Sure, but if some people are skeptical about this you won't have qualms to wave the magic "b" button? right?

ftfy.
(i don't necessarily disagree with more weapons for ukraine but just thought this was a more realistic assessment)

Kinda true. Resources such as grain would still get exported, just that profits would go to oligarchs rather than back to the farmers.

Good thread my Gen Hertling on this, and the timing implications.

https://twitter.com/MarkHertling/sta...05965118537732

These are all valid concerns and as a non-expert, particularly on tanks, there's no chance for me to challenge them. BUT, the question for me is even simpler:


1. Will the Ukrainians be better off with or without these tanks even with limited training? For me it's obvious, yes
2. There's still a month or two of winter which I assume means relatively static armies giving a bit of time for the Ukrainians to learn the new machines even better. The Russians are unlikely to start moving in large numbers before making sure that the last winter freeze is gone, meaning end feb


But it's all keyboard generalism here

Sure, and I don't think Hertling is against tank deliveries at all. He just points to the practical aspects which I thought were interesting. The guy commanded tank armies in combat (Iraq) and did extensive training to other NATO and UA units, so I think he know what he is talking about.

Sounds reasonable, machines break apart and need care. I'd wouldn't be surprised if there are 3-4 highly trained people working on maintenance or logistics per each person on a tank. So, miracles don't happen by chance, some work is needed to make them happen.

Let's hope they have more success with them than these buffons

This is assuming that they are all ready to go and are being picked up by Fedex for 2 day delivery to Poland for practice.

The reality and logistics is probably a little different

Your example is different though. Unguarded tanks are the recipe for the disaster in the first Chechen war in which the invading Russian tanks were torn apart by the Chechens without any armed vehicles. In the case of Ukraine, they know how to guard them, the question posed by komsomolez is whether they will be sufficiently trained to get the maximum out of it or it could just add an unnecessary level of complexity

Every story has two sides and there are many in Russia who do not share your rosy views.
For example convicted terrorist Igor Girkin has moved from relatively mild criticism of a few days ago
"according to an analysis of the actions of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the past year - the military leadership of the enemy practically does not commit obvious stupidities.
"Unlike..."... unfortunately..."

to now more direct

"The Supreme Commander-in-Chief still removes himself from even the formal leadership of the Armed Forces, shifting these responsibilities to a cretin who completely failed in preparation for war."

and

"Data on the continuation of offensive operations of the RF Armed Forces in the Zaporozhye region have not been received for more than a day.
Statements were made officially that with their strike the RF Armed Forces "threatened the enemy's impending offensive."
Whether this is so (or they are lying again) is difficult for me to judge."

and

"Therefore, I personally have only two working versions of the behavior of the Kremlin inhabitants:
- either they still have not yet realized the fatal nature of the confrontation with the United States and NATO and the fact is that it may not end in no "compromises";
- or - realizing everything well, they simply fell into prostration and stupor (as often happens with cowardly, and even deeply elderly people) - and a feeling of panic completely paralyzed them."

I don't have "rosy views".

Gen Hertling's final sentence

"Tanks will make a difference, but there'll be hiccups."

Sounds reasonable.

After the freeze comes the mud where tracked vehicles have an advantage - how well that works for extremely heavy MBTs I do not know.

You cannot look at the tanks in isolation. Together with HIMARS, Bradleys, Strykers, Archers, etc all working together with trained troops and tactics , Ukraine will have the ability to win. The MBTs do have great psychological effect on the enemy though.

What is really missing is good aerial support.

no planes? what's a few more billion dollars to throw on the fire

Erdogan is not the only one profiting from Ukraine's misery!!!

- The Biden administration is profiting from Ukraine's misery.

https://www.politico.eu/article/vlad...ting-from-war/

- The western (mostly American) military–industrial complex is profiting from Ukraine's misery.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/austr...ne/ar-AA16zrVD

https://www.wionews.com/the-military...-supply-500972

- Iran is profiting from Ukraine's misery.

https://www.ft.com/content/3186bc3e-...8-224237572c6d

https://theconversation.com/a-winner...u-think-189036

- Dubai is profiting from Ukraine's misery.

https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abne...cord-56bn-year

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mark...ys/ar-AA16qZEb

- Most Asian countries (India, China, Korea ...) are profiting from Ukraine's misery!

https://www.theguardian.com/business...or-russian-oil

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wh...ts-11654021874

War will make some very rich......and some very poor.

Moldova is another victim of this tragic war. The forgotten country is facing poverty on an unprecedented scale. While the situation seems stable in Chisinau/Kishinev, the disruptions in Ukraine have dramatically deteriorated Moldovans' standard of living. Over the past 12 months, electricity and gas prices have increased 3 to 7 times. More than 50% of people are struggling to afford the basics, including food. Amid the galloping inflation caused by higher energy prices, many are unable to pay their winter gas bills. Desperation and unemployment have forced thousands of women into prostitution.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...ty/ar-AA16xywi

Ask Guderian how his Tigers fared against the T34 in Rasputitsa. The mud will hinder the Super heavy MBT´s and will probably level the field in battles with the much lighter T90´s and T72´s.
(60 to 80t vrs, 40 to 45t)
The Tigers has a kill ratio of 1:12, which is about the same ration of LeoII´s and Abrams to the Russian tanks.

Fact free!

Poland has plenty of Leopards for practice.

On August 10th, 2022, the Abrams Tank Training Academy was formally opened in Poznan, Poland.
The school trains tank crews from the Polish 18th Mechanized Division on the use of M1A2SEPv3 Abrams tanks.

You should be grateful that Ukraine is keeping Russia from your Zürich door.

I have a Moldovan relative who has not heard of "thousands of women into prostitution."
Anyway another reason for Russia to return home.