The Ukraine war thread

[Renauda]

Here’s link I came across a couple of weeks back on the comparative relevance of the A-10 and SU-25 to the Ukrainian theatre at this time

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theaviationgeekclub.com/su-25-vs-a-10-heres-why-the-frogfoot-might-be-better-suited-than-the-warthog-for-cas/

[Mik]

Interesting. I wonder how much they are actually using them right now.

[Jolly]

GROM

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/evidence-of-russia-using-grom-standoff-weapons-in-ukraine-emerges

[Jolly]

@Renauda said in The Ukraine war thread:

Here’s link I came across a couple of weeks back on the comparative relevance of the A-10 and SU-25 to the Ukrainian theatre at this time

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theaviationgeekclub.com/su-25-vs-a-10-heres-why-the-frogfoot-might-be-better-suited-than-the-warthog-for-cas/

Old argument. Back in the day, I made the argument that the U.S. should buy some Frogfoots from the Russians, plonk some new avionics in them and give them refueling capability.

They are a very capable airframe that can operate off of truly horrendous runways.

[Jolly]

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovak-government-send-mig-29-fighter-jets-ukraine-pm-2023-03-17/

Good. Now, I wonder how the U.S. program is progressing that allows NATO weapons to be used on Soviet and Russian aircraft?

[Mik]

Putin was indicted before Trump! Who would have guessed that? It doesn't mean a whole lot, but it does put a little more pressure on him by further harming his international stature.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/international-arrest-warrant-issued-for-vladimir-putin-but-will-the-russian-president-be-taken-away-in-cuffs/ar-AA18LfJ8?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=af5a6f5c9c564939b840bf42de05bd53&ei=32

[Mik]

An offer he can't refuse

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-may-find-itself-receiving-an-offer-from-china-it-cannot-refuse/ar-AA18N2B9?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=062e341c21ec47eca9cfcaebb42f54fa&ei=27

[Renauda]

@Mik

Indeed it will be interesting to see what comes out of that summit next week, other than the usual overwrought theatre.

[George K]

[George K]

[Renauda]

@George-K

Theatre of the perverse.

[jon-nyc]

[Mik]

Could be behind the reports of him looking puffy.

[George K]

It's been said that the configuration of one's ears as unique as a fingerprint. Look at #1 and #2. They are the same person, based on the shape of the ear. I can't tell about #3. But, are they Putin? I dunno.

ETA: AHA!

https://news.yahoo.com/putin-using-body-double-listen-035201450.html

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/putins-body-double-mystery-finally-29121981

[Mik]

Bluster and fear is all he's got left.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-threatens-to-blow-up-icc-with-hypersonic-missile/ar-AA18QozP?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=eca961c8ad17487fa775fc6ced26b38c&ei=13

[Renauda]

As expected it was a whole lot of nothing other than more trouble down the road:

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/03/21/as-xi-visits-putin-allies-trumpet-new-era-but-offer-little-substance-a80559

[Mik]

The only thing at all significant is the implication that if the parties don't come to a political settlement China will start providing lethal aid.

[Renauda]

@Mik

Like I said, more trouble down the road.

There ain’t going to be a settlement.

[Mik]

Not while Russian troops are on Crimean soil.

Chinese weaponry might make things uglier, but Russia still doesn't have an army worth a tinker's damn.

[Renauda]

@Mik

I fear you are right. Just over a year ago I think it may have been negotiable. The Russians have now made that not at all practicable.