Russia Invades Ukraine. Volume 5
Discussion
There are a couple of points to make from a Finnish perspective. We have a stronger military position now than at any time in our history. Unlike other European countries who have professionalized the military into swat teams. Finland over the past 30 years has spent money on long term strategic equipment and on site manufacturing including passive civilian planning as we were not in NATO. We bought used Leopard Tanks and other air defence and have only this year increased over the 2% gdp line.
Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
Digga said:
It's just one small, but interesting indicator though, in the vast imponderable slew of data that you consider when wondering "how long can they go on for?"
The nation is, basically, eating itself.
Random thoughts:The nation is, basically, eating itself.
Obvs, Putin's horizon is his lifetime and the lifetime of his lackeys who are all in their 70s.
The process of ceasing to eat yourself also comes with pain.
Russia are planning to reduce military spending after this year.
sisu said:
There are a couple of points to make from a Finnish perspective. We have a stronger military position now than at any time in our history. Unlike other European countries who have professionalized the military into swat teams. Finland over the past 30 years has spent money on long term strategic equipment and on site manufacturing including passive civilian planning as we were not in NATO. We bought used Leopard Tanks and other air defence and have only this year increased over the 2% gdp line.
Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
That’s really interesting, thanks for posting that. Certainly sounds like Finland have done an impressive job and put a lot of Europe to shame ! Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
bmwmike said:
Rumblestripe said:
Artillery shell shortage ended.
Nice targets!
Spare tyre said:
bmwmike said:
Rumblestripe said:
Artillery shell shortage ended.
Nice targets!
It would seem, reading between the lines, that whilst congress and the political machine were prepared to use the point as a political football, the US military were in no doubt about what should be done, or the gravity of the situation. Anyway, kudos to all involved in the logistics and all strength the the UA.
Cheib said:
sisu said:
There are a couple of points to make from a Finnish perspective. We have a stronger military position now than at any time in our history. Unlike other European countries who have professionalized the military into swat teams. Finland over the past 30 years has spent money on long term strategic equipment and on site manufacturing including passive civilian planning as we were not in NATO. We bought used Leopard Tanks and other air defence and have only this year increased over the 2% gdp line.
Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
That’s really interesting, thanks for posting that. Certainly sounds like Finland have done an impressive job and put a lot of Europe to shame ! Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
A while ago (possibly linked from this thread), I saw a short video which provided some information on the Finnish military. Very interesting, and very much in line with what Sisu posted above.
Spare tyre said:
bmwmike said:
Rumblestripe said:
Artillery shell shortage ended.
Nice targets!
This is quite a good watch. 80% of Russian vehicle supply are refurbed old stock, by the end of next year Russia will have to start making new vehicles because they will have run out of stock of old kit to raid. A lot more in it than that a fairly detailed summary of the state of things right now.
https://youtu.be/c2-UtAsdyBU?si=JoWXX9CqECcKUoMA
Cheib said:
sisu said:
There are a couple of points to make from a Finnish perspective. We have a stronger military position now than at any time in our history. Unlike other European countries who have professionalized the military into swat teams. Finland over the past 30 years has spent money on long term strategic equipment and on site manufacturing including passive civilian planning as we were not in NATO. We bought used Leopard Tanks and other air defence and have only this year increased over the 2% gdp line.
Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
That’s really interesting, thanks for posting that. Certainly sounds like Finland have done an impressive job and put a lot of Europe to shame ! Russia has spent the last 2 1/2 years emptying its assets from the border, maybe not in the Northern Lapland Kola peninsula. But they are depleted.
We are not as alarmist as Sweden or other countries given the depth we have as a stepping off point. We have all the things that Ukraine is asking for at the moment already in place. Europe's largest Artillery network, including manufacturing on site, we are bigger than Germany.
Having observed the Russian war against Ukraine with strikes on civilian targets, it has reinforced the Total War planning of Finland. This idea of what does say your power company do with all the other parts of society to act if there is a disaster. Not just a war.
Unlike the pre Nato time where Estonia/Lithuania are isolated as a geographical outpost, now the ambiguity of Finland and Swedens role in Russia's plan is not there and this is very challenging for Russia. Given that St Petersburg is only 300km from our border and we could strike at any point East of Finland its not as easy as it once was.
We don't term the threat in our training as the "Yellow opponent" anymore, its just Russia. This decision to make waters inland Russian has no affect on our strategy in the future as this is Russia on its own doing this, not an agreement or any international law.
Along with our 65 F-35s the Navy are getting new ships which are already in production in Ussikaupunki as we speak.
