Give credit to others.
In other words, nominate someone else to go out the window.
Or indeed opening.
Very interesting analysis of the failed invasion. A lot of things had to go right for Ukraine and Russian incompetence certainly helped.
The out of date maps surprised me. Maps can easily be printed off the Internet.
I’m guessing that it’s not that they didn’t have access to good maps, but that they weren’t allowed to have good maps. Getting a map from anything other than the officially-approved sources would have been seen as a sign of disloyalty.
Considering the article says that not even commanders had more than 24 hour warning of the “special military operation”, I’m sure it never crossed their minds that the maps were out of date. That is if anyone even checked them beforehand. It’s basically just what we’ve seen over the whole war - Russian ineptness and lack of preparation. Those at the top hold onto information like it was gold, rather than share it with those that need it.
Oh, man, I just had a vision of a tank commander getting spoken turn-by-turn directions from his phone – but they are in English, so that ammo guy has to try to translate them for the driver, with his shaky English skills.
So Wagner is somewhat out of favour but everyone else is starting their own private army? Gazprom is recruiting a private army. Kadyrov wants private mercenaries just like Wagner. Shoigu has his own private army, Patriot. And I guess Putin has the Russian army, if we’re making a list.
It’s I Have An Army Club and they take turns hosting BBQs at their dachas. I’m sure they’ll all get along just fiiine. More the merrier.
And a question: if the US supports Israel in bombing Iran, and they might hit the drone factories, will that significantly benefit Ukraine?
The creation of multiple mercenary armies competing with the actual Russian army for resource and glory will not end well for Russia if it happens. Especially if they survive to hang around Russia afterwards.
Alexandru Flenchea, Moldovan chairman of the joint control commission in the security zone around Transdniestria, said the cancellation did not mean that Putin was abandoning the notion of Moldovan sovereignty.
“The decree is a policy document that implements the concept of Russia’s foreign policy,” Flenchea told Publika-TV. “Moldova and Russia have a basic political agreement that provides for mutual respect for the territorial integrity of our countries.”…
Moldova’s foreign ministry said it would “carefully study” the document.
I really don’t intend to sound pitying or condescending as an American, but I’m worried for Moldova. They seem so little and defenseless if Russia should get aggressive.
Nevermind, sort of hijack-y
Presumably those particular tanks couldn’t be repaired, relabled, and used by Ukraine?
Even if they were fully operational, their value as war trophies is of even greater value than battlefield assets. Ukraine is basically making the case that, thanks to them, the only Russian tanks crossing into NATO territory are captured ones.
They could be used, but why drive an old used junker when you have access to a like new ride. They are telling the Russians that their stuff is crap that not even a desperate people would reuse (thus saying they aren’t a desperate people).
Your stuff belongs in a museum! I fart in your general direction!
Both good points.
It’s another example of Ukraine doing excellent work in the PR battle.
If this war could be decided based on the quality of the trolling, Russia would have begged to unconditionally surrender months ago.
I wonder if Zelenskyy comes up with stuff like this on his own. The comedian has to still be lurking there.
Wiki says Russia has 1,500 troops in Transnistria.
A look at Google has varying numbers, but it seems Moldova has a standing army of 6,000 troops with 2,000 new recruits every year. About 60,000 trained reserve troops. Not really sure of the level of training of any of the troops, but their armaments are really outdated, 50-60 year old Russian stuff.
I don’t think Russia has any troops to spare that they could send there. I suppose they could start drafting local civilians, but we’ve seen how well that works.