The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
How were supplies in terms of food?

If honestly, sometimes good sometimes not. We don't stay in one place, that would get punished immediately (he's referring to enemy fires here - F.) You have to change your position whether you want to or not. While you're relocation, something can get skipped. For example if the gunner sergeant is heading out with supplies to the old position, we're not there. What to do?

If you got information on where supplies need to go, you'll have everything, fresh bread, canned meat, vegetables, everything. If you didn't get information, your stomach will be growling. It happens.

What about kitchens?

We didn't have them, I never saw any.

MREs?

It was different at different times. Overall logistics were problematic because we were artillery but we were attached to an infantry unit. How and how is supposed to supply us - total chaos. In theory the infantry, because how do you get around all 6 batteries of the btln and bring them everything? And that's why when it was good we had bread, pasta, potatoes, and meat. And MREs. But when it was bad you might have one can of meat for the entire day. And this happened more then once.

How did you work with the infantry?

It was ok. We have different jobs. For us it's simple; if the enemy is defending, we're firing on targets, and if they're attacking, we shell their advancing infantry.

And based on feedback, how did it go?

In general it worked. We made like hell for their infantry. Hitting vehicles - that's pointless, unrealistic when it's moving. Or some magical accident. But to convince their infantry that advancing is not a good idea - that was our main job.

She (Akatsiya) isn't meant for firing on moving vehicles. But against infantry in the open or even in trenches, especially if you can land in a trench.

Media has frequently reported that we have a shortage of artillery shells. That we even purchased them in Korea. Did you have situations where infantry is calling for fire support but you have no shells?

We did have problems, but not with shells rather with the charges. The long ones. We couldn't fire full distance, we had to get closer to the position to try and reach targets. Although based on instructions we weren't supposed to do that at all.

It was very bad with long range charges. But we had tons of close range ones. And we always had enough shells.

How was medical support?

There wasn't any. We had one medic for 6 batteries, we saw him several times. That's it. We had some medication but we didn't complain. If something happened, the commander made the decision.

When we went to war we purchased half a pharmacy, just in case.

Were your commanders professional military or also volunteers?

Commanders were all professional, the entire brigade were contractors, completely, there were no children (conscripts). And then they added us to the contractors. Our entire gun crew was volunteers.

For commanders they were generally educated and smart. In artillery I mean. I had a case where they sent us an officer that finished officer school but didn't know his job and almost hit friendlies. He was immediately removed from command and sent back for retraining. Inside our unit but away from the front line.

Artillery is all math, so how the commander calculates is how we fire. And the officers here are more important then in the infantry. If you get your math wrong, you'll send a greeting to your own infantry. But we generally had well trained officer, and even with such old junk we never dropped rounds on our own.

What are your plans, once you're healthy again?

Well, I've finished my contract. Right now after the comission it will be clearer. They're saying people are getting their service obligations extended, but in general I'm not planning on it. Not with this kind of organization.

Were all the volunteers about the same age?

Yes, practically all 45-50. I didn't see anyone younger, and in general war is no place for children. It was more unpleasant that we're old and the equipment is too. It should have been the other way around, they should have given us the most modern kit, we were' volunteers, motivated, nobody bought is with money or forced us here. We came because it was necessary. So that those under 30 wouldn't die for nothing. But they gave us old junk.

I got a rifle from 1968, older then me, and with a bent barrel. You can believe me or not but it was noticeable. I asked them, what do I do with the? They said, you'll keep it in the vehicle, you won't need it. This was true. But if something had happened, I wouldn't be much of a fighter...

Since we're talking about the young ones, what's your take on conscripts signing contracts to keep serving?

Sure, they can, but they shouldn't be here. I've seen them, they're children. Mine are older. THey're not ready for this, a different generation, different mindset, they look at internet videos, and then go to "mow down Ukrainians". But it's not like Konashenko's (Russian MoD spokeperson - F) report. Insted of clean stories, dirty work. It's not so bad with us, but for the infantry it's awful. We at least don't have to dig like that.

I didn't see young ones at all, our brigade was strange like that. I don't know how they formed it but we had no kids.

There's no point in fighters like that. It's good they're not sending them, they will just be useless casualties.

What do you see as the main problems?

