Ukraine

I don't get why it's news, other than sensationalism.

A battle tank went into battle. It got destroyed. It's sad, but that's what happens in war.

Ok I get the propaganda value for Russia. Our MOD foolishly bragged that a challenger 2 had never been lost in battle. That's like a massive red rag to a bull. But if everyone had genuinely believed the Challenger 2 was so invisible, we'd have only had to send one of them. In fact we'd only need one, and we could just lend it out, safe in the knowledge we'd get it back intact. But that's not how war works. Someone did some calculations and estimates and decided that some percentage of equipment would be destroyed, and the Challenger 2 would not have been exempt.

 

I presume its because its the first one??

We didn't send many.

 

I didn't think we had many in the first place. But we didn't need many, because the MOD very vocally bragged that they were pretty much invincible.

 

I presume that's why they are being upgraded to challenger 3s.

Maybe they should have told Ukraine they were rubbish then?

 

98 Roubles to a Dollar - not long now before the base interest rates go up.

It shows that UK sent arms are making a difference.

 

Support from Nato is making a difference to the conflict in the Ukraine. Not sure how this directly affects Russian interest rates. Sanctions, rather than weapons, may be having more effect.
The Ukranian hyrvini is 37 to the dollar and Ukranian base rate is 25.
Not sure I'd put my retirement pot into either country

 

It's in the news that Russia has resorted to dirty tactics to recruit more soldiers. Of course we have to be careful how much we believe the news because there's a huge dollop of propaganda on all sides, but if we take it at face value, it shows absolute desperation.

It seems they've been trying to recruit foreigners. In one example, a human trafficking ring has been busted in Cuba, where people were being brought in to fight on behalf of Russia. In another example, there are reports of foreign building contractors having their passports confiscated and 'encouraged' to fight.

One of Russia's less well publicised goals is to change the balance of power globally. They're upset that most of the world's economic activity is currently dominated by Washington and London. Well once again, their tactics will backfire, as all the highly skilled, intelligent young adults have been getting the hell out of dodge so to speak, and if Russia is now sucking skilled people out of other less wealthy countries, then that's not going to help redress the balance of economic power, when anyone with half a brain who is able to, has legged it to the west.

 

Not wanting to draw parallels, but just occasionally I think we are in the same position with the US, do they really need us?
Or do we need them.

 

Both.

In military terms, the US has all the firepower, but they've never won a war on their own. The UK by comparison is tiny in terms of military capability, yet the US always invites us to the party.

I have no military background so I might be talking out of my posterior, but going solely off what I see in the news, the relationship seems to go like this. The US uses it's superior numbers to soften up a target, then the UK uses expertise, precision and specialism to sort out what's left.

 

I think we get invited because its political and in some ways traditional.

The US dont want to be seen to be the big power waving the big stick, politically its better if they get smaller countries involved.

 

Saw a video of Ukraine pouring armoured vehicles through a gap in Russian defences - soon to be bolstered by top tier tanks:

US President Joe Biden has said that the first batch of Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine "next week"

I reckon that ATACMS will be right behind them.

This news about Poland stopping new arms supplies - they have done their bit by giving Ukraine 30% of their existing kit.

 

Putin not laughing. Very nearly 100 roubles to a dollar again. Interest rates about to go up again in Russia. Thats what happens when no one wants to buy your exports.