Ukraine - An Army Without Officers Has No Chance Of Winning
Most of the Western public does not know about military issues.
While people may identify someone who wears a uniform as a soldier they will have difficulties to understand the unit insignia, rank badges or tactical notations all regular soldiers are wearing. The lack of knowledge of military details makes it difficult to understand media reports of frontline issues.
An example for this can be seen in the basic disposition of a frontline battalion.
A battalion is a 400 to 1,000 men unit specialized around some vehicle or form of fighting.
Pure infantry battalions will walk and fight on foot or travel longer marches on trucks. Mechanized infantry has armored fighting vehicles that transport troops but also have some minor guns to cover the loading or unloading of their soldiers. Tank battalions have armored hulks with larger guns designed to punch through hardened enemy lines. Artillery battalions have large caliber howitzers or missiles to deliver fire from a distance.
A brigade, consisting of several battalions of different types, may mix those as appropriate for the current fight.
A battalion itself will consist of four to six companies. Each company will have three to four platoons.
Platoons, generally some 30 men strong, are led by Lieutenants. The company, consisting of several platoons is commanded by a Captain. The leader of the first platoon of a company is often a seasoned Lieutenant who is doubling as the deputy company commander.
The next higher organization, the battalion is led by a Lieutenant Colonel with the help of a battalion staff. That staff, split into four (or more) sections known as S1 to S4, is taking care of the battalions own personnel, the enemy situation, the rearward (reserve) battalion command post and the logistics.
These sections are led by a seasoned Lieutenant (S1), a Captain (S2), a Major (S3) who is also the deputy battalion commander, and another Captain (S4) for logistics. There may be additional officer positions like the battalion doctor, the technical officer, or a military intelligence section leader.
All together a battalion has some 12+ Lieutenants as platoon leaders, 4 Captains as company leaders, a battalion staff consisting of 1 or two additional seasoned Lieutenants, one or two additional Captains, one or two additional Majors and, at the top, a Lieutenant Colonel.
That's a total of about 10+ junior officers and some 10+ more seasoned or higher ranking officers.
Now lets look at a fleeting line in a recent New York Times report:
‘They Come in Waves’: Ukraine Goes on Defense Against a Relentless Foe (archived) - New York Times, Feb 4 2024
At the hot spots of the eastern front line, Ukrainian troops are outmanned, outgunned and digging in.
“They come in waves,” said Lt. Oleksandr Shyrshyn, 29, the deputy battalion commander in the 47th Mechanized Brigade. “And they do not stop.”
A normal reader, not well versed in military organization, will not stumble over that sentence as I did.
A Lieutenant at age 28 is likely a seasoned one. But in the role of a 'deputy battalion commander'?
What happened to the S3, the Major and nominal deputy battalion commander? What happened to the six Captains the battalion is supposed to have? All of them should be better trained and qualified to take on the role of a deputy battalion commander than a mere Lieutenant.
This small detail, a Lieutenant as deputy battalion commander, tells me more about the battalion's state that any flowery description of casualties.
Such a battalion is done with. Its officer corps is mostly dead or wounded. Its companies and platoons or likely to be run by mere sergeants. While such a unit may still hold onto some trenches it is certainly no longer able to fulfill any operational task. It will not be able to counterattack. It will not even be able to organize an orderly retreat.
The 47th Mechanized Brigade is currently fighting in the northern part of Avdeevka which the Russian forces are in the process of storming. During the last two weeks the Ukrainian losses of dead and severely wounded as counted in the Russian Defense Ministry Daily Reports have exceeded 800 per day. That is far higher than the 500 to 600 per day of previous months.
The state of Lt. Shyrshyn's battalion is consistent with that.
During my time as a soldier I have read quite a number of reports about small units who were dying in Stalingrad, Kursk or in some minor battle action somewhere else. Once their officer corps is done with the headless chickens that make up the majority of soldiers in such a battalion are likely to die soon thereafter.
The Ukrainian army is lacking soldiers and munitions. It is lacking the officers to train and lead them. The Ukrainian state does not have the money to conscript and equip more soldiers. It does not have the officer corp needed to train new soldiers. It does not have the factories needed to produce weapons and munitions.
It is high time for Ukraine to give up this unequal fight and to save the lives of those soldiers who are still living.
It is high time for Zelenski (and Zaluzny and others) to leave.
Posted by b on February 6, 2024 at 14:29 UTC | Permalink
next page »It has been this way (lack of Ukrainian officers) since the beginning. No one gives a shit.
Two things matter. First is how it is covered in American media. There are zero reportwrs and zero media outlets who could or would provide the analysis that b just presented. Second important thing is stealing everything that is not bolted down and trying to steal much of that which is bolted down. Seasoned officers are delegated to the logistics of transporting and selling the stolen armaments.
Or perhaps I have that backwards and stealing is number one.
Posted by: oldhippie | Feb 6 2024 14:39 utc | 2
“The 47th Mechanized Brigade is currently fighting in the northern part of Avdeevka which the Russian forces are in the process of storming”
I thought b, and all the Putinphils had declared Russia had won this battle back in November. It does not take many officers or men to hold well prepared trenches. I remember b telling us this repeatedly during prior battles.
Just keep repeating we are winning, we are winning. That is exactly what the Ukrainians have been doing.
b and everyone else just needs to go back to reading tea leaves, they give just as accurate predictions.
---
b here
The author of the comment obviously conflates Andriivka, a small town near Bakhmut taken by Russian forces in October/November,
with Avdiivka, a city near Donetsk that has been a Ukrainian fortress since 2014. The later is the target of the current operation.
Posted by: zargo | Feb 6 2024 14:45 utc | 3
b and everyone else just needs to go back to reading tea leaves, they give just as accurate predictions.
Posted by: zargo | Feb 6 2024 14:45 utc | 3
No tea leaves for you. You should focus on basic English comprehension. It was clearly explained that trenches and fortifications can be held for a while. Ukraine has lost the war. The question is how many more human lives she's willing to sacrifice to the altar of _elenskyy's off shore accounts and Raytheon shareholders.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 6 2024 14:53 utc | 5
Excellent, insightful analysis b, thank you.
Let me remind everyone to make a contribution to MoA, though I don’t expect the trolls to be coughing up, unappreciative as they are at being given a dose of material reality.
Posted by: Lev Davidovich | Feb 6 2024 14:53 utc | 6
No tea leaves for you. You should focus on basic English comprehension. It was clearly explained that trenches and fortifications can be held for a while. Ukraine has lost the war. The question is how many more human lives she's willing to sacrifice to the altar of _elenskyy's off shore accounts and Raytheon shareholders.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 6 2024 14:53 utc | 5
Short answer: All of them. Every Ukrainian and as many Russians possible for a few shekels more.
Posted by: Zippy the Pinhead | Feb 6 2024 14:58 utc | 7
b, Thant you.
The lack of non commissioned officer would be more harmful.
Sergeants make up for a lot of the learning curve of a Lt platoon leader who dies frequently.
Posted by: paddy | Feb 6 2024 15:01 utc | 8
> It is high time for Zelenski (and Zaluzny and others) to leave.
Sure. A well reasoned argument.
But what would Victoria Nuland say?
Posted by: too scents | Feb 6 2024 15:08 utc | 9
Posted by: zargo | Feb 6 2024 14:45 utc | 3
b, spectacular illustration of how the army is designed, structured; has nothing to do with predicting war outcomes. Any rational person who understand warfare knew ukraine stood no chance against motherland Russia even before the war started in Feb 2022.
Posted by: AI | Feb 6 2024 15:08 utc | 10
Polish General Waldemar Skrzypczak (former Deputy Minister of Defense) proposed that EU countries jointly deport Ukrainians of military age.He noted that the governments of EU countries should initiate the deportation of Ukrainian citizens so that they join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and “finally eliminate the shortage of military personnel.”
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 6 2024 15:09 utc | 11
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 6 2024 14:53 utc | 5
The Japanese and even German soldiers held on in forests and jungles for quite a many years even after the war was officially over. The Japanese, for example, held Rangoon and large portions of southern Burma to the very end. They held Singapore, Malaya, and most of the Dutch East Indies to the very end. They held Hong Kong to the end and a lot of their islands in the Pacific.
