04-12-2023, 03:33 AM
We sit here and observe what the U.S. will not give Ukraine, like ATCMS and air power, and wonder why not, with the need for a counteroffensive known to all. The assumption is Ukraine needs more to win, so why aren’t we giving them everything needed to do so? I’ve complained of half-measures for months now myself.
But what if Ukraine and NATO Allies actually know Ukraine is in fact being given what is needed to achieve the objectives?
One under the radar reality I’m starting to appreciate is Ukraine’s use of small drone air craft. I’ve read Ukraine might be able to deploy thousands of them. These aren’t 4th gen fighters but in mass numbers kamikaze drones can be a good substitute. Not only can they be detonation threats, they can also really mess with the heads of Russian forces and be a major distraction. It’s bad enough to know yer being targeted by artillery, tanks, and mortars, but throw in being surrounded by difficult to see tiny flying vehicles that can also kill you, and it’s hard to imagine being able to actually do anything but flee or surrender. Some drones might even deliver surrender offers themselves.
The Iranian kamikaze drones are big and expensive, and can be shot down rather easily. Ukraine has been able to be pretty effective with much smaller and cheaper hand held ones that are too small for most air defense that is not gonna be with Russian forces because Ukraine doesn’t offer any conventional air threat.
It seems inevitable Ukraine will get more conventional air power, but western planners might not want to give to Ukraine for fear they will start attacking inside Russia and provoke a larger war. Part of the plan might be to just return as many dead sons and fathers as possible to the Russian people to erode away support for war. Air power might get it over more quickly in theory, but Ukraine attacking in Russia would risk getting Russian people more motivated to fight Ukraine and help Putin.
But what if Ukraine and NATO Allies actually know Ukraine is in fact being given what is needed to achieve the objectives?
One under the radar reality I’m starting to appreciate is Ukraine’s use of small drone air craft. I’ve read Ukraine might be able to deploy thousands of them. These aren’t 4th gen fighters but in mass numbers kamikaze drones can be a good substitute. Not only can they be detonation threats, they can also really mess with the heads of Russian forces and be a major distraction. It’s bad enough to know yer being targeted by artillery, tanks, and mortars, but throw in being surrounded by difficult to see tiny flying vehicles that can also kill you, and it’s hard to imagine being able to actually do anything but flee or surrender. Some drones might even deliver surrender offers themselves.
The Iranian kamikaze drones are big and expensive, and can be shot down rather easily. Ukraine has been able to be pretty effective with much smaller and cheaper hand held ones that are too small for most air defense that is not gonna be with Russian forces because Ukraine doesn’t offer any conventional air threat.
It seems inevitable Ukraine will get more conventional air power, but western planners might not want to give to Ukraine for fear they will start attacking inside Russia and provoke a larger war. Part of the plan might be to just return as many dead sons and fathers as possible to the Russian people to erode away support for war. Air power might get it over more quickly in theory, but Ukraine attacking in Russia would risk getting Russian people more motivated to fight Ukraine and help Putin.