The equipment is so old, you often want to give up. And it's not just us, the infantry tells us similar things. The impression is that they gathered all the old junk they could and brought it here, something you don't mind getting destroyed.

I don't know who brought it here or why, but if the only thing that works in your howitzer is the crew, there's no heating in the frost, the ventilation doesn't work and you're getting poisoned by gas from the powder... it can be that we spend a day firing a lot, and then 2-3 days throwing up from the gas. And you can't do anything to fix it, it can't be fixed in the field.

I can't say is my Akatsiya outdated or not. We can shoot, we can hit where we need to. But it's so old that nobody wants to fix it at all. Often if a part goes out of service, the vehicle is stripped for parts and just abandoned. Take what you can and leave it.

It's too bad we don't have our mechanics here. They could tell you some horror stories. They're really more mechanics then drivers. Starting our howitzer is a dance with tambourines. Often you get a push from another vehicle to go out on assingment. You often want to leave it running, but you can't. Once you're done firing, you have to hide in the treeline. Fire - then hide and conceal, so the "chainsaw" (slang for UAVs, due to engine noise - F) won't find you.

We had a terrible situation; we went out on position, finished firing, and then 2 vehicles out of 6 won't start. Quite the feeling... We have to get out of there before counter-battery fire lands, but they don't start, no matter what you do. And if it was only one, but it's two. Of course we had to try and tow them out. And we can't leave them, enemy fires will destroyed them.

In general we all have the same problem; where's all that equipment that they were showing us on TV? Why are we at war in this? I was born in 1976, my howtizer in 1972. We match each other of course.

Why are there no long range charges? We, in our old junk, that's barely puttering along, creep up almost to the front line, to reach where we need to. And you have to reach, because the ones sitting there are making life hell for our infantry. So we go. We fire.

And if you had a Msta, would you sign a second contract?

Well if I could only get a peek at one.... I would even go back on an Akatsiya, but one where everything works. A fresh one. As is, no I won't sign a second contract.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
My thoughts on the interview.

First off a few details appear. Based on the some of his statements, about the unit being formed, it's likely this is a new unit formed with vehicles pulled from storage. It's pretty clear that instead of running the vehicles in storage through a repair plant, they were pulled as is and simply placed into service. Secondly he talks about 6 batteries in the btln, but I think he meant brigade. It's likely a brigade of two artillery btlns, plus supporting units, artillery recon, security elements, etc.

Secondly, this is probably the case with much of equipment pulled from storage. Russian military storage is not keeping vehicles in their proper conditions so even category 1 storage really isn't. Pulling out a couple of tank companies for exercises is quite doable. Pulling out hundreds and thousands of vehicles for a major war far less so. Note this is quite wasteful. There are units getting downright antiques, D-1 howitzers from WWII. A 2S3 is relatively modern compared to that. It would have been much wiser to repair them properly, but it's not clear how many Russia can repair a year. Best case scenario high double digits, worst case scenario low double digits. In point of fact I haven't see any 2S3s go through a repair plant in this war.

So what about those mystical Mstas? Well Russia produces the 2S19M2, basically a modern artillery piece. Pre-war Russia could put out two btlns per year. Maybe this can be increased to 3-5. Maybe it can't be produced at all due to sanctions, this is currently unclear.

Lastly, you'll notice this is a best case scenario. The soldier here is a volunteer, he has no doubts that the war is necessary, went as a volunteer, and would go again if he could only get working equipment. This is not a disgruntled software engineer from Moscow fleeing to Georgia. Obviously this is the internet so everything is suspect, but topwar is generally a pro-Russian source that speaks highly of the war effort. I would consider this interview to be fairly reliable if only as a statement against interest.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update. Jan 12th-13th

The West.

Ukrainian trenches near Belarus in Rovno region.


Oskol Front.

Russian artillery fires towards Krasniy Liman. The town was the site of fighting twice now, first when Russian troops pushed Ukrainian airborne out of the town, then when Ukrainian troops pushed back Russian BARS and LNR forces back. Not once again Russia is advancing on the town.


Russian artillery fires on Ukrainian forces in the trees near Kremennaya.


Destroyed Ukrainian trucks near Kremennaya. A number of Ukrainian attacks were repulsed here recently.