Just holding something for the sake of holding has little to no informatory value for how a war is going.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 6 2024 15:13 utc | 12
I thought b, and all the Putinphils
Best wipe that spittle off your face, it's unbecoming.
I love how honest analysis by intellectuals now makes you a traitor or somehow suspect. Look in the mirror McCarthyite...youre a fascist. While you can continue to insist against all evidence that Up is Down, none of us give a shit because you don't have any actual arguments. Your complaint is Russia isnt kicking Ukraines and NATOs collective asses fast enough. Its ludicrous.
Wake me up when you have something worth responding to. Desperate assertions and smug whining isn't an argument.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Feb 6 2024 15:23 utc | 13
Ukraine - An Army Without Officers Has No Chance Of Winning
And a country without young women has no chance of surviving:
https://twitter.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1754534648972017930
But make no mistake - "our" leaders here in the West would be perfectly happy to send toddlers off into a minefield if they thought it would extend their dominion.
Posted by: Observer | Feb 6 2024 15:34 utc | 14
The lack of non commissioned officer would be more harmful.
Sergeants make up for a lot of the learning curve of a Lt platoon leader who dies frequently.
Posted by: paddy | Feb 6 2024 15:01 utc | 8
On the tactical level, absolutely. Platoon and company sergeants are critical. I think the battalion level is where officers who have a good idea of what they're doing become key, and if you've got crap for colonels you're in a world of hurt at the brigade level.
Posted by: Honzo | Feb 6 2024 15:36 utc | 15
“They come in waves,” said Lt. Oleksandr Shyrshyn, 29, the deputy battalion commander in the 47th Mechanized Brigade. “And they do not stop.”
A normal reader, not well versed in military organization, will not stumble over that sentence as I did.A Lieutenant at age 28 is likely a seasoned one. But in the role of a 'deputy battalion commander'?
Good eye there, b, but given how useless the average Western reporter is, they may well have gotten Oleksandr's age, rank, brigade and even nationality completely wrong.
Gender, too.
Posted by: Observer | Feb 6 2024 15:43 utc | 16
The delay in firing Zaluzhnyi has been interesting. If Ze is smart, he will wait until AFTER the fall of Avdiivka, before firing Za. That way, it is seen as a response and also that way it happens on Za's watch, not his successor. This is purely a political point.
Also, I do think holding Avdiivka as long as possible is smart, not dumb, from the U point of view. It's very heavily fortified and the positions behind not as good. Also, the Russians have proved very poor at overcoming fortified defenses (granted this is very hard, but still).
Posted by: Anonymous | Feb 6 2024 15:44 utc | 17
"It is high time for Zelenski (and Zaluzny and others) to leave."
That's like saying, in mid 1943, "It is high time for Mussolini (and Antonescu and others) to leave."
Elensky and Zaluzhny are not independent actors. They have no say over leaving. They are as much fully owned NATO property as Mussolini or Antonescu were Hitler's, and if they try to be contrary, they'll end up exactly where Horthy did in 1944 when he belatedly attempted to assert Hungarian independence from Germany.
Apart from which sticking to their positions is extremely financially lucrative, of course.
Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Feb 6 2024 15:45 utc | 18
Anonymous | Feb 6 2024 15:44 utc | 17
WRT "... the Russians have proved very poor at overcoming fortified defenses"
More like slow and effective, me thinks, and certainly exceedingly effective when compared to the UAF.
Posted by: Lantern Dude | Feb 6 2024 15:53 utc | 19
It is high time for Zelenski (and Zaluzny and others) to leave.
A few months ago I predicted Zelenski would not be able to as Presudent mark the 10 year anniversary of the Maidan coup. I could still be right about that.
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 6 2024 15:53 utc | 20
The delay in firing Zaluzhnyi has been interesting. If Ze is smart, he will wait until AFTER the fall of Avdiivka, before firing Za. That way, it is seen as a response and also that way it happens on Za's watch, not his successor. This is purely a political point.
Also, I do think holding Avdiivka as long as possible is smart, not dumb, from the U point of view. It's very heavily fortified and the positions behind not as good. Also, the Russians have proved very poor at overcoming fortified defenses (granted this is very hard, but still).
Posted by: Anonymous | Feb 6 2024 15:44 utc | 17
"If Ze is smart" There's your problem right there. He's not, and it doesn't matter, because he's a puppet. As for what the smart move is, it isn't to fire Zaluzhny, who probably can't be fired anyway because he's a nazi and the other nazis with guns won't stand for it. The smart move is surrender, but it remains to be seen if Zaluzhny is that smart. There are rumors that he has secret negotiations with the Russians, but whether that's true or it's mere propaganda to justify removing him is not clear yet.
"Holding on as long as possible" is not smart. It's evil, sacrificing men to no purpose, as is the case with the entire western project in Ukraine.
Posted by: Honzo | Feb 6 2024 15:56 utc | 21
Honzo@21
Are you sure General Zaluzhny is a Nazi?
My understanding is the Russian officers respect him. Seems doubtful they would respect a Nazi.
Posted by: Morongobill | Feb 6 2024 16:03 utc | 22
Zaluzhny is supposedly being shipped off to act as the Ukrainian ambassador to UK. Dima speculated that the resignment was scheduled in a way that losing Avdeevka could be pinned on Zaluzhny.
If you think of it is obvious, at it has only potential upside in a way that can remove heat off Zelensky re. front events.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 6 2024 16:12 utc | 23
@Morongobill | Feb 6 2024 16:03 utc | 22
Zaluzhny has Bandera on the wall behind him
https://twitter.com/ChrisLashHist/status/1609895261836378118
He is a Nazi allright. There is a more recent image showing him with Bandera + Right Sektor flag also.
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 6 2024 16:14 utc | 24
Morongobill@22
Respect for an opponent's technical skill and general competence does not imply sympathy for the subjects ideology. This is not to say anything about what the Russians believe about this man. For that I am only aware of internet noise.
Posted by: the pessimist | Feb 6 2024 16:15 utc | 25
@21 "Russians have proved very poor at overcoming fortified defenses (granted this is very hard, but still)."
It took the US 9 months to run a few goat herders out of Mosul Iraq.
Israel has been fought to a stand still in Gaza. They cant even hardly touch Hezbollah in their trenches.
You say the Russians are preforming poorly?
Posted by: golddigger | Feb 6 2024 16:17 utc | 27
The Ukrainian army should disband and switch to guerrilla warfare. Then there would be no need for ranks, combat uniforms, and an array of expensive weapons.
Posted by: CIROC | Feb 6 2024 16:35 utc | 28
Thank you, b; that is very helpful. I have known my father's rank during most of WW2 was that of major, and he served in an artillery unit. Much later, after years in civilian life, he again served in the UN forces monitoring the India-Pakistan cease fire line for nearly two years, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He hardly talked about either experience, but I'm aware that he and his men respected Rommel. They called him the 'Desert Fox'.
Posted by: juliania | Feb 6 2024 16:38 utc | 29
thanks b... that is a type of insight i am incapable of... i wish this madness would end.. it seems the madness is centered in usa/uk, but it helps to have a few dumb asses following orders -zelensky for one..
@ oldhippie.. thanks for your post..
Posted by: james | Feb 6 2024 16:41 utc | 30
My understanding is the Russian officers respect him. Seems doubtful they would respect a Nazi.Posted by: Morongobill | Feb 6 2024 16:03 utc | 22
respect does not mean that they admire him. i can respect someone who understands what he is doing.
i may not like it, but he has earned the respect in that regard.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Feb 6 2024 16:42 utc | 31
I'd love to believe, I truly would, I've read the analysis and it makes sense, but we've been hearing reports of imminent Ukrainian demise for over a year now and it doesn't happen as predicted.
So what is really going on? Are we reading too much into a single NYT article? I do not know.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Feb 6 2024 16:43 utc | 32
b and everyone else just needs to go back to reading tea leaves, they give just as accurate predictions.
Posted by: zargo | Feb 6 2024 14:45 utc | 3
It is like having a winning pawn ending in a chess game, where your opponent refuses to resign, and you have to go on for 20 more moves to promote a pawn to a queen and checkmate them. That's real life, where your enemy gets a say in how thing end.
