I don't know what the troop deployments are, but I have to assume Russia has, or will if this drags on longer, move troops from their border with China. Isn't that in China's best interest so it can free up troops for something in future on the other side of the country, like Taiwan?
Ukraine war: China's claim to neutrality fades with Moscow visit
Beijing sees the Kremlin's war as serving a useful geopolitical purpose by confronting US influence.www.bbc.com
This might be a little tougher than Putin thought...
- Thread starter Nole Lou
- Start date
Thought I had heard they already did that. Maybe there’s another tranche.
There were reports of a failed missile launch by Russia.
But no details on direction of launch.
The direction was into the ground.
And more good news:
Russian warplane crashes near Ukrainian border
A Russian Su-25 warplane crashed near the border with Ukraine, and the pilot died in the accident, the Ministry of Defense has said
The second key lesson of the Ukraine war is that the West’s militaries were not ready for it. For all the attention paid to Germany’s decision about sending its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the lion’s share of military aid to Ukraine was provided by the United States. The perception that this assistance has undercut American readiness for conflicts elsewhere is a key factor in waning support for the war effort among some Republicans, which may prove to be a significant factor in determining the conflict’s course this year and next. The harsh reality, however, is that the U.S. defense industry would not be ready for a conflict in Asia even without the diversion of materiel to Ukraine — recent war games suggest the U.S. would run out of precision-guided munitions within just a few weeks of such a war.
thehill.com
Is Ukraine the ‘war before the war’?
When Russia began its effort to conquer Ukraine a year ago, there was every reason to believe the end result would be disastrous for the West. Moscow had Kyiv outgunned and vastly outmanned. The We…
thehill.com
Also reported that a Russian aircraft capable of carrying missiles had taken off in Belarus and that may have triggered the warnings.
If you have any idea how the caldera system works, this is laughably stupid.
Why can’t we drill Yellowstone to stop eruptions and make power? | U.S. Geological Survey
Drilling is often suggested as a means of preventing Yellowstone from erupting. It seems like a reasonable idea, but the volcano doesn’t work that way. And while it might be possible to generate power by geothermal drilling, that would risk disturbing the thermal features of...
Many people are saying this was the biggest crowd ever.
Bigly.
But how? 
"Reports say there were three explosions near the Illich Iron and Steel Works (Kalmius district). There is a high chance of hitting the enemy, as the skies are clear – there is no sign of occupiers’ air defence working."
Details: Russian aircraft took off after the explosions.
Petro Andriushchenko, the advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol, has posted on his Telegram-channel that the first explosion was heard in the city at 11:02.
Later, two more explosions rang out. Andriushchenko has said that two of them have definitely struck the premises of the Illich plant near a prison.
He has also said there was another explosion near the airport."
https://news.yahoo.com/explosions-ring-near-illich-steel-100100299.html
"Reports say there were three explosions near the Illich Iron and Steel Works (Kalmius district). There is a high chance of hitting the enemy, as the skies are clear – there is no sign of occupiers’ air defence working."
Details: Russian aircraft took off after the explosions.
Petro Andriushchenko, the advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol, has posted on his Telegram-channel that the first explosion was heard in the city at 11:02.
Later, two more explosions rang out. Andriushchenko has said that two of them have definitely struck the premises of the Illich plant near a prison.
He has also said there was another explosion near the airport."
https://news.yahoo.com/explosions-ring-near-illich-steel-100100299.html
Seems like the West should be able to trade and pry a lot more that 6 tanks from Spain. It would take awhile to put them back into service though.
"How many Leopard tanks in Spain?
108 Leopard 2A4s
The Spanish army in theory possesses 327 tanks: 108 Leopard 2A4s that it acquired from German surplus stocks in 1998, and 219 Leopard 2Es that Spanish firm Santa Barbara Sistemas manufactured under license starting in 2002. The A4s no longer are active. They all are in storage at Casetas Logistics Center in Zaragoza.Feb 2, 2023"
"How many Leopard tanks in Spain?
108 Leopard 2A4s
The Spanish army in theory possesses 327 tanks: 108 Leopard 2A4s that it acquired from German surplus stocks in 1998, and 219 Leopard 2Es that Spanish firm Santa Barbara Sistemas manufactured under license starting in 2002. The A4s no longer are active. They all are in storage at Casetas Logistics Center in Zaragoza.Feb 2, 2023"
Bulgaria is said to have 250 T72s in storage (even more IFVs and APCs) and a lot of Soviet era anti -tank and anti-aircraft weapons per Wiki. And they can't be bothered to give ammo- F Bulgaria
(But if they are doing so secretly-nevermind.)
(But if they are doing so secretly-nevermind.)
The Kiev Independent guy said they blast the sirens anytime planes take off from the border in Belarus.
He is old enough to be a veteran of Afghanistan, but I'd love to see a run down on what all of those medals are for.
I'd be looking at the shared border with Romania if I were you. And, as I mentioned in the thread on Moldova, they are a candidate member of the EU. The EU I suppose could interdict with their rapid reaction force. And, as mentioned in that thread Macron has said he will not let Moldova fall. For all of the France bashing, they make up a portion of that EU force, and they have been doing good work militarily in some of the dingiest parts of Africa for the last 20 years fighting al Queada offshoots and Boko Haram. The French could credibly project force into Moldova in 24-48 hours.
Peter Zeihan is a fun listen. Some of his stuff is a little out there, specifically some of his China predictions, but he does a great job overall.
Long AP story based on intercepts of Russian soldiers calling home. Circle back to this if you don't have a few minutes to read it. There's a lot of good stuff in here to help you understand how mismanaged the Russian effort has been, the mentality of the Russian soldiers, the reasons for looting, the massive disinformation campaign to justify the war, and the rank stupidity of how Ukrainian bio labs..., well, you know...
https://apnews.com/article/russia-u...e&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_03
https://apnews.com/article/russia-u...e&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_03
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Gotta be honest, I'd be a little pissed if I got a bunch of yellow or blue paint on my tires and car undercarriage!
I like the intent, though.
How do you know the Russians are lying? Their lips are moving.
I'm sure this is working just like Vlad expected. Not only taking heavy losses in Ukraine, but also causing the NATO neighbors to significantly beef up their military capabilities. Genius....
More on a story poster earlier. (SIAP)
