Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-25

[Josquius]

The only resentment I've heard of is about the Romanians ignoring the drone over their air space which then turned around and attacked Ukraine.

[Jacob]

I don't see a problem in asking Ukraine to share tech with NATO.  Is there really some objection from Ukraine about this?

I'd imagine they wouldn't want to share with Hungary, but otherwise I expect it'd be considered reasonable - maybe as part of some further mutually beneficial arrangements (e.g. build Ukrainian tech at scale in a way that brings more assets to both NATO and Ukraine).

That said, I think it's pretty natural for some Ukrainian rank and file folks and social media types who - being under massive pressure as they are - to feel and express some bitterness. I doubt it's anything more than that. I expect the official Ukrainian position is some version of "we are good and reliable partners and we're happy to help our allies, though ideally in a way that results in more help in our existential struggle."*

*note I'm not a Ukrainian official, so this is purely speculative on my paint.

[Zoupa]

Europe scrambles for Ukrainian interceptor drones after Russia's attack on Poland

European countries are scrambling for Ukrainian anti-drone systems following the unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by Russian kamikaze drones on Sept. 10, officials and manufacturers have told the Kyiv Independent.

"We were already previously discussing with the Ukrainian side investments in interceptor drones, but now we are even more interested in them," a European military diplomat told the Kyiv Independent, on condition of anonymity.

"We need to be prepared for war, so it is high time to be learning from Ukraine," they added.

Within hours of the attack, Ukrainian defense advisory firm Triada Trade Partners saw a surge in inquiries from Europe for both drone interceptors and electronic warfare (EW) systems, Bohdan Popov, head of the company's analytical department, told the Kyiv Independent.

He said requests had come from not only Poland, but also companies from Germany, Denmark, and the Baltic states had reached out to the firm.

"Russia has shown that they are not scared to attack NATO countries directly. So NATO countries are now seeking a solution," Popov said.

"The biggest demand is for the new interceptor drones that Ukraine produced around three months ago and were first shown by President Volodymyr Zelensky."

European countries are largely unprepared for drone warfare, so they are rushing to drone-experienced Ukraine for solutions.

Western nations lack cheap technology to down drones, having stocked up on boutique weapons meant for limited precision use against expensive targets like cruise and ballistic missiles.

During the Sept 10 attack that prompted the first NATO engagement of Moscow's military since the start of the full-scale invasion, a force of "Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS, NATO Multi Role Tanker Transport, and German Patriots," was deployed, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.

Sidewinder missiles costing around $400,000 a piece were used to down cheap Russian drones – reportedly Gerberas which are dummy drones made of plywood and foam that only cost around $10,000.

Ukraine's current flock of interceptor drones are super-charged quadcopters that reach speeds and heights far beyond long-familiar first-person-view (FPV) drones and, according to the manufacturers, cost in the region of $5,000 each.

Each is equipped with an explosive charge, which it detonates in the vicinity of a target in order to knock it out of the sky.

But alongside the surge in interest from foreign firms and militaries, there is also some suspicion among Ukrainian producers.

"We're getting inquiries from all over the world," a founder of Wild Hornets, a charity fund that also makes the Sting interceptor drone, told the Kyiv Independent.

"But we know that this is most likely veiled industrial espionage in order to get hold of a ready solution."

Ukraine can, in theory, export drones, but only with the permission of the Government Export Control Office, which is secretive about the standards by which it allows Ukrainians to send weapons abroad.

If international demand for drone interceptors increases as Russia's threat to NATO intensifies, Kyiv may allow Ukrainian defense producers to export more products, particularly to its neighbors, Popov said.

"Nobody knows today what will happen tomorrow, or in the next few weeks and months. Ukraine is the best solution to all these questions about how to fight Russia and defend against Russian airstrikes," Popov said.

[Zoupa]

The moskals are using detonators for their artillery rounds, captured from Nazis during WW2. 

[Tonitrus]

Nato intercepts Russian warplanes violating Estonian airspace

Estonia says three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets remained in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrp6p5mj3zo

12 minutes is enough time that we should have splashed them.

[crazy canuck]

Agreed.  The Russians seem to really want to test the limits of NATO's commitment.

[Tonitrus]

And I'll add, when I say "we", don't feel like ya'll need to ask the opinions of us Yanks.  Splash the zeroes. 

[Tamas]

12 minutes? WTF.

Also today:
Poland says Russian jets performed low pass over Petrobaltic platform in Baltic Sea, violating safety zone
We are now getting a new line from Poland with the country's Border Force reporting that two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic oil and gas exploration platform in the Baltic Sea by performing a low pass over the platform.

"The Polish Armed Forces and other authorities have been notified," the force said.



I am thinking, the closer the Russian economy (and thus Putin's regime and his life) comes to collapse, the more eager Putin may become to drag NATO (or more ideally, one NATO-member country) in the war. That would buy several years of survival for him.

[Zoupa]

NATO won't be dragged into it. Instead they'll put pressure on Ukraine to stop hitting refineries so putin can survive.

i.e. Can't you Ukrainians die more quietly?

[Zoupa]

Notice how they're not trying anything with Turkey. The Turks shot their Sukhoi down back in 2015 after it violated their airspace for SEVENTEEN SECONDS.

[Tamas]

Nato says Russian violation 'not type of behaviour one would expect from professional air force' as confirms details of response

Oh, STRONG WORDS! I can feel Russia tremble.

[PJL]

I'm increasingly of the opinion that WW3 is now the lesser of two evils...

[crazy canuck]

NATO won't be dragged into it. Instead they'll put pressure on Ukraine to stop hitting refineries so putin can survive.

i.e. Can't you Ukrainians die more quietly?

Where is this coming from?

[crazy canuck]

Nato says Russian violation 'not type of behaviour one would expect from professional air force' as confirms details of response

Oh, STRONG WORDS! I can feel Russia tremble.

Is that another "quote" you made up?

I ask because the actual quote in the BBC article linked above was

Nato spokesperson Allison Hart said the military alliance "responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft", calling it "yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato's ability to respond".

[Zoupa]

NATO won't be dragged into it. Instead they'll put pressure on Ukraine to stop hitting refineries so putin can survive.

i.e. Can't you Ukrainians die more quietly?

Where is this coming from?

Europe's response since 2014.