Finland absolutely punches well above its size and would be a formidable opponent for Russia, should they wish to 'give it a go'. Finland fought long and hard for its independence and culture over hundreds of years and has been the subject of a number of oppressive regimes, control and rule by its neighbors. Once it got its independence, its not going to give it up any time soon. Finland played the long game and it shows.
Fanscinating interview with Professor Sarah Paine of the US Naval War College touching on global stability, grand strategy, the war in Ukraine and also Taiwan. I don't think it has been posted before, it's seven months old so apologies if so.
I've yet to watch the whole two and half hours but in the short excerpts there are some very coherent points on Putin, Sanctions and Global order. Probably not actually anything that hasn't been said before, but it's good to hear it so eloquently from someone who has forgotten more about military history and strategy than I'll ever learn.
Snippet of the interview specifically on Nuclear escalation but I've timestamped on her comment about Putin having no backup plan.
https://youtu.be/UUNYqAFrlFA?feature=shared&t=...
Full interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVSgYz5SJ8
I shall have to pick up some of her books on Military History.
I've yet to watch the whole two and half hours but in the short excerpts there are some very coherent points on Putin, Sanctions and Global order. Probably not actually anything that hasn't been said before, but it's good to hear it so eloquently from someone who has forgotten more about military history and strategy than I'll ever learn.
Snippet of the interview specifically on Nuclear escalation but I've timestamped on her comment about Putin having no backup plan.
https://youtu.be/UUNYqAFrlFA?feature=shared&t=...
Full interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVSgYz5SJ8
I shall have to pick up some of her books on Military History.
Wayoftheflower said:
Fanscinating interview with Professor Sarah Paine of the US Naval War College touching on global stability, grand strategy, the war in Ukraine and also Taiwan. I don't think it has been posted before, it's seven months old so apologies if so.
I've yet to watch the whole two and half hours but in the short excerpts there are some very coherent points on Putin, Sanctions and Global order. Probably not actually anything that hasn't been said before, but it's good to hear it so eloquently from someone who has forgotten more about military history and strategy than I'll ever learn.
Snippet of the interview specifically on Nuclear escalation but I've timestamped on her comment about Putin having no backup plan.
https://youtu.be/UUNYqAFrlFA?feature=shared&t=...
Full interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVSgYz5SJ8
I shall have to pick up some of her books on Military History.
Very interesting, thanks. I've yet to watch the whole two and half hours but in the short excerpts there are some very coherent points on Putin, Sanctions and Global order. Probably not actually anything that hasn't been said before, but it's good to hear it so eloquently from someone who has forgotten more about military history and strategy than I'll ever learn.
Snippet of the interview specifically on Nuclear escalation but I've timestamped on her comment about Putin having no backup plan.
https://youtu.be/UUNYqAFrlFA?feature=shared&t=...
Full interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVSgYz5SJ8
I shall have to pick up some of her books on Military History.
The Russians have arrested a 3rd General Ivan Popov. He is not an uber rich yacht owner. He was the Southern General in Ukraine, one who criticised Suiguo and the others and being a soldiers soldier he was transferred to Syria after criticising openly how the war is being run on TV.
After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
sisu said:
The Russians have arrested a 3rd General Ivan Popov. He is not an uber rich yacht owner. He was the Southern General in Ukraine, one who criticised Suiguo and the others and being a soldiers soldier he was transferred to Syria after criticising openly how the war is being run on TV.
After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
It's the last days for a kabal of ageing gangsters and cronies. No one is safe. As the size of the cake decreases, the squabbling and infighting will only intensify.After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
sisu said:
The Russians have arrested a 3rd General Ivan Popov. He is not an uber rich yacht owner. He was the Southern General in Ukraine, one who criticised Suiguo and the others and being a soldiers soldier he was transferred to Syria after criticising openly how the war is being run on TV.
After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
In the scale of things, that's akin to nicking milk money/ paper round money. Don't arrest the guy using a 36m^3 Zerex digger, but get the guy with a shovel.After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
sisu said:
The Russians have arrested a 3rd General Ivan Popov. He is not an uber rich yacht owner. He was the Southern General in Ukraine, one who criticised Suiguo and the others and being a soldiers soldier he was transferred to Syria after criticising openly how the war is being run on TV.
After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
Wasn't he in Rentaghost? After Shuiguo and the new defence minister economist Andrei Belousov got back from China they arrested Popov on allegations of theft, embezzling $1mil in the procurement of the metal to be used in defences.
Reason why you would see this as odd, Popov was not the General incharge of buying equipment, Timur Ivanov was in charge of procurement for the military in that region. Why was a General recalled from Syria and arrested?
This is a good way to remove threats from the only challenge to KGB authority, probably not the best when you are fighting a war.
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