Ukrainian T-64BV knocked out near Kremennaya.


Russian strikes landing in Kharkov, power outages and subway stoppages are reported.


Ukrainian T-64BVs mod'17 near Kremennaya.


LDNR Front.

Artemsol' is now under Russian control. Note, with hindsight, this is one of the stages of the fall of Soledar.


Russian Giatsint-B fires Mar'inka.


Ukrainian forces pulling back near Mar'inka pass by a destroyed KrAZ.


DNR 9th Rgt doing munition drops on Ukrainian infantry.


DNR 3rd Bde artillery fires.


DNR 1st Btln SpN doing quadcopter munition drops.


Signal'noye village south of Donetsk. About 100+ elderly with 13 children still live here, though there's no water and only one store left functioning. Attempts to run a waterline from Donetsk were in progress pre-war but are now cancelled.


Russia.


Low altitude Mi-28N pair in Belgorod region.


Misc.

A series of videos of Ukrainian FPV drone strikes. Locations and context unclear.


Speak of the devil, relatively rare Russian 2S19M2s operating in Ukraine, from West MD. Location unclear.


Russian quadcopter munition drops on Ukrainian infantry attempting to relocate.


Ukrainian technical, knocked out and abandoned. Location and context unclear.


Ukrainian T-72B3, previously captured from Russia, now knocked out and recaptured.


A Ukrainian UAV downed, from appearances a civilian UAV converted for munition drops.


Krab howitzer, immobilized, possibly knocked out.


Russian soldier from Tyva, likely 55th Motor-Rifles taking in Ukrainian POWs.


A Ukrainian convoy of improvised vehicles, location and context unclear.


Ukrainian forces operating a captured T-90S variant.


Russian Buk-M3 ops, Ukraine. Note the incomplete loadout of the more modern missiles in the launch containers, and the use of TELs with older Buk missiles to make up for this.


Russian infantry from Tyva, likely 55th Motor-Rifles.


Wagner forces Chekan armored truck, with a BTR turret on top.


Russian Pantsyr-S1, likely coastal troops, in Ukraine.


NATO/EU.

Ukraine has reportedly received 2 Bandvagn 202 transporter vehicles with 10-12 more expected. They're reportedly meant to serve as CASEVAC.

 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
How many family,friends,neighbors,partners, former work colleges does each causality have ...........................times 800.
Times days in the month etc.
However Putin spins this conflict, the hard reality of solders not coming home will permeate Russian society.
It will not be even across the country as some regions will be hit more than others, but in time it will have a domestic affect..
Putin may want to play the long game, but these casualties will be a concern.
The "tough guy" may not show it, but if he's smart and wanting to stay in power, its either win on the battle field or find a way out of this mess.

A sad 2023 for many.
Lets remember that 800 represent more than just 3 BTG's
Whatever side they are on.

Regards S
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Ukrainian estimates, I think.
Well that makes the entire thing less then useful. Ukraine claimed they shot down Kh-22s in the past. Claimed they shot down the one that hit the building in Dnepropetrovsk, and then backed out of that claim and stated they lied previously about being able to shoot them down, and the strike in question is all Russia's fault. I don't know what is true, but they clearly lied somewhere, and got so mixed up that they couldn't keep it straight. For all we know Russia is losing every casualty they say and more. But also it could be a wild overestimate, or just a wildly inaccurate estimate. Even the patterns in the numbers might be fictional rather then real.
 

Larry_L

Active Member
Another execution with a hammer by the Wagner group to another of his mercenaries
This has become confused. The video may have been faked. There are now reports that Dmitry Yakushchenko is alive and forgiven. In the long run, it matters little either way to what is happening on the ground.


https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineRussiaReport/comments/1116jaa
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
This has become confused. The video may have been faked. There are now reports that Dmitry Yakushchenko is alive and forgiven. In the long run, it matters little either way to what is happening on the ground.


https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineRussiaReport/comments/1116jaa
There is a possibility that Wagner is intentionally releasing a fake execution to cast doubt on other real executions. To be frank, some of Prigozhin's actions lately have looked like internet trolling including releasing a very quality video that purported to be a Wagner recruiting advertisement aimed at US veterans, and then claiming he had 10 million applicants from the US.
 

jref

Member
There is a possibility that Wagner is intentionally releasing a fake execution to cast doubt on other real executions. To be frank, some of Prigozhin's actions lately have looked like internet trolling including releasing a very quality video that purported to be a Wagner recruiting advertisement aimed at US veterans, and then claiming he had 10 million applicants from the US.
He's definitely trolling. A lot.

