The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

Vivendi

Well-Known Member
According to H I Sutton, Ukraine has hit and sunk a Russian tug boat: H I Sutton on Twitter: / Twitter

The type of missile used is not known -- could be Harpoon, which has already been delivered by both Denmark and the Netherlands. Could also be Ukrainian produced Neptune. In any case this is significant for a few reasons:

1. Ukraine has demonstrated that they have the capability to hit Russian ships more than once (they already sunk Moskva)
2. Tug boats is an important resource, perhaps in particular for Russia.
3. Snake island is strategically important. Hitting a tug boat that is used to help resupply Snake island is therefore important to Ukraine.
 

STURM

Well-Known Member
1. Ukraine has demonstrated that they have the capability to hit Russian ships more than once (they already sunk Moskva)
Which has led to Russian ships staying further away from the coast but the fact remains that the Russians are still there enforcing the blockade of the Ukrainian coast and whether the Ukrainians will be able to do anything about this really remains to be seen.

2. Tug boats is an important resource, perhaps in particular for Russia.
Indeed; an extremely vital resource but why ''in particular for Russia''?

3. Snake island is strategically important. Hitting a tug boat that is used to help resupply Snake island is therefore important to Ukraine.
Important and makes good headlines but ultimately are the Russians experiencing great difficulties in resupplying Snake Island; despite the losses they have suffered?
 

STURM

Well-Known Member
While Snake Island is important enough to fight over it, its within range of a HIMARS system. Its potentially a cul-de-sac for the Russians.
Ideally the Russians would abandon it but they can't because it's politically damaging. They have to hold onto it. As it stands they are still able to resupply what troops they have on it but this might change. On land things are slightly different; they are making slow progress but nonetheless are making progress in some areas. Just like how the Ukrainians showed great resourcefulness and innovation; the Russians too are learning and adapting.

Prior to the invasion most people underestimated the Ukrainians and overestimated the Russians; things might change in this regard; in reverse.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
According to H I Sutton, Ukraine has hit and sunk a Russian tug boat: H I Sutton on Twitter: / Twitter

The type of missile used is not known -- could be Harpoon, which has already been delivered by both Denmark and the Netherlands. Could also be Ukrainian produced Neptune. In any case this is significant for a few reasons:

1. Ukraine has demonstrated that they have the capability to hit Russian ships more than once (they already sunk Moskva)
2. Tug boats is an important resource, perhaps in particular for Russia.
3. Snake island is strategically important. Hitting a tug boat that is used to help resupply Snake island is therefore important to Ukraine.
It was apparently carrying a Tor module, and reportedly 10 crew MIA presumed dead, 23 WIA.

There is an important lesson to learn here. One being that Russia badly lacks ships with decent air defense. They've tried to resolve it by mountin Tor modules on the helo-pads of various vessels, including at least two 22160 patrol ships, and thuis tug. Clearly that doesn't help.

For Zmeiniy, the wise choice would obvious be to park a few frigates-corvettes off the coast and keep the island in their striking range. That would make it unusable for Ukraine, and wouldn't risk ships close to Ukraine's coastline. But the entire BSF has 3 modern-ish frigates and 0 corvettes. Instead they've stuck buckets of additional air defenses on the island. I'll post a shot of new Russian positions there when I get a chance.

 

Ranger25

Active Member
Staff member
According to the Odesa Oblast Military Administration the Tug has now completely sunk. As always take with some thought as details continue to emerge.

Like Feanor and others have stated, yes a Tug BUt not just a TUG. Especially given the Black Sea Fleet‘s capability and its logistical support missions the tug has been conducting



 

GermanHerman

Active Member
National Defense Magazine published an Interview with Denys Sharapov, Ukraine’s deputy minister of the defense in charge of procurement, and Brig. Gen. Volodymyr Karpenko, land forces command logistics commander.

Gen. Karpenko: [...] As of today, we have approximately 30 to 40, sometimes up to 50 percent of losses of equipment as a result of active combat. So, we have lost approximately 50 percent. … Approximately 1,300 infantry fighting vehicles have been lost, 400 tanks, 700 artillery systems.

