jetsam1
Radge McRadge of Radge End
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2003
- Messages
- 1,236
- Reaction score
- 423
- Points
- 93
I still think in a historical context the Falklands War is still too close for real assessment and objectivity. But that might just be me!!The excuse from Russia of the West 'closing' in and threatening its borders is garbage as you state but they have made a huge error in underestimating the Ukranians will to fight and the effectiveness of modern weapons.
The Xbox point is valid in context as you have all of these statistics being churned out and NOBODY knows their authenticity NOBODY. Ukrainian people are displaced over Europe now and as for the number of vehicles destroyed, soldiers killed, missiles fired etc no chance they know these and the stats are being used for legitimising reports/stories and in some cases sensationalism.
Tayside Hibee mentioned the Gulf - we still have no idea how many Iraqis died in that conflict and that was 30 years ago.
It is just humans have been in this situation many times before and this scenario playing out has been seen many times so we can make some judgements at a strategic level. Of course I fully agree stats and reported losses are unlikely to be accurate as on the ground they cannot be fully verified. But Russian tactics are known from Syria and Chechnia as in they target civilian infrastructure to break morale. There are far too many reports and pictures and international journalists actually killed that the damage must be extensive. I also don't think the Russian commanders fancy sending their infantry into street fighting hence the use of artillary.
I think with social media and the internet as a mature tool Zelenskiy is fighting the war with PR as well, winning certainly as frankly what comes out of Russia is laughably ridiculous and patent BS. I really do not know how Lavrov can keep a straight face. There is nothing that we havn't seen before her and the trajectory is unlikley to be wildly different.
Agreed on the way the Russians have comported themselves, either they are that awful at logistics and basic planning or they realy were expecting it to be a parade through Kiev with adoring crowds? After watching the USA and UK etc for the last 20 years they didn't learn much. But then kleptocratic corruption has an insidious effect on all levels I suppose.
Yes all this is happening just one border away from me and depending how Putin escalates (or not) overspill is always a possibility. Not really approving of soldiers messing around about Nuclear power plants for example........