Pretty good example of "hit 'em where they ain't", attributable to Bedford Forrest or Sun Tzu. Lots of room to maneuver, and they can control RU logistics towards Donbas.
Neither -It was Baseball player Wee Willie Kellar "Keeler's advice to hitters was "Keep your eye clear, and hit 'em where they ain't"—"they" being the opposing fielders."
Russia didn't know it was coming, because they don't have the men to defend their borders anymore much less men able to watch what the Ukrainians may or may not have been doing in Sumy Oblast. Not just Ukraine's northern border, but any border, anywhere. They are mostly concentrated in Donetsk Oblast trying to take Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Chasiv Yar.
The border posts on the Finnish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian borders are empty. If Georgia moved into South Osettia, or Abkhazia for example, the border is almost undefended.
There is also the possibility that the pressure to come to a deal might be strengthened by offering some of Russia back in any negotiation. Also it potentially exposes the shallow reserves —- Russia should be furiously ejecting/eradicating these troops with every resource. Maybe it demonstrates their depleated reserves.
As to why the Ukrainians decided to risk this maneuver, I wonder if they looked at what happened when Progrozhin led his troops towards Moscow or rather what did not happen. If so, they probably decided that it would be lightly enough defended area to risk this diversion
I'm looking forward to hearing the stories behind some of the Ukrainian intentions in this action. I can only imagine the confusion on the Russian side.
The Ukrainian attack got further into Russia than Russia's invasion got into the Kherson direction.
How did the Russia's miss the Ukrainian build-up? They were probably on a drinking binge and were too drunk to understand what was happening. They know now. And I hope the Ukrainians brought lots and lots of MANPADS to shoot down the Orc's attack helicopters and bombers.
An historic and important part of Russia’s Armed forces that is responsible for defending, repairing, building (when necessary) Russias railroad network.
Ukraine’s current invasion may, at least in part, be aimed at interfering with Russias ability to move military assets in areas north of Ukraine.
Seems Russia likes to move their military about by rail.
And perhaps their esteemed Railway Troops organization is just as complacent (corrupt?) as the rest of the Russian military and that a major disruption by Ukraine is possible.
Tunnels and large railway bridges/infrastructure are difficult to repair in a hurry.
I would imagine that a number of Russian rail lines are electrified.
Don’t know how electric power is moved within Russia, but downing a major transmission line or two (and major electric switch yards, transformers, etc.) might also impair Russia’s ability to operate trains.
Russian public, what with their civilian air carriers hampered by lack of parts and maintenance, may be somewhat pissed if they cannot instead take a train to get where they need to be!
There is a rail line near to where Ukrainian forces are operating in their current invasion, and what may be an important rail junction a little ways further north...
Ryan. Please try to investigate the originator of the fake story about detention camps on the Falklands that Musk tweeted. I know some far right idiot shared it and is early in the chain, but who compiled the article is the most interesting thing.
"O Sultan, Turkish devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight are you, that can't slay a hedgehog with your naked arse? The devil excretes, and your army eats. You will not, you son of a bitch, make subjects of Christian sons; we've not fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee; fuck your mother.
You Babylonian scullions, Macedonia wheelwright, brewer of Jerusalem, goat-fucker of Alexandria, swineherd of Greater and Lesser Egypt, Pig of Armenia, Poldolian thief, catamite of Tartary, hangman of Kamyanets, and fool of all the world and underworld, an idiot before God, grandson of the Serpent, and the crink in our dick. Pig's snout, mare's arse, slaughterhouse cur, unchristened brow, screw your own mother!
So the Zaporozhians declare, you lowlife. You won't even be herding pigs for the Christians. Now we'll conclude, for we don't know the date and don't own a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year with the Lord, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our arse!
koshovyi otaman Ivan Sirko, with the whole Zaporozhian Host."
It is kind of in their DNA, so there's that. Never question a Cossack
I should add this was a reply to Sultan Mehmed IV, 1676.
Ryan, you talked me out of five bucks a month on this one.. love your last minute "wtf" from a tactical standpoint. If you're ever are passing though Kansas City... Please reach out! We could talk for hours over some BBQ, Scotch, and Tabbaco. 11B NCO, 10MT DIV, 1/87INF, B CO
Pretty good example of "hit 'em where they ain't", attributable to Bedford Forrest or Sun Tzu. Lots of room to maneuver, and they can control RU logistics towards Donbas.
Neither -It was Baseball player Wee Willie Kellar "Keeler's advice to hitters was "Keep your eye clear, and hit 'em where they ain't"—"they" being the opposing fielders."
Russia didn't know it was coming, because they don't have the men to defend their borders anymore much less men able to watch what the Ukrainians may or may not have been doing in Sumy Oblast. Not just Ukraine's northern border, but any border, anywhere. They are mostly concentrated in Donetsk Oblast trying to take Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Chasiv Yar.