That is a mathematical estimation we can make based on the length of the frontline and the intensity of the conflict. So, I'm giving you this estimate just for you to understand how significant the requirement is based on the intensity of the conflict.
These are, as stated, very rough approximations made up by a single officer during the interview. In addition some have pointed out that ukraine might overstate its current losses in order to heighten the pressure on donor nations to send more aid (Arestovich stating 500 kia per day for example seems extremly high).

For context Oryx lists as today 192 Tanks, 135 IFV (+88 AFV / 67 APC / 104 IMV) and 34 towed + 40 SP artillery systems as losses for the UAF.

Given how little we hear about the situation the UAF are in I thought it would still be interesting for some of you.
 

vikingatespam

Well-Known Member
I wonder if Karpenko's number incorporate captured Russian vehicles. If they lost 400 tanks, but Poland sent 200 and they captured significant # of Russian tanks, that puts them stronger than the beginning of the war.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
It could be easy to state numbers of tanks lost and replaced, but having trained and experienced crews on both sides may not be so replaceable
 

vikingatespam

Well-Known Member
Speaking of training, I have head a few claims that the RU are sending some of their "3rd Btl." from various units, which are the training cadres. Has this been confirmed ?
 

OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
That is basically it.
Except for the occassional oddity, crews are harder to replace than MBTs.
Agreed.

As I have warned before, given the level of training of Ukrainian forces and their lack of coordination (eg. passage of line procedures or blue force tracking), friendly fire is inevitable. An American finds out that fighting an insurgency and fighting a full blown war is two completely different things.
 
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T.C.P

Well-Known Member
Agreed.

As I have warned before, given the level of training of Ukrainian forces and their lack of coordination (eg. passage of line procedures or blue force tracking), friendly fire is inevitable. An American finds out that fighting an insurgency and fighting a full blown war is two completely different things.
That was chilling, but luckily for them otherside has the same issue and maybe even worse, Just saw a video a few days ago of a chechen yelling down an LPR reservist for almost hitting them. The level of the LNR/DPR reservists cannot be any better if not worse than the worst trained Ukrainain TDF troops.
 
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vikingatespam

Well-Known Member
Being a foreign volunteer is entirely a pot-luck. Who knows what you get. There is no established logistical tail to attach to, so your experiences are going to vary tremendously.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

Another Ukrainian strike lands in Novaya Kahovka.


Ukrainian Mi-8 operations near Nikolaev. Note the Mi-2 we see in the background at the beginning.


Another Russian 22160 patrol boat with a Tor-M2 module on board.


A fresh map of Zmeiniy. Purple are vehicles, yellow are positions or camo-netting.


Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk-Krivoy Rog.

Apostolovo, near Krivoy Rog, an apparent Russian strike.


Russian strikes land in Sinel'nikovo, Dnepropetrovskaya region. The town is a rail hub.


Russia and Ukraine allegedly exchanged KIAs in Zaporozhye area. Russia handed over 64 bodies from Azovstal', and received 56 in return. Note this is not the first time Zaporozhye is the site of these exchanges. Fighting there appears to be at a low point.


Unconfirmed reports from a Russian source that the military-civilian administration of Zaporozhye (Russian occupation government) has formed a volunteer btln of ~200 for local security duties.


Kharkov-Sumy.

Apparently a group of Kraken fighters (Azov element that went to Kharkov instead of Mariupol') were taken out by Russian forces, including that Estonian-South African Mamba armored car. Czech rifles were captured.


Two US fighters have been captured in Kharkov.


LDNR Front.

Russian strikes on the outskirts of Artemovsk-Bakhmut.


Russian strikes on Pokrovsk.


Ukrainian Tochka strike in Krasniy Luch apparently took our rebel artillery munition storage.


Destroyed Ukrainian BMP-1 on the Seversk-Artemovsk/Bakhmut road.


Interesting discussion of what appear to be rebel forces that got hit by Switchblade loitering munitions. Apparently the first missed, and another one went down. This is apparently near Avdeevka.