Posted by: Bemildred | Feb 6 2024 16:49 utc | 33
@ Feral Finster | Feb 6 2024 16:43 utc | 32
don't believe anything you read.. some couples stay together when the relationship has been over for a very long time.. it is hard to predict when something ''ends''... cheers..
Posted by: james | Feb 6 2024 16:49 utc | 34
A valid point B.
But we really don't know if the Ukrainian Army ever had enough trained officers to fill the HQ of at any level of the organization with the appropriate rank.
There are many quotes from Ukraine soldiers about "commanders" and "leaders" without ever stating their rank. Something any fully trained grunt wouldn't do.
The 47th is/was a NATO formed and trained battalion that has gotten it's butt kicked in several times, no matter where they have been deployed.
Posted by: BroncoBilly | Feb 6 2024 16:53 utc | 35
Thank you for helping me understand the way the army is made up as I never knew. Your explanation also helps me understand the extremely dire position Ukrainian soldiers are in. It also helps explain comments I heard years ago about the state of the British army and the death of their officers in WW1.
God when will the US stop fighting to the last Ukrainian?
Posted by: Bill R | Feb 6 2024 16:55 utc | 36
Thanks for the summary of chain of command numbers and dispositions for a battalion, b. For me, the big question arising from Ukraine's battlefield shortcomings has always been "How the heck did ZATO & Ms NewLand manage to find and promote the most incompetent and obedient people in Ukraine to positions of unassailable power?"
In 2014 ABC Oz ran a series of TV audience participation debates on major topics called Big Ideas. In the episode broadcast on August 14 ex-PM Malcolm Fraser was in 1 of the two hot seats and the topic was American Exceptionalism.
Someone in the audience raised the subject of Ukraine and Frazer said that Vikki Nuland spent $5 Billion on the coup because "US wanted Ukraine in NATO which Putin won't tolerate."
My point is that back in 2014 ZATO must have known that Ukraine's armed forces were no match for Russia's. And it's now bleeding obvious that ZATO never gave a tinker's cuss about Ukraine or its people.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 6 2024 17:00 utc | 37
Good layout and synopsis of the military echelon. Every war has its little deviations, terrain, etc. and when shit happens in a fire fight that lasts for a long time or a constant barrage, , sometimes those higher chains of commands are only good for getting some relief as in airstrikes or bringing in a couple gun ships - dust offs and medivacs are a given .
I'd say you need more sergeants and corporals that have been in country- more than too many officers. As # 8 { paddy } stated. And cocky 2nd Lieut. can put your whole platoon in danger and I saw this up front and personal. He didn't last long because we advised our Lt Col. to send him to another outfit and we were abliged.We had a good , honest Colonel.
I'm in the last chapter of life and I've sat in the grandstands watching the Ukies and Russians go at it - thinking back of my war, that looks like the same - Scam. I retired in Ukraine - now retired in Russia - lol Destiny is a strange bedfellow.
Posted by: GMC | Feb 6 2024 17:03 utc | 38
Oops!
Re my #37. The Big Ideas episode was August 22, 2014, not August 14.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 6 2024 17:08 utc | 39
https://t.me/belarusian_silovik/29626
The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, told the European Parliament that he was shocked by calls for peace in Ukraine and the prospect that Crimea and Lugansk would remain part of Russian territory."I am stunned to hear statements from the far left that we must stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. What do you want? For Ukrainians to defend themselves with water pistols or loud speeches?" - he said.
https://t.me/ZandVchannel/99098
🇵🇱🇪🇺🏴☠️🇺🇦 Polish General Waldemar Skrzypczak (former Deputy Minister of Defense) proposed that EU countries jointly deport Ukrainians of military age.He noted that the governments of EU countries should initiate the deportation of Ukrainian citizens so that they join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and “finally eliminate the shortage of military personnel.”
Posted by: anon2020 | Feb 6 2024 17:08 utc | 40
Speaking of a shortage of officers, has anyone seen proof of life on Austen yet?
Posted by: Honzo | Feb 6 2024 17:09 utc | 41
Excellent point b, thank you. (Small correction: the English expression is "done for" not "done with".) Another important issue that Andrei Martyanov is constantly emphasizing: the original Ukrainian army (of which little or nothing is left) was Soviet trained. What we have now is a mishmash of quasi-trained conscripts each taught different styles and ideas according to which HATO branch office trained them. So there are problems with even the basics. And since HATO has no clue about modern warfare anyway, the inevitable outcome is disaster. It's impossible not to feel desperately sorry for the Ukrainian squaddies, or at least the non-nazi ones: shanghaied, untrained, unequipped, and liable to be shot in the back by nazis if they try to surrender. What a shitshow.
Posted by: pasha | Feb 6 2024 17:18 utc | 42
b. thanks for the subject.
Ukrainian army is falling apart at the seams, that is obvious, but with or without experienced officers, it cannot sustain a current tactical outrun by the RF. Especially against the maneuver warfare, as it is dictated by the Russia.
That is because of different battle order and a command concepts. Russia tried to "modernize" to a NATO structure in early 2000s, but it abandoned the idea.
Indeed, for the Ukrainian army, there is a trouble to switch from the Soviet/Russian order of the battle, military education in tactics, weaponry handling, to the NATO system that is more compartmentalized, and it bears no real tradition leaning on the past series of conflicts and wars. If so, very little. Russia destroyed already 3 Ukrainian/NATO armies they fielded.
NATO commanding structure has been transformed from the Cold War, to fighting the "terrorist" groups worldwide, reducing commanding staff further. And now they have to learn and restructure again to adopt to a new style. On the fly.
Very hard task to do.
It is the same as for the pilots. Those Ukrainians who were educated on Russian planes, will be having trouble flying the Western frames. It is a different layout of screens and dials, also firing and check systems.
It is the same as AK-47 vs. M-16. Dismantling M-16 for the AK-47 trained soldiers is not an easy switch. Muscle memory is a bitch.
And NATO forced Ukraine to adopt, instead of adopting it to a reality. NATO cannot renew the structure of the Ukrainian army to its liking, and not admitting that, but insisting on the current trend, causes it to lose the conflict even faster, apparently.
Zaluzhny is not a Soviet trained soldier. Syrsky is.
Posted by: whirlX | Feb 6 2024 17:23 utc | 43
My point is that back in 2014 ZATO must have known that Ukraine's armed forces were no match for Russia's. And it's now bleeding obvious that ZATO never gave a tinker's cuss about Ukraine or its people.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 6 2024 17:00 utc | 37
They spent billions of dollars building up the Ukrainian forces and making them interoperable with NATO forces. They never thought that Ukraine, even then, could defeat Russia, what they hoped for originally was to suck Russia into a war so they could defeat Russia with sanctions. Oops.
During the Trump administration, defeating Russia became a secondary goal. The concept behind the war we now have was to use a war in Ukraine to defeat Germany and the EU.This is working out very well for the US so far, but the process has exposed too many weaknesses in US power projection, and all the western economies, so new fronts are opening against the Empire all over the global south.
Evidence for my assertion: Trump trashes Iran-Nuke deal. This deal was exactly the kind of deal Trump would have loved to make on his own for any other country, but with Iran, all the benefits would go to propping up the EU with cheap, accessible oil and massive infra-structure projects for EU businesses. If Russia was really the target, Trump would have kept the deal to limit energy trading with Russia. The immediate result of killing the nuke deal was that the EU central bank had to start quantitative easing on the American scale, hollowing out their own economy and making them increasingly vulnerable to US control. The outbreak of the hot war in Ukraine enable the US to really put the screws to EU via the sanctions war vs Russia, which EU was hurt the most by, and the draining of EU military resources that basically can only be replaced by the US in the future, as being cut off from oil is completing the de-industrialization of EU and Germany in particular. Germany technology companies and their skilled workforce will soon be 'onshoring' industrial production to the US, to build up Fortress America.
This was clear to me the day I read about Trump trashing the Iran nuke deal. The talking heads and political operatives have been promoting the anti-Russia, anti-China narrative, and many of them believe it, but anybody who has been watching both military and economic developments in those countries knows that the US has never been in a position to defeat either of them. The Invisible Elite does understand this, all that talk is maskirovka on a grand scale, and we're witnessing the pay-off now. The greatest danger is that the useful idiots who are the public face of the Empire will do something rash to try to salvage the false goals they've been yapping about in public.
