Russian special military operation in Ukraine #47

Dr.Snufflebug wrote:Insane battle footage from today, as UA is throwing its last remaining NATO-trained and -supplied reserves at Rabotyne.

I don't discount the possibility of a RU withdrawal, as it's still in the "grey zone" and RU is casualty-adverse. So it would make sense, if UA has enough meat to throw at it to tip the scale, even if only temporarily.

But so far, it's just been an outright slaughter. In one of the clips you see UA armor (82nd? Strykers, Marders, Leopards and even Challengers) getting roughed up bad, with the ones late to the party just reversing back, seeing the carnage around.

One gung-ho T-90 crew having a literal blast as well, reminiscent of that "Russian Rambo" sequence from a few weeks back.

Actual tank-on-tank engagements have been exceedingly rare throughout the conflict, but lately we've seen a bunch, and RU crews have really excelled, though I gotta say it oftentimes looks a bit foolhardy.

Arkanghelsk wrote:So the US approved F16, this is big

Won't get them in until next year

Either way, they would have to fly them from bases that have runways, and I'm sure everything is gonna get slammed now

Rather wrap this up fast before it gets to point where nuclear can be an option

Arkanghelsk wrote:So the US approved F16, this is big

Won't get them in until next year

Either way, they would have to fly them from bases that have runways, and I'm sure everything is gonna get slammed now

Rather wrap this up fast before it gets to point where nuclear can be an option

Reuters learned about the US approval of the transfer of F-16 to Kyiv from Denmark and the Netherlands, 08.17.2023.

Reuters: US approves transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands.

The United States approved the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands after the completion of pilot training, Reuters writes. The White House said earlier that they were considering the possibility of such actions. Moscow condemns military aid to Kyiv

The United States approved the transfer of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine upon completion of pilot training, reportsReuters, citing an American official.

Washington has given Copenhagen and Amsterdam official assurances that the US will expedite approval of all necessary third-party requests to transfer aircraft to Ukraine for Kyiv to receive after pilot training is completed. The agency notes that Denmark and the Netherlands, which lead the pilot training coalition, have recently requested such assurances.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken sent letters to his Danish and Dutch counterparts, reassuring them that the requests would be approved, a Reuters source said .

“I am writing to express the full support of the United States for both the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors,” the agency quotes from Blinken’s letter to two officials.

The Secretary of State also wrote that the approval of third party requests would allow Ukraine "to take full advantage of its new capabilities once the first set of pilots complete their training."

White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said earlier that the United States and partners are working on ways to transfer F-16s to Ukraine from third countries. “We want to do it as soon as possible,” Kirby said on CNN (quoted by RIA Novosti ).

He also said that Washington expects to start training Ukrainian pilots to fly these fighters "relatively soon."

https://www.rbc.ru/politics/18/08/2023/64de88499a794743ed9a85fc

Arkanghelsk wrote:F16 can be datalinked

Don't underestimate the enemy, they have surprised before

Kiko wrote:Test-fire an unarmed long range Iskander from a Russian base traveling throughout the whole Northern European airspace and diving in the Atlantic as an ultimate warning signal!

Sprut-B wrote:

https://twitter.com/_Surovikin_/status/1692213770938986631?t=ksUFejHyIonzsiS3715d9g&s=19

https://twitter.com/GammonBadge/status/1692039115221410258?t=IRpGbONXO9JKqSIojmRJ2w&s=19

Backman wrote:Someone should put little flags or circles in the clip to show whats going on

https://twitter.com/_Surovikin_/status/1692213559227298116?s=20

Arkanghelsk wrote:So the US approved F16, this is big

Won't get them in until next year

Either way, they would have to fly them from bases that have runways, and I'm sure everything is gonna get slammed now

Rather wrap this up fast before it gets to point where nuclear can be an option

Arkanghelsk wrote:F16 can be datalinked with E3 AWACS

Meaning they will have the picture of everything which is occurring ....

Arkanghelsk wrote:...Don't underestimate the enemy,  they have surprised before ...

ALAMO wrote:The issue is that obviously not all Romanians who are filming share Ukrainian position
In one of the films, the guy clearly cheers incoming Geranium with loud applause of his and his colleagues in the background when the drone hits the target.

Arkanghelsk wrote:F16 can be datalinked with E3 AWACS

Meaning they will have the picture of everything which is occurring

Their strikes can be timed with lack of air coverage, and F16 can provide CAS support for attacking Ukrainian troops

If they are layered with BUK , then VKS has to potentially expose themselves to SAM fire when they hunt the F16

It will require tweaking tactical systems

Because for sure the spring counter counter counter offensive of the Ukrainians will be protected by F16 CAS

It means KA52 and MI28 have to be careful

It means Su34 using FAB must also be careful that Ukrainians don't fire AMRAAM from 70km

It means that VKS will be more involved in protecting active defense positions

It's not so simple to dismiss it offhand as a "wunderwaffe"

Don't underestimate the enemy,  they have surprised before