Ukrainian helos were spotted near Lisichansk.


A shell hit the roof of the maternity ward of the Vishevskiy hospital, Donetsk.


Russia has deployed a field hospital to help civilians in LNR area. Note this is probably areas recently taken from Ukraine, where local medical infrastructure may be destroyed, and many medical staff may have fled the fighting.


The West.

Mobilization papers being handed out at the beach, Odessa.


Russia.

A small Russian settlement near Klimtsy, Bryansk region, was shelled.


Russian border checkpoint Krupets, Kursk region, took fire from the Ukrainian side.


There are reports of shortages of civilian UAVs in Russia, possibly due to them being bought out for use in the war. Note a number of organizations in Russia collect donations and organize support for rebel units. Since the start of this war there have been rumors of Russian regulars adopting use of civilian UAVs.


Misc.

Apparently a Ukrainian T-64BV getting hit by an ATGM.


Russian SpN Kornet launch. Location and context unclear.


Ukrainian forces firing a Caesar howitzer.


Russian PTM-4 magnetic land mines have been found in Ukraine.


Allegedly a Ukrainian BMP taken out by a Russian artillery strike. Location unclear.


Apparently Ukrainian T-64BVs burning, location and context unclear.


Russian up-armored Tigr-M with battle damage. Location and context unclear.


Apparently rebel forces with what appears to be a DShK modified into a sniper rifle.


Interesting footage and discussion of a Russian OSA-AKM SAM in Ukraine. Note while the type isn't useless, it's extremely outdated and its performance in modern conflicts is poor. The soldier claims they've successfully engaged UAVs with it.


More Russian trucks up-armored haphazardly.


Russian irregulars with an ATGM.


Russian technical, Ukraine.


Russian armored train in Ukraine, location and context unclear.


Ukrainian M-109s. Location and context unclear.


Allegedly Brazilian fighter in Ukraine.


Russian Kamaz Typhoon MRAP captured and put back into service by Ukraine.


Ukrainian territorial defense training with an allegedly Bulgarian SPG-9 recoilless rifle.


NATO/EU.


There are reports that German howitzers are almost ready to head to Ukraine. Apparently Ukrainian service members are completing their training with the type.


German newspaper ARD has published a shelling of Donetsk and claims it is a Russian shelling.


Lithuania is planning to supply 110 anti-UAV systems EDM4S Sky Wiper to Ukraine.


Ukrainian service member with a Quantix Recon UAV. Allegedly 100 of the type were supplied.


French Caesar howitzer being taken to Ukraine by an An-124.


We finally have footage of an FV-103 Spartan in Ukrainian hands.

 

OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
Being a foreign volunteer is entirely a pot-luck. Who knows what you get. There is no established logistical tail to attach to, so your experiences are going to vary tremendously.
It’s about expectations and who these foreign fighters link up with in Ukraine. Not all Ukrainian army brigades in the various sectors are equal — deconfliction in high intensity urban warfare is not easy unless all the buildings are mapped and numbered.

The above video shows Ukraine’s foreign legion moving and fighting in urban terrain. Text book TTPs, movement from cover to cover. Effective use of suppressive of fire to cross danger areas, dispersion and as always no context, fighting footage.
 
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STURM

Well-Known Member
There is no established logistical tail to attach to, so your experiences are going to vary tremendously.
Logistically they will dependent on the Ukrainian units they are attached to. From my understanding unlike in the former Yuogoslavia where some foreign volunteers basically did their own thing with minimal coordination with local units; foreign volunteers in the Ukraine are integrated with the locals.

For me the key questions are whether foreign volunteers are still flowing in and of those which arrived in the early days; how many are actually still there? Another point is that although the Ukrainians vetted volunteers; did any volunteers who ever for the wrong reasons or who are not qualified and are liability: make it in?
 

vikingatespam

Well-Known Member
From what I have heard, talking to someone who is going through the process, the UKR embassy does some sort of check, but I would be surprised if this was anything other than cursory criminal record check.

I would also imagine that some fraction of people who went over with the right motivations, but no actual 11B experience, probably returned in a hurry when they realized the reality of being on a 2-way rifle range.

