Hi all! I am gratutiously swiping a pub image of Mr. Warmth himself, Don Rickles, in front of a movie bridge to attach a visual invoking river crossings. It’s from Kelly’s Heroes. We’ll see if FB gets upset. This post might possibly be interesting to former OSCE buddies who patrolled out of Mariupol before the big war. But for the more general reader, also, my intent here is to flag a development that I’m guessing points the way we are will see the fighting go in coming months.
New reader. Very much like your writing which I found via the Kyiv Post.
I appreciate the speculation/suggestion that the Ukrainians wisely allowed the construction to proceed to nearly the finished point before destroying the bridge as a way to allow the Russians to commit and waste resources.
That speaks to a degree of discipline in targeting that I think many in the west have not yet fully come to appreciate.
When whatever drone or recon unit first identified that target, the normal military mindset is to hit it as soon as possible.
Saving targets until they will represent an even greater loss for the enemy might seem logical behind a keyboard, but represent deep strategic thinking that is not nearly as commonplace - or as easy - as many casual observers and arm-chair generals might assume.
Excellent reporting. Thank you. Will follow your Substack more closely from now on.
The Russian leadership do not care about their losses. That is key here. And the Russian people do not care about not being cared after. They just go with it, just like they did in all the previous wars they fought in.
"Medium-term at least, it looks to me like Ukraine’s war strategy is to bet that can’t go on forever."
Well, Ukraine can't produce the resources neither they are supported with those resources by the West to follow another strategy at the moment. Furthermore Budanov already stated that there is only peace wit Russia in case Putin is gone.
If that is your only chance and a rollover is not an option, that is the option you're going with.
By waiting later to strike, another benefit is all the wreckage that would have to be removed, equals more resources needed before they can start replacement. Also means RZ now has to build or rebuild all of the parts and components. The self-licking ice cream cone of replacement might also inspire the next contractor to maybe have their work taken down as well, since it just means more money.
Intresting news because when I heard about the construction I immediately thought about the problems with railways - critical infrastructure like bridges. Mr Rickles did not come to mind because he was making one while the Wehrmacht were trying to knock it down. The RAF's targeted campiagn in 1944-45 did. VFH
New reader. Very much like your writing which I found via the Kyiv Post.
I appreciate the speculation/suggestion that the Ukrainians wisely allowed the construction to proceed to nearly the finished point before destroying the bridge as a way to allow the Russians to commit and waste resources.
That speaks to a degree of discipline in targeting that I think many in the west have not yet fully come to appreciate.
When whatever drone or recon unit first identified that target, the normal military mindset is to hit it as soon as possible.
Saving targets until they will represent an even greater loss for the enemy might seem logical behind a keyboard, but represent deep strategic thinking that is not nearly as commonplace - or as easy - as many casual observers and arm-chair generals might assume.
Excellent reporting. Thank you. Will follow your Substack more closely from now on.
Delightful article metaphors and all
Glad to be reading your reports again.
Great.
I concur with below: delightful
A wonderful story about our brave and canny Ukrainians
and a story very well written
Thx
The Russian leadership do not care about their losses. That is key here. And the Russian people do not care about not being cared after. They just go with it, just like they did in all the previous wars they fought in.
"Medium-term at least, it looks to me like Ukraine’s war strategy is to bet that can’t go on forever."
Well, Ukraine can't produce the resources neither they are supported with those resources by the West to follow another strategy at the moment. Furthermore Budanov already stated that there is only peace wit Russia in case Putin is gone.
If that is your only chance and a rollover is not an option, that is the option you're going with.
Well rested, are we.
Welcome back.
In these grim times, many thanks for giving me a reason to grin.
By waiting later to strike, another benefit is all the wreckage that would have to be removed, equals more resources needed before they can start replacement. Also means RZ now has to build or rebuild all of the parts and components. The self-licking ice cream cone of replacement might also inspire the next contractor to maybe have their work taken down as well, since it just means more money.
Intresting news because when I heard about the construction I immediately thought about the problems with railways - critical infrastructure like bridges. Mr Rickles did not come to mind because he was making one while the Wehrmacht were trying to knock it down. The RAF's targeted campiagn in 1944-45 did. VFH
Excellent. Thank you.