K said in 17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv:

One of the twitter threads I posted how this is a problem, from a strategic standpoint. One well-placed IED stops the convoy, and, as you said, it becomes a sitting duck.

And then you hit the tail end to stop the ability to retreat.

Line that roadway on both sides with troops/civilians to kill any troops attempting to flee.

Their armed drones could systematically destroy all that equipment.

That would deflate anybody's bubble.

[Jolly]

Shame the Ukranians don't have a squadron of A-10's...

[xenon]

@Jolly said in 17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv:

Shame the Ukranians don't have a squadron of A-10's...

I hear the Turkish drones have been pretty effective for this sort of use (obviously no A-10).

[xenon]

The other relevant point about armored columns - Kyiv has a very deep and very extensive metro.

metros have service access every few 100 meters. You can get behind armored lines very easily with these and start shooting anti-armor weapons.

None of the major urban warfare theatres have had this dynamic for the past several decades.

[Improviso]

@xenon said in 17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv:

@Jolly said in 17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv:

Shame the Ukranians don't have a squadron of A-10's...

I hear the Turkish drones have been pretty effective for this sort of use (obviously no A-10).

Exactly.

They are only moving about 5 km a day due to supply line issues.

[Renauda]

@Improviso

That’s because their service battalion conscripts are too busy bartering fuel for food from the locals not knowing they are being set up for capture by Ukrainian forces. Russian rations suck.

In any case the only reason the Russians can have long exposed convoys like that is because they are confident they have air superiority over the theatre. While A-10’s would be useful, the Ukrainians would need something more along the lines of F - 18s or better. And lot’s of them.

[Improviso]

While A-10’s would be useful, the Ukrainians would need something more along the lines of F - 18s or better. And lot’s of them.

A handful of A-10's would make for a wonderful video.

[Renauda]

@Improviso

Oh, I agree

[LuFins Dad]

They should freeze their bank accounts and threaten their dogs!

[Improviso]

[LuFins Dad]

There are reports that Russian soldiers are sabotaging their own equipment to stall the convoy? Punching holes in their own fuel tanks and such?

[Renauda]

@LuFins-Dad

Have not heard this. Source?

[jon-nyc]

Where are the Jewish space lasers when you need them?

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in 17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv:

Where are the Jewish space lasers when you need them?

Or even the Turkish UAVs?

[LuFins Dad]

@Renauda said in 17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv:

@LuFins-Dad

Have not heard this. Source?

Some Russian units are surrendering “sometimes without a fight,” while others are made up of conscripts who have “never been in combat” and “weren’t even told they were going to be in combat.” In some instances, Russian troops have punched holes in their vehicles’ gas tanks, presumably to avoid getting into combat situations, the official added..

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/russian-troops-risk-averse-for-themselves-but-not-ukrainian-civilians

[Renauda]

@LuFins-Dad said in 17 mile convoy headed to Kyiv:

There are reports that Russian soldiers are sabotaging their own equipment to stall the convoy? Punching holes in their own fuel tanks and such?

Did a bit of research. I am told that Russian tanks often carry extra drums of fuel while in convoy. They either drain or shed those drums prior to going into attack formation.

If true then it may not therefore be a positive sign.

Edit : just saw your response.

[jon-nyc]

Send ‘em in!

https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2022/03/03/transfer-three-a-10-aircraft-squadrons-to-ukraine-now/

[George K]