Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[Tonitrus]

And the Americans are sending over Bradleys with the Brits intimating they'll send tanks and therefore break that silly taboo. Nice.

Aren't we supposed to be helping? 

[jimmy olsen]

https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-france-to-send-light-tanks/a-64281700

France to send light tanks to Ukraine.

OK, so it sounds like what France is sending aren't really tanks, but more like APCs.

Apparently US (Bradley) and Germany (Marder) are doing the same thing.

Every bit helps...

https://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/1611052287954149377

France is indeed sending (light) armoured fighting vehicles, AMX-10 RCs (roues-canon) with a 105 mm gun. That's no MBT indeed and suited to recon.
However, APCs are also sent: the Bastion (Arquus) APCs made by ACMAT, a subsidiary of Renault Trucks.

I am structurally radical and doctrinally neutral

[DGuller]

Doctrine purist and structure radical types must be some weird people. 

[Tonitrus]

As if there were a D&D alignment of "Lawful Chaotic".

[celedhring]

Doctrine purist and structure radical types must be some weird people. 

Yeah, swedes.

[Admiral Yi]

All boxes work except doctrinal radical + structural neutral and radical.

[The Brain]

People who claim that Strv103 isn't a tank think that the Mark I tank isn't a tank. Which is silly.

[Barrister]

Saw a suggestion that the "Christmas truce" was a ruse, that Russians would blow up some Orthodox churches (not sure with or without worshipers) in Donetsk, claim it was Ukraine, as justification for a broader mobilization.

[Tamas]

Apparently Putin signed a decree a couple of days ago to allow military hospitals to overflow into civilian ones. Either  their military hospitals already can't take the load, or he is indeed planning a big offensive Enemy at the Gates opening scene style.

[Sheilbh]

Saw a suggestion that the "Christmas truce" was a ruse, that Russians would blow up some Orthodox churches (not sure with or without worshipers) in Donetsk, claim it was Ukraine, as justification for a broader mobilization.

You astound me

[viper37]

Saw a suggestion that the "Christmas truce" was a ruse, that Russians would blow up some Orthodox churches (not sure with or without worshipers) in Donetsk, claim it was Ukraine, as justification for a broader mobilization.

A ruse, yes, but blowing up Orthodox churches, I'm dubious.  Even for Putin, it seems way too conspiracy-ish.

More likely is Russia will use this time to consilidate their defense, reorganize their lines and make another push with everything they still have.

[Legbiter]

More likely is Russia will use this time to consilidate their defense, reorganize their lines and make another push with everything they still have.

Only works if both sides agree to honor the ceasefire. Probably the only thing that's stopping the Ukrainians from mounting successful local counterattacks is Russian artillery holding them back. Doubt they'll go on a 3-day holiday and not fire a shell. And indeed the Ukrainians are reporting business as usual all along the front.

[Barrister]

Saw a suggestion that the "Christmas truce" was a ruse, that Russians would blow up some Orthodox churches (not sure with or without worshipers) in Donetsk, claim it was Ukraine, as justification for a broader mobilization.

A ruse, yes, but blowing up Orthodox churches, I'm dubious.  Even for Putin, it seems way too conspiracy-ish.

More likely is Russia will use this time to consilidate their defense, reorganize their lines and make another push with everything they still have.

Have you not heard the widely-shared view that the FSB and Putin (who was Prime Minister at the time) orchestrated the 1999 apartment bombings that were attributed to Chechen separatists, which thus setoff the second Chechen war?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_apartment_bombings#Russian_government_involvement_theory

[DGuller]

The conspiracy theory regarding the 1999 apartment building bombings was popular some time ago, but I think it died off along with most of its high profile proponents.

[Grey Fox]

That's a widely known fact.