Posted by: Honzo | Feb 6 2024 17:26 utc | 44
The problem with b's argument is the assumption that experience gained prior to 2022 means much. Ukrainians repeatedly complain that training provided new troops by NATO is useless because NATO/USA doesn't understand modern warfare with drones. All these majors, colonels and generals with all their experience from Iraq and Afghanistan actually know much less about tactical warfare than those 28 Ukrainian lieutenants with 2 years in the trenches. And NATO generals and civilian leaders certainly don't have strategic vision worth anything or they would never have gotten NATO into this quagmire to begin with.
The best example of uselessness of experience is the Ukrainian summer 2023 offensive. This was planned by highly experienced NATO officers and guess what? It was a disaster just as Zaluzhny warned, but Zelensky insisted because NATO was threatening to cut money and weapons supply if no offensive, plus Zelensky would have to explain to the people where Ukraine was heading if no offensive, and no explanation would be possible other than slow agonizing defeat.
Ukraine's real problem is lack of everything except ISR (which NATO provides): lack of weaponry, lack of ammunition and supplies, lack of good soldiers to use the weaponry and ammunition they do have, and increasingly, lack of morale. They always had lack of strategic vision from their comedian President. Lack of experienced officers is the least of their lacks.
Posted by: anonposter | Feb 6 2024 17:30 utc | 45
Posted by: whirlX | Feb 6 2024 17:23 utc | 43
Zaluzhny was placed in command by Nato in 2021 precisely because he was not a 'backward Soviet trained officer'. Most of the Soviet legacy officers were removed from command, resembling Stalin's purges of the Red Army.
Btw, Polish general Voldemort wants to send all Ukrainians in Europe back to Ukraine. It's been obvious for a while now that the safest place to be a Ukrainian is in Russia.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 6 2024 17:35 utc | 46
@Honzo #41
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-mmW_Z6t3k
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 6 2024 17:38 utc | 47
auditing zaluzhny.. the latest from yalensis..
Ukraine War Day #713: Ze Will Audit Za
Posted by: james | Feb 6 2024 17:40 utc | 48
RT Headline today: -Ukraine promises to destroy Europe’s longest bridge ‘this year'--
Quite conceivable. Remember the Alamo! I mean, Remember the Nordstreams. Just another crossed red-line? Or learn from the past?
Posted by: Elmagnostic | Feb 6 2024 17:40 utc | 49
https://nitter.net/johnnyjmils/status/1754883455823843390#m
Johnny miller
@johnnyjmils
2h
As NATO admits that Ukraine will not be able to take back the “four regions” claimed by Russia. What is life like for civilians there? I’ve spent much of the last 18 months in these regions. The reality is that the vast majority are happy to be part of Russia and just want peace.
In Donetsk, it’s very rare to meet pro Ukrainians. Back in 2014 I was there too. There were a lot more pro Ukrainians back then. Although still a clear majority pro russian. Even western mainstream journos who were there at the time privately admitted as much to me. But after 9 years of war, most of the pro Ukrainians have left. They didn’t want to live under a ‘separatist’ government or be killed by Ukrainian shelling.
In Zapharozhia and Kherson it’s more complex. While Donetsk civilians rage against Ukrainian shelling, there’s not been the same level of terror bombing in these regions. And there are many pro Ukrainians. The Russian appointed governor of the Zapharozhia region admitted as much to me. But there are also many pro Russians in Ukraine. Particularly in Odessa and Khakiv. Which the mainstream press don’t have the courage to admit. Over a million ‘Ukrainians’ fleeing the war to Russia instead of the west will testify to that. I’ve met and interviewed many of them.
In Berdyansk which was taken by Russia early in 2022, I took to the streets and asked a dozen groups of people. Some were avowedly pro Russian, pulling the Z symbol from their bag. A couple were pro Ukrainian. One asking to see my press credentials before answering. Interestingly, the clear majority, about 50% didn’t mind. And just wanted peace. Most people just aren’t very political like everyone reading this tweet. As one young man shrugged to me, “I lived well in Ukraine. I live well now in Russia.”
And that’s the strange reality of these unique regions. If Russia invaded the UK or France you would be hard pressed to find anyone who accepted it. Or who just shrugged and said they didn’t mind. But in these regions people have Russian family, Ukrainian family. They speak Russian and have slavic values. They just want to raise their children, watch movies, love, work and go fishing. Anything but war. Anything but the grinding madness of it and the interruption to their lives.
There are check points. Usually with friendly soldiers casually waving people through with the odd look in the back of the car. The closer you get to the frontlines, the more nervous the soldiers get. But there aren’t soldiers patrolling the streets. They don’t need to. They have enough popular support. This isn’t an occupation like Iraq, Afghanistan or the West Bank. Mainstream journalists who casually declare it to be a brutal occupation have lost command of the English language. If we listen to the people in these regions, the overwhelming majority just want peace so they can rebuild their lives.
A few months ago I would have said Russia would be relatively happy with the territory it has taken. But with continued attacks on Crimea and Belgorod, it looks like they feel they have to go further west. The more Ukrainian fights. The more territory they will lose. And the greater the humiliation of NATO.
There is an alternative to an unwinnable war. If only British and European leaders can find the courage and vision to see it.
The off-ramp for NATO is to declare victory. Say they stopped Russia taking over all of Ukraine. That was never the aim of course but the section of society who trust the mainstream press will believe it. Hell, some nutcases will also claim they stopped Russia invading Eastern Europe or going to Paris. Whatever is needed to save face, save lives and to finally act in European interests.
Feb 6, 2024 · 3:03 PM UTC
Posted by: MD | Feb 6 2024 17:50 utc | 50
Now that the US Senate border deal has collapsed.......and even Mitch acknowledges that fact, it places the $60 B Ukrainian aid segment in grave danger too. Apparently the aid package for the IDF of $17 B could pass as a stand alone bill, but nothing is certain at this point. I would make the point that the IDF is in no need of "aid" i.e.: endless handouts from the US taxpayers since 1948, and the US being already $33T in debt, but what is the use (should not the Israeli government be on a cash only basis, no credit and no dole)?
One thing is certain however, the deep state aligned Senators are completely unnerved.....Senator Chuck Schumer is now quoted as stating that the failure of the Ukrainian aid package to pass Congress will mean that American GI's will be fighting Russian infantry grenadiers very soon. Any port in a storm I guess, but he and his neo con deep state allies fail miserably to denote that the vast majority of the American people are completely and unalterably against endless foreign wars. Meanwhile on the Texas border we have witnessed over 10 million illegal alien crossings, including over 2 million aliens who have completely evaded US Border Patrol operatives and Texas State law enforcement. A real and palpable invasion of the American Republic has occurred and yet Schumer's emphasis is on a far away border in the steppes of the great European plain........
This whole sorry episode exposes for all to see the dichotomy of the American national political class.....ignore the immediate problems on the home front and the will of the American people and respond only to the globalist WEF masters in Geneva..........this can not continue.....2024 will be a major turning point in American history, can the deep state be defeated in detail in the American Republic? Stay tuned....
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Feb 6 2024 17:56 utc | 51
Any rational person who understand warfare knew ukraine stood no chance against motherland Russia even before the war started in Feb 2022.
Posted by: AI | Feb 6 2024 15:08 utc | 10
Indeed and that likely includes it's arguably less than rational sponsors in the US and the EU. None of them actually believed that Ukraine could defeat Russia militarily, in my opinion. The strategy was to wound Putin politically, engendering his replacement with someone hopefully more Yeltsin-like.
Posted by: nwwoods | Feb 6 2024 18:05 utc | 52
Zaluzhny is supposedly being shipped off to act as the Ukrainian ambassador to UK
MI6 bought, MI6 paid.
Ironic how the USA candidate Budanov is the SBU head who sold the NLAWs and Javelins to Syria and Hamas: https://t.me/sitreports/22450 (signature shown around 1:10). Winning move.
Would be even more ironic if Russia were to shoot the Abrams with US weapons.
Posted by: SOS | Feb 6 2024 18:07 utc | 53
MD 50 - Yes we are now witnessing neo con Senators wailing about the fall of Western Europe to the Russian army and comparisons to the German army of 1940 and May collapse of France and Holland and Belgium abound.
