Ukraine

[Frances_iom]

I suspect most of those lost in the latest fighting were the 'freed' convicts - cheap way of emptying the jails - Chancellor Scholz is possibly looking to the future when Germany will again be in 'friendship' with a dePutinized Russia and can exploit the cheap energy to dominate the EU.

[Frances_iom]

well the die is cast - German tanks soon will be back in Ukraine - too few I think for the length of the front as the cost of support too high for just a few thus concentrated use seem appropriate so where will/should they be employed.

One joker in the pack so far unplayed is Belarus which could close the Suwalki corridor which sometime ago the EU was to develop as a key rail link to the Baltic states

[ardcarp]

Tanks. Hmm. Very glad the West is providing what Ukraine wants. But a tank...a big metal box with caterpillar tracks and a big gun on the front AND containing live people...seems such an unwieldy and primitive article of warfare. It was invented around WW1 time. Isn't there anything more sophisticated? If you really need to kill people, that is.

[Petrushka]

Tanks. Hmm. Very glad the West is providing what Ukraine wants. But a tank...a big metal box with caterpillar tracks and a big gun on the front AND containing live people...seems such an unwieldy and primitive article of warfare. It was invented around WW1 time. Isn't there anything more sophisticated? If you really need to kill people, that is.

Both the Leopard 2 tank from Germany and the US M1 Abrams tank are considered state of the art, have very powerful engines and are far better than anything the Russians have.

There's a good explainer here https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/...ant-in-ukraine

My concern would be 'mission creep' in which the West is gradually getting increasingly involved in this war, though I still think the decision to supply these tanks is the correct one.

[JasonPalmer]

Opportunity lost, they should have sent hundreds of tanks and f16 fighters.

[ardcarp]

The problem is that Russia is a 'superpower, with a massive nuclear capability. The West is willing to help measured 'conventional' warfare on the Ukrainian land-mass, but given Putin's psychopathic nature, the danger of escalation to a nuclear WW3 is very real.

[richardfinegold]

. Isn't there anything more sophisticated? If you really need to kill people, that is.

Of course there is. Look at all the GPS guided artillery shells and drones in this conflict. Ultimately, however, in order to occupy or retake territory, one needs real humans on the ground. Those humans are more effective if 1) Adequately shielded from opposing fire, and
2) able to dish out lethality from their shielded enclosure.
Your rhetorical question reflects how most people conceive of War currently. If War is necessary, then we prefer it to be fought from 20,000 above ground, using technologically sophisticated weaponry that ideally kills our adversaries without collateral damage and any casualties of our own. The First Gulf War and Bosnia, for example. However it usually is messier than that

[JasonPalmer]

The problem is that Russia is a 'superpower, with a massive nuclear capability. The West is willing to help measured 'conventional' warfare on the Ukrainian land-mass, but given Putin's psychopathic nature, the danger of escalation to a nuclear WW3 is very real.

Indeed but Poland needs a resounding victory to ensure a NATO neighbour, I really think we need to back this proxy world war with more heavy equipment or Russia may win a summer offensive.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Of course there is. Look at all the GPS guided artillery shells and drones in this conflict. Ultimately, however, in order to occupy or retake territory, one needs real humans on the ground. Those humans are more effective if 1) Adequately shielded from opposing fire, and
2) able to dish out lethality from their shielded enclosure.
Your rhetorical question reflects how most people conceive of War currently. If War is necessary, then we prefer it to be fought from 20,000 above ground, using technologically sophisticated weaponry that ideally kills our adversaries without collateral damage and any casualties of our own. The First Gulf War and Bosnia, for example. However it usually is messier than that

Couldn't agree more Richard. All the other weaponry may reduce the need for tanks etc. However, a relative who served in a tank regiment said very much the same with regard to the need for infantry - people - and armour etc to sweep, occupy and hold any ground taken, which won't change. That is until various sci-fi - or such - predicted beings become reality.

[JasonPalmer]

Remember someone on a documentary saying tanks can take ground but can't hold it, infantry required. The anti tank weapons seem to be something of a game changer at the moment. I suppose it all depends on how the Russians recruit and train for the spring offensive. May have been best to avoid all this bloodshed and just partitioned the country from the start.

[Anastasius]

Remember someone on a documentary saying tanks can take ground but can't hold it, infantry required. The anti tank weapons seem to be something of a game changer at the moment. I suppose it all depends on how the Russians recruit and train for the spring offensive. May have been best to avoid all this bloodshed and just partitioned the country from the start.

Why ? How would you feel if, say, Scotland invaded England and got down as far as Manchester? Would you be happy to partition the country ? (No puns please on North vs South)

Russia has declared war on Ukraine. Simple as that. Ukraine needs all our support.

[Anastasius]

I do have one question and that is why the 'West' hasn't imposed drastic sanctions on Iran for supplying Putin with all those drones that have destroyed the infrastructure?

[Frances_iom]

I do have one question and that is why the 'West' hasn't imposed drastic sanctions on Iran for supplying Putin with all those drones that have destroyed the infrastructure?

Iran already sees heavy sanctions - whilst there is a slight hope that the arrangement to restrict Iran's production of enriched Uranium could be revived I guess the West wants to allow itself some leeway in this respect.

[Anastasius]

Iran already sees heavy sanctions - whilst there is a slight hope that the arrangement to restrict Iran's production of enriched Uranium could be revived I guess the West wants to allow itself some leeway in this respect.

The scary thing is that there seems to be some traction in the idea that Russia has agreed a deal with Iran to exchange nuclear know-how, materials etc for drones. Bad news all round.

[JasonPalmer]

Oh dear, axis of evil again.... Russia,Iran,china ?