The border posts on the Finnish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian borders are empty. If Georgia moved into South Osettia, or Abkhazia for example, the border is almost undefended.
Gee, you’d think the Ukrainians had some kind of special ability to see the terrain from space and/or really good sigint. Nahh….
There is also the possibility that the pressure to come to a deal might be strengthened by offering some of Russia back in any negotiation. Also it potentially exposes the shallow reserves —- Russia should be furiously ejecting/eradicating these troops with every resource. Maybe it demonstrates their depleated reserves.
As to why the Ukrainians decided to risk this maneuver, I wonder if they looked at what happened when Progrozhin led his troops towards Moscow or rather what did not happen. If so, they probably decided that it would be lightly enough defended area to risk this diversion
I'm looking forward to hearing the stories behind some of the Ukrainian intentions in this action. I can only imagine the confusion on the Russian side.
The Ukrainian attack got further into Russia than Russia's invasion got into the Kherson direction.
How did the Russia's miss the Ukrainian build-up? They were probably on a drinking binge and were too drunk to understand what was happening. They know now. And I hope the Ukrainians brought lots and lots of MANPADS to shoot down the Orc's attack helicopters and bombers.
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Anders Puck Nelson suggests one of the reasons is to make Russia keep on the offensive even after they culminate in 4-6 weeks.
Open stream of consciousness is oftentimes a good thing
Greetings…
Interesting reading...
Russian Railway Troops:
An historic and important part of Russia’s Armed forces that is responsible for defending, repairing, building (when necessary) Russias railroad network.
https://www.cna.org/reports/2023/04/Russias-Railway-Troops.pdf
Ukraine’s current invasion may, at least in part, be aimed at interfering with Russias ability to move military assets in areas north of Ukraine.
Seems Russia likes to move their military about by rail.
And perhaps their esteemed Railway Troops organization is just as complacent (corrupt?) as the rest of the Russian military and that a major disruption by Ukraine is possible.
Tunnels and large railway bridges/infrastructure are difficult to repair in a hurry.
I would imagine that a number of Russian rail lines are electrified.
Don’t know how electric power is moved within Russia, but downing a major transmission line or two (and major electric switch yards, transformers, etc.) might also impair Russia’s ability to operate trains.
Russian public, what with their civilian air carriers hampered by lack of parts and maintenance, may be somewhat pissed if they cannot instead take a train to get where they need to be!
There is a rail line near to where Ukrainian forces are operating in their current invasion, and what may be an important rail junction a little ways further north...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xD8XNiYRhBZhmHYv9?g_st=i
Don’t know terrain but might be bridges and tunnels whose destruction might also aid Ukraines 2024 summer offensive.
Stay Well...
Stay Well…
Ryan. Please try to investigate the originator of the fake story about detention camps on the Falklands that Musk tweeted. I know some far right idiot shared it and is early in the chain, but who compiled the article is the most interesting thing.
If I could get to the K, I would force a scram of the reactor shutting down 25 to 35 percent of Russia's arms building capacities. but that's just me.
Audacity?
"O Sultan, Turkish devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight are you, that can't slay a hedgehog with your naked arse? The devil excretes, and your army eats. You will not, you son of a bitch, make subjects of Christian sons; we've not fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee; fuck your mother.
You Babylonian scullions, Macedonia wheelwright, brewer of Jerusalem, goat-fucker of Alexandria, swineherd of Greater and Lesser Egypt, Pig of Armenia, Poldolian thief, catamite of Tartary, hangman of Kamyanets, and fool of all the world and underworld, an idiot before God, grandson of the Serpent, and the crink in our dick. Pig's snout, mare's arse, slaughterhouse cur, unchristened brow, screw your own mother!
So the Zaporozhians declare, you lowlife. You won't even be herding pigs for the Christians. Now we'll conclude, for we don't know the date and don't own a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year with the Lord, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our arse!
koshovyi otaman Ivan Sirko, with the whole Zaporozhian Host."
It is kind of in their DNA, so there's that. Never question a Cossack
I should add this was a reply to Sultan Mehmed IV, 1676.
Audacity skill level: epic
Because they should’ve been doing this since Day1….. use whatever means necessary to disrupt your enemy behind their own lines
A RR line not far away, and a junction with another not too far up the pike.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KyMN4FkxVfYDGxqT8?g_st=ic
Any tunnels to blow up?
Or major RR bridges?
Kinda hard to fix those in a hurry....
Also, major electrical infrastructure, if for nothing else but to cut power to RR lines that use electricity to power their trains.
Seems Russia really likes to move military assets around by train.
Ryan, you talked me out of five bucks a month on this one.. love your last minute "wtf" from a tactical standpoint. If you're ever are passing though Kansas City... Please reach out! We could talk for hours over some BBQ, Scotch, and Tabbaco. 11B NCO, 10MT DIV, 1/87INF, B CO