Its pure nonsense of course, but its repeated over and over again on the NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox news channels.
War propaganda is so prevalent in the US, we witnessed that in period 1914-1917 when the UK spent millions of dollars in funds purchasing print space for fake German and Austro-Hungarian war crime articles in order to inflame American public opinion and get the US into a purely European dust up.
Over one hundred years later we are viewing the same absurd efforts on the behalf of the dictatorial fascist government in the Ukraine.
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Feb 6 2024 18:09 utc | 54
Hoarsewhisperer @ 37
Simple, wave 5bln, see who shows interest to shoot at Maidan. Nazis are motivated, sort of trained and well entrenched in the army. As they are too ugly/stupid for politics and don't speak English you pick a clown to head them?
The rest is nails.
Posted by: SOS | Feb 6 2024 18:11 utc | 55
I hear what you are saying, and this makes sense. But perhaps things have changed a bit lately...
In the past, you needed talented officers embedded in the frontline units because of poor communications and intelligence etc. Decisions requiring skill and experience had to be made locally.
But now: the NATO generals have a God's eye view of the battlefield. With Starlink terminals, they can relay orders to the individual units. The individual units no longer need deep tactical training, they can just be remote controlled from afar - backed up by a deep staff and AI assistants far from the front lines. Still not as good as having real experienced veteran officers at the front, but perhaps more functional than chickens with their heads cut off. And with the chain of command outside of the local units, perhaps they don't even have the ability to order a surrender.
And if a lot of the Ukrainian "cannon fodder" infantry are Russian speakers, well, so much the better.
But as someone whose own ruling elites have committed treason and are aiding and abetting a foreign invasion of my own country, my interest in Ukraine is mostly academic.
Posted by: TG | Feb 6 2024 18:13 utc | 56
My first thought after reading this reason to surrender was..."well, it's a little for that now".
Besides the Victoria "the princess of death" Nuland was in town the other day to sprinkle her special type of "pixie-dust" upon the lands of Ukrainia. No doubt she reminded the Galician that their grandfathers dark master kept his forces fighting until they were at the gates of the bunker. Surely the goosestepan goons of today's Galicia can match their forefathers by throwing a few more untermenschen into the roaring Russian fire...just to keep everything burning until the cold chill of election season passes?
Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 6 2024 18:26 utc | 57
analysis about Odessa and that Putin has to take it over!
Why Odessa is crucial to Russia's entire special operations
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Ukraine has again threatened to destroy the Crimean Bridge and explosives sent from Odessa intended for terrorist attacks in Russia have again been intercepted. This confirms the importance of this city not only in relation to the course of the war, but also for the fate of all of Eastern Europe.
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First of all, it is worth starting with the most important part of Odessa's infrastructure - the commercial port. The port of Odessa remains operational, as do its associated smaller port facilities in satellite cities such as Chernomorsk. Since the times of the "grain deal", the route of ships has shifted almost entirely to a route along the coast: dry cargo ships usually sail to the mouth of the Danube and then along the Romanian coast. Ukraine still has the ability to conduct maritime trade and the damage to the port was only isolated and quickly repaired.
For humanitarian reasons, the Russian armed forces did not attack the main port terminals, including the grain terminals, as they were supposed to deliver aid to those in need in Africa. The targets of the Russian air and naval forces were mainly the headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, airfields, fuel depots and several military training centers located in the dacha zone around the city in former pioneer camps. The city itself was not targeted; occasional hits were caused by the sloppy work of Ukrainian air defense.
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Additionally, Odessa is historically home to the headquarters of the Southern Command of the Ukrainian Army, which succeeded the headquarters of the Odessa Military District of the USSR Armed Forces in 1991. The Odessa Military District, in turn, was the rear support of the Central Group of Warsaw Pact Armed Forces with its headquarters in the suburbs of Budapest. During Soviet times, it was one of the most saturated districts with weapons, buildings, warehouses and other goods.
Odessa and its surroundings remain an attractive region for rear military services. The city with its infrastructure is the only one of this size in the region, which makes it possible to manage a large economic and geographical agglomeration on its basis. It is both a historically attractive administrative center and a successful development point.
The headquarters of the Ukrainian military has been moved several times within the city since 2022, including to civilian facilities (“Odessa” hotel). The Ukrainian Navy headquarters is in ruins, but Ukraine also no longer has a navy to command. The Marines have long since been absorbed into the shore command. The commander of the fleet, General Neischpapa, a tank driver by training, primarily fulfills propaganda functions. It wasn't until February 5th that he promised again to destroy the Crimean Bridge this year. He simply reminded once again that Ukrainian unmanned sea boats are attacking the facilities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet from Odessa.
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The city's defenses are not staggered and preparations such as checkpoints with sandbags or anti-tank hedgehogs on the beaches initially seemed cartoonish. Odessa has long been a political testing ground where Mikhail Saakashvili and several other marginalized politicians recover from hardships.
Among other things, the city hosts strongholds of dubious political and ethnic diaspora, such as the Georgian and Chechen "legions", which in itself creates instability in Ukraine's relations with Georgia. Historically, this is explained by the fact that in Soviet times, the residents of Adjara - the port city of Batumi - who wanted to connect their fate with the sea, studied nautical navigation in Odessa and Nikolayev. Now the initiator of the transport of explosives through Georgia is also a native of Adjara who has spent his entire life in Odessa.
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IMPORTANT !!
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From a logistical perspective, since 2022, Odessa has become one of the main transit points for all Western aid supplies to Ukraine, including weapons. The Polish route via Volhynia to the Rzeszów military airfield is limited by the capacity of the railway and the only motorway. Transporting weapons across the Carpathians is cumbersome. Large "items" such as anti-aircraft systems must be dismantled in order to bring them to Kiev. In addition, all transport routes from Kiev via Zhitomir to the west are overloaded, while the route from Romania to Odessa has so far been relatively free.
But all of these are, by and large, peculiarities. Odessa itself is of crucial importance for the overall strategic course of the NWO and for the further peaceful shaping of the regional post-war order.
Let's start again with the simplest thing - a port. A demilitarized Ukraine will not have access to the sea, it does not need it. Kiev maintains the appearance of a large country in the center of Europe as long as it owns Odessa.
Without Odessa, Ukraine will become a state with little prospect, which, even if important historical Soviet industrial centers (Dniepropetrovsk, Krivoy Rog) are preserved, will seem like a remote province. And the proposals that emerged last week to move the capital of Ukraine to Lviv are no longer perceived as just an empty fantasy.
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This is just for the trolls who think Putin would agree to a freeze or a ceasefire.
It's capitulation across the board, but then and only then do Poland, Hungary, Romania come into play...
Conclusion: The SMO ends through surrender or in any case only when Odessa has been taken!
Posted by: ossi | Feb 6 2024 18:36 utc | 60
@60 please credit your source in this long quotation?
Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 6 2024 18:45 utc | 61
@60 Bitte nennen Sie Ihre Quelle in diesem langen Zitat.
Gepostet von: S Brennan | 6. Februar 2024 18:45 UTC | 61
.
.
https://rtde.live/international/195300-warum-odessa-fuer-gesamte-spezialoperation-entscheidend-ist/
Posted by: os | Feb 6 2024 18:47 utc | 62
Posted by: ossi | Feb 6 2024 18:36 utc | 60
If it is correct, then destroying the port facilities and infrastructure in Odessa will put a major bottleneck, and force pretty much everything to go through Rzeswow and Lwow, which will cause more congestion and bottlenecks. Those are bottlenecks, which also might have potential weaknesses to be hit and disabled.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 6 2024 18:49 utc | 63
Thank you, b, for picking up on that LT.’s age and billet.
It’s another sign of consistent US cynicism regarding Ukraine.
US propaganda admits the horrific loss of Ukrainian life but justifies it as bleeding Russia of men and materiel and as holding the line against future Russian aggression, the latter aimed at activating memories of the Korea & Vietnam-era Domino Theory for both older generations and those who’ve been indoctrinated via secondary school History classes.
Yet the reality is that the The Russians are aware of that, so they go slowly, reduce casualties, use their convicts whenever possible (and rehabilitate them afterward), experiment with new electronic and physical weapons and strategies for their combined use, import ordnance from China, Iran, and North Korea and use it periodically to test its quality, and run their numerous weapons factories 24/7.