Here seen Prigozhin on training grounds with a new "weapon":
https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineRussiaReport/comments/110x39t
 

Larry_L

Active Member
I ran across a blog post by Rybar detailing his view of the push into Vuhledar. His analysis ends on the 10th of February.

His take on the failure. Quote:
"Fear of the chain of command, unwillingness to work on mistakes, failure to make use of the experience of a year of the SMO, and the usual bureaucracy are the main causes of what happened. "

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update. Jan 14th-15th

Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

Russian loitering munition strike on a Ukrainian M777 in Kherson region.


Russian aircraft over Kherson.


Battle damage in Kherson after Russian shelling.


Russian T-90Ms in Kherson and Zaporozhye.


Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk.

Battle damage after a Ukrainian strike in Pologi, Zaporozhye.


The West.

Power outages are being reported in Vinnitsa after recent Russian strikes.


The North.

Russian strikes hit Kiev. Reportedly there were explosions before the warning came, suggesting the use of something fast.


Battle damage after a Russian strike to a powerplant in Kiev.


A Kh-101 downed or fallen near Kiev.


The Oskol Front.

Battle damage after a Russian strike in Kharkov and Chuguev.


Russian forces operating a captured T-64BV near Kremennaya.


LDNR Front.

Wagner forces have taken rail station Salt.


Ukrainian CASEVAC, near railroad station Salt, by Soledar.


Footage from Soledar, we see a destroyed BMP, and a town in ruins.


Al-Jazeera footage from Ukrainian positions near Soledar.


Footage of Wagner fighters operating inside Artemovsk/Bakhmut, near the street Patrice Lumumba.


Battle damage after a Russian strike in Konstantinovka. If Artemovsk/Bakhmut falls, this town may end up on the front lines.


More footage of the ruins of Mar'inka.


DNR 6th Territorial Defense Btln advancing on Ukrainian positions. It might be footage of the same assault as above.


Destroyed Ukrainian T-72M1 near Stavki, Donetsk region.


Russian tanks moving through Popasnaya, towards the front. The town stands destroyed but a civilian on bicycle can be seen.


Russian contract soldiers that enlisted recently undergoing training in the DNR.


Civilians out of Soledar report several things, including many Polish fighters, some British, and some "dark-skinned". They state they avoided contact with Ukrainian troops, and mostly hid in basements.


Shelling of Donetsk continues.


Russia.

Shebekino, Belgorod region, reportedly got shelled again including the local market.


Repairs on the Crimean bridge are nearing completion.


Misc.

Ukrainian ZU-23-2 downing a Lancet-3M.


Ukrainian M777 getting hit by a loitering munition, location and context unclear.


Wagner artillery fires, likely Artemovsk/Bakhmut, but not clear. Note we've seen them using D-20s and D-1s before. Now we have 2S5s, BM-27s, Tornado-G, and Grads. They're likely being handed whatever is available out of the repair yards and factories.


Russian T-90M knocked out, allegedly by an AT-4. Location and context unclear. Note the Nakidka thermal shroud.


Ukrainian forces firing an improvised RPG projectile, possibly HE-FRAG. This is similar to the use of 82mm mortar shells from an RPG.


Battle damage of a Russian Tigr-M that got hit in the glass.


A Russian repair unit operating in the war zone.


Russian T-80BV and BMP-2M in Ukraine.


Pantera T6 armored cars operated by the 47th Assault Bde, Ukraine. They reportedly received 12 of them through a private donation.


The World.

A downed Iranian drone apparently had quite a few US components inside of it.


S-300 missile fragments in Moldavia.


Poroshenko has purchased 91 Leyland T244 trucks for the Ukrainian military. 209 more are expected.

 

BAMCIS

New Member
If you're citing a link, it's forum policy that you provide at least some commentary on the article you're pointing to.
Being new to the forum, I do not control the rules of the forum. I will try to take it into account for future comments.
I apologize for it.
 
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