Ukraine mega thread

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by SunnySide

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told French media on Wednesday that Russia had 500,000 troops ready for an attack to come in weeks. That number is far higher than the 300,000 newly enlisted soldiers Russian President Vladimir Putin called up this past autumn.

“Officially, they announced 300,000, but when we see the troops at the borders, according to our assessments it is much more,” Reznikov said.

And senior Ukrainian defense ministry official Yuriy Sak told NBC News Thursday that officials are worried Moscow’s military is preparing for a soon-to-come assault aimed at turning the war in the Kremlin’s favor.

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3...for-offensive/

Russia has some military holiday on Feb 23rd .. expectation is major attack on Feb 24

Ukraine has to be tired and stretched thin

Also read these are more trained and elite mechanized forces amassed at the front, not the cannon fodder from the last 6 months.

[nonniey]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Also read these are more trained and elite mechanized forces amassed at the front, not the cannon fodder from the last 6 months.

They are not elite. They are mostly newer mobilized/recruited soldiers that received more training than the last iteration (who basically received none). Their elite forces (those that got years of training - ie VDV) were decimated last March-April. That said I'd expect these guys to do better than the last batch did over last summer and fall (They will be reinforced with the remnants of their regular professional forces as well).

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Also read these are more trained and elite mechanized forces amassed at the front, not the cannon fodder from the last 6 months.

Don't believe that. Russia sent it's A team in last February. The military massed for this offensive might not be cannon fodder, but they aren't elite either. Expect Ukraine to bend but do a lot of killing as they bend back to pre-positioned defensive lines. Once this offensive ends, expect the Ukrainians trained with western tanks to retake any gains Russia makes, and push the borders back toward Crimea and deep into Luhansk.