They rotate their troops to gain for them actual war experience and also rotate their younger officers for in-theater training and for the evaluation of their decision-making skills and abilities to work within the chain of command.
Meanwhile, the US’s opposition coordinates guerrilla-type drone and missile attacks in the ME that consume US time, energy, and materiel.
Russia is preparing for the next phase and for possible multiple theaters while also managing the homeland, continuing to press the conflict in Ukraine, and exerting diplomatic pressure wherever that can possibly bear fruit.
This war began in 2014. The world will be a very different place in five years, especially in the US and EU.
Posted by: Ciaran | Feb 6 2024 18:53 utc | 64
Gepostet von: unimperator | 6. Februar 2024 18:49 UTC | 63
.
.
Maybe... but Odessa must never remain in Ukrainian hands... a goal for whom?
And without a port, Ukraine is controlled by the EU as far as its exports are concerned!!!
Posted by: ossi | Feb 6 2024 18:57 utc | 65
@60 please credit your source in this long quotation?
Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 6 2024 18:45 utc | 61
Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 6 2024 19:01 utc | 66
@ S Brennan | Feb 6 2024 19:01 utc | 66
there link appears in german rt @ os | Feb 6 2024 18:47 utc | 62
thanks os or ossi..
Posted by: james | Feb 6 2024 19:07 utc | 67
I went to it but, RT does not provide an Anglo-anologue
Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 6 2024 19:10 utc | 68
Medvedev has commented that the EU is building a Euro Guage mainline railway to Lvov.
He said that the EU is planning to relocate the Ukrainian Government to Lvov making the city the new capital.
This is wrong.
He has misread the intention.
The British and Polish have already announced that Lvov will be a centre of new operations, covered with a new air defence shield and occupied by British and Polish "Peacekeepers", "advisors", and factory specialists.
The EU guage railway is for the seamless transport of EU and NATO logistics, is weapons systems, at high speed from anywhere within "NATO territory", ie the NATO shengin.
The British and Polish are doubling down on Ukraine, and will push every red line until they bounce off the rev limiter.
When Ukraine can't fight anymore the British and Polish will, and only a fool would dismiss the potential damage a rabid and nuclear armed Britain can do alongside an ambitious Poland.
Posted by: The British Railway | Feb 6 2024 19:16 utc | 69
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 6 2024 18:35 utc | 59
Interview translated in French here:
Used a machine to translate it in any other language.
Posted by: Naive | Feb 6 2024 19:27 utc | 70
"Zaluzhny is supposedly being shipped off to act as the Ukrainian ambassador to UK"
My SWAG is that this is a compromise, presumably dictated by the Americans. Zelenskii remains titular president. Zaluzhnyii steps down without a fight and can go to the UK, where he has a measure of protection and is free to seethe and plot, but is not able to interfere too much in Zelenskii's machinations. Plus, Zaluzhnyii makes a good insurance policy, in the event Zelenskii doesn't carry out his orders.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Feb 6 2024 19:33 utc | 71
More fun:
Tucker Carlson on why he interviewed Putin
Posted by: Lathe Biosas | Feb 6 2024 19:36 utc | 72
Norwegian | Feb 6 2024 18:35 utc | 59--
Thanks for the FYI. TASS confirms, reporting:
US journalist Tucker Carlson announced that he will soon have an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He announced the upcoming interview in a video, posted on his X page.Carlson arrived in Russia last week. Back in September, 2023, he said that he attempted to arrange an interview with Putin, but US authorities prohibited that.
Last time, the Russian president gave an interview to a Western reporter in October, 2021. Back then, he talked to CNBC reporter Hadley Gamble after the Russian Energy Week plenary meeting.
I presume it's happening about now, which is late night in Moscow, or will happen tomorrow at some point. I hope Carlson did some homework and asks educated questions.
@Posted by: The British Railway | Feb 6 2024 19:16 utc | 69
Your logic is about as reliable as the British railways. Poland will only enter Western Ukraine with the agreement of the Russians, they may huff and puff as much as the perfidious British elite but they understand the Russian ability to blow their house up. The US puppet master will also yank their restraints if they get too crazy. The British are the blow up doll of geopolitical power, full of hot air but easily deflated.
An excellent post by B, making the very good point that with such a depleted force the Ukrainian army is very dependent upon fortifications for its ability to fight the Russians. Once that is breached, maneuver warfare sets in and the Ukie headless chickens will be make easy targets. Interesting that the Russians now seem to be targeting Ukie drone operators as the Ukie artillery is already so depleted. Also, regularly taking out headquarter staffs on a regular basis. The rush to the Dniepr may then look like the Allied rush to the Rhine after the Allied forces had broken out of the hedgerow country in Normandy.
Carlson hasn't done the interview yet, "Tucker Carlson Releases Video From Moscow Explaining Why He is Interviewing President Putin", the X video is linked to by the article.
WOW!!!!! I highly suggest watching the 4.5 minute video linked within the article linked @75 above.
Just WOW!!!
by The British Railway | Feb 6 2024 19:16 utc | 69
Yes. that confirms Russian buffer zone of around 100 km.
Kiev falls under it. I am afraid if it goes like this, perhaps also some no-fly buffer deep in Romania. too.
Posted by: whirlX | Feb 6 2024 20:04 utc | 77
Ukraine is no longer a state, but a US tool to harm the RF.
That is why the conflict has come about. The negotiations in 2022 were Ukraine's last chance to secure its existence. As a state, the country had long been bankrupt, the youth was emigrating...
From the point of view of the USA and the UK, however, this tool, this failed state, can still harm the RF.
The citizens, private and state property, the environment ... - all of this can be sacrificed in order to harm Russia.
And since Ukraine is a failed state, it cannot free itself through state structures.
This is because the state structures form the repressive apparatus, which is controlled by funding.
The AFU must therefore hold a residual territory from which NATO can commit terror that would not be possible from its territory without consequences.
It is questionable whether anyone in NATO really believes that anything other than a delay in the end of the conflict and terrorist attacks could be achieved.
Posted by: 600w | Feb 6 2024 20:10 utc | 78
ossi,
Didn't Putin promise at the start of the SMO that the Odessa Massacre would be avenged?
Posted by: Lysias | Feb 6 2024 20:15 utc | 79
^ Tucker definitely a must watch. A lot of people have seriously surprised me in the last couple of years. World turned upside down.
This is off the scale, civilians in Avdeevka, holy shit! This might be the craziest thing I've seen from the entire war. No idea how they survived the last year. Really, really hope they survive all the drones and mines. The fine line between fortitude and crazy:
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Feb 6 2024 20:20 utc | 80
by karlof1 | Feb 6 2024 20:00 utc | 76
Just WOW!!!
That was a real ninja move, in less than 48h.
Posted by: whirlX | Feb 6 2024 20:23 utc | 81
Tucker Carlson's exclusive interview with Vladimir Putin in Moscow – Full transcript :
TUCKER: What would you say to the people who run America?
PUTIN: Our message is that Russia is not your enemy. We don't want a war. We are ready for peace. Your leaders are looking for conflict. That's not what we want. Russia is defending its own people. We don't want what doesn't belong to us.
TUCKER: Would you like to visit Washington?
PUTIN: Yes, of course. I have already been to the United States. I like to visit and I have met all the presidents except Joe Biden. If I was invited, I would go. Yes.
TUCKER: What is your opinion on President Biden?
PUTIN: We are convinced that he is not leading the country. Let's say that we have good sources that confirm this, but it is obvious that everyone can see for themselves. The United States has now entered a dark period. His leadership has no accountability.
TUCKER: Do you think Joe Biden won fairly?
PUTIN: I would prefer not to get into American domestic politics, but I will say that my embassy reported that your southern border was better managed than the 2020 elections. (laughs)
TUCKER: A poll conducted in the United States shows you to be more popular than Biden – any reaction?
PUTIN: (laughs) I don't know if this should be taken seriously, but Russian ideals have support. We believe in traditional values; marriage is between a man and a woman: men are men and women are women.
TUCKER: Who would you like to see as the next President of the United States?
PUTIN: Again, it is not for us to say this or to get involved. Contrary to long-standing accusations, we do not meddle in your elections. We don't need it, because it's the same people who end up running things anyway.
