(1 Dec 2023) In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the war with Russia is entering a new stage, with winter expected to complicate the fighting and the Middle East capturing global attention. (Dec. 1)(AP Video/ Srdjan Nedeljkovic and Felipe
The counteroffensive did not achieve its objectives because only 20% of the materiel requested materialised. Gen. Ben Hodges predicted the recapture of Crimea this year, based on the assumption that Ukraine would get what she needed.
Now the planning will begin for next yearโs counteroffensive.
We must all hope fervently that Ukraine this time gets everything.
FB page; Stand With Ukraine, yesterday wrote :
๐๐ผ๐ ๐บ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐-๐ญ๐ฒ๐?
The russians largely don’t fear the F-16.
They have little understanding what they are in for.
They regularly dismiss the aircraft as small, frail, and no match for Russian combat aviation.
It’s a silly mistake they are for sure going to regret
The F-16 Viper is not only one of the world’s most versatile fighter aircraft, its also one of the deadliest. Particularly against Russian or Soviet built aircraft,and in destroying Soviet-era and Russian built air defenses.
While the F-16 is a superlative air-to-air, ground strike and EW platform, the real test is in pilot training. The better trained pilot wins and survives.
Early reports of Ukrainian pilot training in the US and Europe are extremely positive. As Ukrainian warriors immerse in flight, systems, weapons, tactics etc, they are already in most cases seasoned pilots with combat experience. If training goes well and there’s every reason to believe it is now, Russia has a serious problem once these extremely capable combat birds come online.
Expect to see the Vipers heavily focused suppressing and destroying enemy air defenses (SEAD and โWild Weaselโ) missions to start.
Once the airspace is less contested by ground-based threats, the real fun begins.
Russian fortifications, command, control, communications, vehicles and troops and any Russian assets fixed or moving about will be subject to absolute, precision-guided hell from the Viper.
Any Russian combat aircraft challenging the Viper, or undertaking offensive operations against Ukraine, will be outmatched in beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat, and if they merge with a Viper, will wish they had not.
Clearing away an enemy’s air defense systems and air force to gain air superiority are always the first things the US military accomplishes before even the first soldier or tank moves forward. Washington letting (urging?) Ukraine to go on the offensive without having the full means available was inexcusable and deplorable.
One thing that is within Ukraineโs capability is manpower. The orcs have an unlimited supply.
Ukraine needs to have 1.5 million combat troops, plus tankers, artillerymen, engineers, sappers, snipers, special forces etc.