Hard numbers ? I doubt anyone has those.
 

STURM

Well-Known Member
I would be surprised if this was anything other than cursory criminal record check.
They also determine if the applicant has military experience and is going for the right reasons. Some time back it was reported that some with military experience were rejected because it was felt that they weren't suitable.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

Russian cruise missile launches towards Nikolaev.


Russian cruise missile strike lands in Nikolaev.


A Ukrainian jet was apparently destroyed at Voznesensk, unclear what type sources claiming Su-24, 25, and MiG-29.


Russia allegedly hit a hangar with Ukrainian MLRS parked there, killing some artillerymen, and destroying some systems.


In Kherson an IED based assassination attempt was made on Evgeniy Sobolev, head of USIN which is (if I understand correctly) head of local corrections facilities.


Interesting photo of a pair of Russian 22160 patrol ships near Zmeiniy. Note one carrying the Tor and the other a helo. One regular corvette could do both, and have some strike capability to boot...


Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk.

Russia hit a Ukrainian munition facility in Dnepropetrovsk region, Sinel'kovo.


Russia also hit a fuel storage facility in Novomoskovsk, Dnepropetrovsk region.


Allegedly a Ukrainian Mi-8 downed in Shirokinskaya region, Dnepropetrovsk region.


Russian T-72B3 with a mine trawl, roof cage, and camo netting, at the Zaporozhskaya NPP.


Kharkov-Sumy-Poltava.

Allegedly a Russian strike on the HQ of the Azov regiment, recently reformed, and deployed near Kharkov. Note a piece of the pre-war Azov was sent to Kharkov, and goes by the name Kraken these days.


Russian strikes land in Kharkov area.


The Shebelinskaya oil refinery near Kharkov was apparently hit.


Russian strike allegedly on a fuel storage facility near Kharkov.


Russian strike on the Kremenchug oil refinery. Allegedly 6 missiles hit the refinery, and 2 a local power plant.


LDNR Front.

Shelling of Donetsk continues.


Another large explosion in Severodonetsk.


Ukrainian Strela-10 destroyed near Lisichansk.


Allegedly a group of Ukrainian POWs captured in Severodonetsk.


There are reports that regular logistics to Lisichansk have been cut, and Ukrainian forces are using improvised routes to get in supplies. It's unclear why this is as the road Lisichansk-Seversk is still open. It's possible Russian fires are the issue.


A pair of Russian Su-25SM3 near Severodonetsk.


LNR fighters apparently using a Milan-2 ATGM in Severodonetsk.


Rebel T-62Ms near Severodonetsk. Note a roof cage on one, ERA sideskirts on one, and turret up-armoring on all but one, which apparently isn't even a T-62M, but a regular T-62. At the end of the column we see a BREM-1.


3 BMPTs, most likely also near Severodonetsk. There used to be 4 of them. Did the filming person just miss the first one? Or was one lost?


Russian Chechen fighters, likely irregulars, in Severodonetsk trying to win hearts and minds with the locals. They also show off some captured munitions. Note, while there is heavy fighting in one area of the city now, much of the residential areas fell with minimal resistance and remain in tact. It's unclear what portion of the population is still in the city.


Ukrainian M-109 in Pokrovsk. Note the battle damage.


Russia.


7 Iskander launches out of Belgorod, one of the launches apparently failed and blew up in the sky.


Misc.

Russian Msta-S (SM?) operating together with Orlan-10 UAVs.


Ukrainian fighters trading grenade fire with someone.


Allegedly a modified Ukrainian BTR-60 captured.


A rare Russian Rychag-AV helo-based EW system. Location unclear.


Russian 2nd SpN Bde with a Russian empire flag that says "We're Russian, God is with us".


Ukrainian improvised MLRS using aviation rocket pods.


Ukrainian forces have been spotted with 20N5 Azeri 120mm mortars.


NATO/EU.

The UK will allegedly supply Ukraine with L118 105mm howitzers.


Russian Mi-17-V5s being prepped by the US for supplies to Ukraine.

 
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