TUCKER: Why did you invade Ukraine?
PUTIN: Have we invaded or have we been invaded? Look at the story. Look at the people who live there. Historically, we are the ones who have been invaded and are only fighting back now. The lands and the people are Russian and we will find what has always been ours.
TUCKER: How would you feel, mdr, if Trump won again?
PUTIN: We had good relations when Mr. Trump was president. There was no war. Our relations were at a climax. That said, nothing is predictable and the statistics are the same. We'll have to see.
TUCKER: What do you think of Mr. Zelensky and what would be your message to him?
PUTIN: I remember laughing at his jokes when he was a comedian in Russia. Let's get back to the laughs.
TUCKER: Why is that?
PUTIN: There are strong financial entities that have an interest in keeping us as adversaries. One of your presidents warned against this. We Russians don't have this problem.
TUCKER: Do you consider the United States an enemy?
PUTIN: No. Categorically no. We were allies during the Second World War. The Russians helped to colonize Alaska, California, and we were also in Hawaii. Our people are not an enemy, but those in Washington are certainly not our friends.
TUCKER: Can you be more specific and name names?
PUTIN: It would be useless. It's not up to us to solve your domestic problems. Besides, I'm sure you know the names better than we do.
TUCKER: So, are you saying that your opponent is not Joe Biden but the people behind him?
PUTIN: Exactly. Joe Biden may not even be aware of what's going on. He may not understand the level of sanctions imposed on Russia. Who set up these sanctions? These are our opponents.
TUCKER: Is that why you defend the BRICS?
PUTIN: The BRICS would exist anyway. This is a natural reaction to the Western trading bloc. It's a counterweight. When the dollar is used as a weapon against the states, there will be a natural alternative. That's what we want.
TUCKER: Is that why you and Russia were targeted?
PUTIN: It's more complicated than that, but I'm sure that explains a lot of this situation. Whenever the dollar is in danger, the United States takes extreme measures. She cannot afford to see the dollar fall.
TUCKER: But isn't Russia weaker and more economically vulnerable than the United States?
PUTIN: If we consider the size of the economies, we are small. But few people take into account our vast natural resources. Russia has more than $80,000 billion underground. No country comes close to us.
TUCKER: What is your opinion on President Biden?
PUTIN: We are convinced that he is not leading the country. Let's say that we have good sources that confirm this, but it is obvious that everyone can see for themselves. The United States has now entered a dark period. His leadership has no accountability.
TUKER: All right. That's understood, but don't you have the same problems in Russia?
PUTIN: Yes. To a degree. But in Russia, these interests more closely correspond to the thinking of the average Russian on the street. In the United States, this is not the case. The elites have abandoned you.
TUCKER: So, who do you think is running the United States?
PUTIN: The forces that have always led him. You can change the president, but you don't change those who hold the real power. This is what we have to face. Joe Biden is just a facade for this power structure.
TUCKER: Let's get to the politics. What is your opinion on President Biden?
PUTIN: We are convinced that he is not leading the country. Let's say we have sources that confirm this, but it's obvious to everyone. The United States has now entered a dark period. His leadership has no accountability.
TUCKER: So, who do you think is running the United States?
PUTIN: The same forces that have always led him. You can change the president, but you don't change those who hold the real power. This is what we have to face. Joe Biden is just a facade for this power structure.
TUCKER: But there have been persistent reports that you have cancer?
PUTIN: I assure you that these rumors are false. if I had cancer and I beat it, I would share the good news and the cure with the world.
TUCKER: Thank you for sitting down with us. How is your health? There have been rumors
PUTIN: I am glad to speak with you and, through you, with the American people. It's all right with me. I feel good. Considering my age, I'm healthier, but it's father time.
TUCKER: When you say that some people fear him, do you mean that Musk has enemies?
PUTIN: It is clear that he has enemies in the United States – the way he was stripped of $50 billion in assets – we would call that special treatment. This is unfair on the face of it.
TUCKER: Weren't you afraid of Musk when he started supplying Starlink equipment to Ukraine?
PUTIN: If someone seriously thinks that a few Internet antennas can defeat the power of Russia, well, what can I say? But no, we neither feared nor blamed Mr. Musk. The government did not leave him much choice.
TUCKER: A lot has changed in the world. What is your opinion on Elon Musk?
PUTIN: We consider Mr. Musk to be a businessman – very successful. He has built a great fortune and a huge following. He is a unique thinker with a strength of personality that cannot be bought. Some people fear it.
TUCKER: Do you have any advice for Elon?
PUTIN: I would say to continue. Don't be intimidated. But if things ever get too difficult, there is Russia. We would be happy to open our doors to you. We have already welcomed American businessmen and would appreciate someone of Mr. Musk's caliber.
TUCKER: Let's turn to Trump. First tell me what you think about the current situation with the probability that he will be re-elected?
PUTIN: That would be a bit strange and out of place, but we are well prepared. He promised to end the fighting in Ukraine and we support this idea.
TUCKER: How could he end the war so quickly?
PUTIN: On the one hand, he never insulted us. He has great respect for Russia. We would start from a position of friendship and trust – then all problems can be solved. We could do it. Trust me.
TUCKER: Are you referring to Biden calling you a killer?
PUTIN: We have been the target of many insults and insults dating back several generations of politicians. Mr. Trump made for a refreshing break. It is very popular in Russia. Maybe it won't do him any good.
TUCKER: Are you in communication with Trump?
PUTIN: No. Of course not. But if he won again, our lines of communication would open instantly, whereas at the moment we have no dialogue with President Biden.
TUCKER: It shocks me. Has no one from the White House been in contact with you?
PUTIN: That's right. No one has called since we congratulated Mr. Biden on his election victory. We are surprised that communications are colder today than during the Cold War.
TUCKER: How do you think the 2024 elections will turn out?
PUTIN: We are just observing. It is our responsibility to be vigilant because it will have an impact on the world. We hope that the elections will be held in such a way that the results are credible. In Russia, we do not send ballots by mail.
TUCKER: Let's turn to China. How is your relationship?
PUTIN: President Xi and I are particularly close. Russia and China now have good relations, which is an obvious asset for us since they are one of our largest energy partners. We will continue to be friends.
TUCKER: Some accuse China of helping you in the war in Ukraine. Is this true?
PUTIN: This is not something I can discuss. Let's just say that Russia is not an isolated power. This strategy has failed. We now have more allies and business partners than before the war began.
TUCKER: Have you ever considered a situation in which Russia and China could join forces against the United States?
PUTIN: Do you mean economically or militarily? I would say that we don't want either of them. It is not in our interests to come into conflict with the United States, because all sides would lose in such a conflict.
TUCKER: Speaking of conflicts, what is your point of view on the situation in Gaza?
PUTIN: It's a real shame. The Palestinians are devastated. Israel acts without coercion. It shows the terrible double standards that exist in the world. Where are the sanctions against Israel?
TUCKER: Is Russia involved in any way, including through your alliance with Iran?
PUTIN: No. Of course not. We are not opposed to the existence of Israel, but at the same time we support the Palestinians' right to self-determination. We want to be fair.
TUCKER: Are you following what's going on at the southern border of the United States?
PUTIN: Actually, yes. This is part of my daily briefing. We Russians find it ironically amusing that your Congress spends billions protecting foreign borders while neglecting its own. It's quite laughable but deadly.
TUCKER: Deadly? What do you mean by that?
PUTIN: Very serious, of course. People die every day crossing your border in an uncontrolled way. It's a general melee. The world has not seen anything like this in the modern era – it is unwise for a country to open up like this.
TUCKER: Is Russia somehow taking advantage of the border situation?
PUTIN: No. Why should we do it. We don't have to do anything. America is self-destructing. And as Napoleon said, do not prevent your enemy from destroying himself.
TUCKER: So you see America as an enemy?
PUTIN: It was just a saying, but the current administration is definitely not a friend.
TUCKER: Can that be changed?
PUTIN: That's why there are elections.
TUCKER: Thank you again for continuing to engage with me on so many different topics. Can we become even more interesting so to speak?
PUTIN: Of course. I am open to most subjects.
TUCKER: Let's talk about climate change. This idea continues to be encouraged in the United States and Europe. What is your position?
PUTIN: Humanity is not even a type 1 civilization on the scale of Kardashev. If we cannot exploit the energy potential of the planet, how can we control the climate?
TUCKER: Are you at least worried?
PUTIN: I am more concerned about the real problems. Climate change is not one of them. The Earth is quite successful in self-regulating. And if Siberia warms up a little, all the better. More agricultural land for Russia.
TUCKER: But what would you say to the true believers who are convinced that we are heading for disaster?
PUTIN: I would tell them that worrying about climate change is like complaining about the weather. If you don't like the climate, move. If you are worried about the weather, get an umbrella.
TUCKER: In that sense, how do you see the transgender movement?
PUTIN: I find it interesting that everything that was once the target of blackmail is now a badge of honor. In Russia, there are no laws in all cases, but we certainly do not force our children to do this.
TUCKER: Russia has been criticized for its anti-gay laws and as being hostile to LGBTQ+.
PUTIN: We have laws that protect our children. And we don't drape our embassies in rainbow flags. That's correct. Otherwise, we do not intervene in the private lives of adult citizens.
TUCKER: Do you follow American sports? We are about to have the Super Bowl.
PUTIN: Actually, yes. Russia is a great sports nation. We have hosted the Winter Olympic Games and the World Cup quite recently. We all love sports.
TUCKER: What do you think about American football?
PUTIN: It's an interesting sport. But why is it called football when the ball is almost always played with the hands? It also sometimes seems unnecessarily violent.
TUCKER: That's right. Will you look?
PUTIN: The game will not be broadcast in Russia.
TUCKER: So you won't get to see Taylor Swift either?
PUTIN: No. We got a reprieve.
TUCKER: Thank you President Putin for your time.
The exclusive transcript of the interview with Tucker Carlson Putin
Posted by: Naive | Feb 6 2024 20:33 utc | 82
In response to
"
Carlson hasn't done the interview yet, "Tucker Carlson Releases Video From Moscow Explaining Why He is Interviewing President Putin", the X video is linked to by the article.
Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 6 2024 19:53 utc | 75
"
Thanks Karl and I agree, Wow!
It will be interesting to see what is in the interview and what is not. I was encouraged to hear that the money system might be discussed because there is so much ignorance around the public/private finance paradigm.
What I didn't hear was when this is all suppose to happen and be available.
I don't agree with Tucker's Left/Right delusions but appreciate his efforts to challenge the status quo.....and I do believe it will make a difference in the outcome of the Ukraine SMO.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 6 2024 20:42 utc | 85
I'd love to believe, I truly would, I've read the analysis and it makes sense, but we've been hearing reports of imminent Ukrainian demise for over a year now and it doesn't happen as predicted. So what is really going on? Are we reading too much into a single NYT article? I do not know.Posted by: Feral Finster | Feb 6 2024 16:43 utc | 32
Following the map analysts, it has been obvious, to me anyway, that Russia has been advancing on multiple fronts for several weeks, inflicting tremendous losses on the Ukie military, and that those advances are picking up speed, with ever larger daily gains. The cauldrons around Avdeevka and Bilgorivka (apologies for misspelling) are now closing. The headlines from some of the most recent map analysts:
Free Russian: "Russians succesfully penetrated Ukrainian defense north of Avdeevka. Threats of encirclement rise."
Weeb Union: "20% captured as Russian and former Wagner soldiers storm Avdeevka from all directions."
Military Summary : "25% of Avdeevka captured. Massive air bombing of Vovchansk."
Moreover, the various map analysts are reporting much the same gains, with small differences depending on the sources they use. It certainly looks like Ukrainian defenses are collapsing up and down the front line
Posted by: Mike R | Feb 6 2024 20:42 utc | 86
I'd like to see Blackrock get a black eye in Ukraine and take a serious loss on their investments there.
Posted by: kerdasi amaq | Feb 6 2024 20:46 utc | 87
A handy drone set would be a land-loitering camouflaged drone. It would arrive at night , and then just park conveniently next to a trench, a building or terrain such as grassland or forests. the camouflage would make it look like dirt/debris, roof tiles, a ground-hugging plant, or leaf litter.
As well as being a forward spy/listening post, it can be set to 'pounce' on passing infantry or vehicles and explode.
There's a lot of evolution still to happen.
Posted by: scepticalSOB | Feb 6 2024 20:47 utc | 88
Maybe, it would be best for Ukraine to taken over by Russia and maybe acquire a less corrupt government that way,
Posted by: kerdasi amaq | Feb 6 2024 20:48 utc | 89
by: Naive | Feb 6 2024 20:33 utc | 82
Apologizing for putting a whiff of a distrust, but, that is not a real transcript, is it? But it is done in a Putin's style, for a good 50%.
I prefer to see and hear it myself.
Posted by: whirlX | Feb 6 2024 20:52 utc | 90
Here's a direct link to the video on Tucker's website:
https://tuckercarlson.com/why-were-in-moscow/
Posted by: blueswede | Feb 6 2024 20:56 utc | 91
Apollyon | Feb 6 2024 20:38 utc | 84--
You are correct. The interview has yet to be posted to TC's website or to his X account. I saw another fake transcript on another site as well. I also expect the Kremlin to publish it as well as it's done with past interviews, and that's not happened either.
Explaining Why He is Interviewing President Putin
Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 6 2024 19:53 utc | 75
---
Tucker is pretty familiar with the royal "we".
Posted by: too scents | Feb 6 2024 21:07 utc | 93
psychohistorian | Feb 6 2024 20:42 utc | 85--
Thanks for your reply. I need to go out for several hours and hope it will be done and posted by the time I return. Of course, I'll be posting it to my substack and linking to it and the original sources as usual. TC's comments on the rights of Americans to know the truth of things was very powerful and something unsaid for too many years. IMO, he came across very Assange-like, which shows he's been getting a fast education now that he's outside the media bubble.
Let us all in the bar take a moment to tip a glass to Deputy Battalion Commander Lt. Oleksandr Shyrshyn for his bravery, given an impossible task in the face of overwhelming odds.
Respect.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Feb 6 2024 21:10 utc | 95
@too scents
Tucker is pretty familiar with the royal "we".
No, he's not. He's very down to earth and humble.
Posted by: Apollyon | Feb 6 2024 21:11 utc | 96
Well,b, not really or at least not in all the case.
Stalin made a "good job" purging the Red Army of valid officers just in time for the Barbarossa Operation, and this offensive killed/wounded/imprisioned hundreds of thousands on NCO's and officers, that what the reason the professional whermacht oficers, not the brainless nazis that believe the russian were "untermensch" but the real professionals, they thought, in August 1941, that the Red Army was in the brink of total collapse, but then the Red Army recover and defeat completely the whermacht from 1943 onwards.
IMHO the more important factors are: population, industry and will to fight, if you have the 3 factors in your favour (as Russia has from the very begining) you will win soon or later, you can "create" as many officers and NCO's as you need.
Posted by: Dave | Feb 6 2024 21:30 utc | 98
Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Feb 6 2024 15:45 utc | 18
maybe this makes you to rethink your theorie?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/oct/13/benito-mussolini-recruited-mi5-italy
Posted by: onetwo | Feb 6 2024 21:54 utc | 99
Re: Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 6 2024 17:00 utc | 37
In 2014 ABC Oz ran a series of TV audience participation debates on major topics called Big Ideas. In the episode broadcast on August 14 ex-PM Malcolm Fraser was in 1 of the two hot seats and the topic was American Exceptionalism.Someone in the audience raised the subject of Ukraine and Frazer said that Vikki Nuland spent $5 Billion on the coup because "US wanted Ukraine in NATO which Putin won't tolerate."
My point is that back in 2014 ZATO must have known that Ukraine's armed forces were no match for Russia's. And it's now bleeding obvious that ZATO never gave a tinker's cuss about Ukraine or its people.
Interesting. I ran into Malcolm in late July 2014 and told him about this (and the shoot down of MH17) and he had no idea about any of this stuff regarding Russia-Ukraine.
Maybe I got him informed about this stuff - or at least prompted him to do some research.
Posted by: Julian | Feb 6 2024 21:57 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
Lancet and ZALA, a deadly tandem:
https://youtu.be/xZe34OqfTFE
Posted by: blueswede | Feb 6 2024 14:35 utc | 1