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We're escalating slowly, gauging the Kremlin's reaction, while clearing out the backlog of mostly obsolete Western weapons, which will allow for the purchase of a lot of new toys among the Western countries. In the process, we're bleeding the Russian army (and thus its threat) dry for a generation and deeply hurting the Russian (they're not our friends) economy at the same time. This will be the cheapest price the NATO and its allies will ever have to pay to clean out Russia of its Soviet war arsenal. Ukraine is a willing combatant and the West's interests (the neutering of Russia) are being served.
Make no mistake, the West is fine with this dragging out and costing Russia copious lives and resources. The West has frozen roughly $350 Billion of Russian assets that they'll eventually approve the redistribution of. By comparison, they collectively spent something like $50 Billion supporting Ukraine in 2022. There is PLENTY more to spend before it's actually a spending burden for the West.
There is about 950 million people that live in NATO countries. That number jumps to about 1 billion people when you add the other countries (such as Australia) that are also supporting Ukraine. If we spend $100 Billion making Russia's life miserable, that's only $100 per person living in a NATO country. That's a complete drop in the bucket. By comparison, Canada alone, spent more than $500 Billion dollars to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. That's what ONE NATO country spent. If Canada puts out $5-7 Billion as it's share of spending on Ukraine, that's absolutely NOTHING.
It looks like we are entering new phase of the war and weapons are finally coming. There are even talks now about Leopards (few from each country, about 100 total).As far Ukraine is concerned their biggest obstacle has not been the Russian army but trying to get her allies to give her the weapons she needs to end the war. Countries like the USA are happy for this drag out because like you say it causes bigger costs to Russia. But i suspect that with the right weapons the Ukrainians could end this war within 3 months.
If I remember correctly There is Czech air defence system that merge BUK platform with Italian equivalent of Sparrow missile, isn't it?
I forgot its name.
Edit:
Found it: KUB CZ with Aspide missile.
Expecting something like this but with Sea Sparrow.
unlikely.Zelensky confirming that Scholz and the Germans are sending Ukraine "dozens" (you'd assume at least 3 dozen) Marder IFVs, as well as the previously mentioned Patriot Missiles Battery, to match the American contribution.
Merry Christmas Ukraine!
Can we get upgraded Slovakian and Polish Mig-29's into Ukraine already? They're ready to part with them. 30-40, along with all the ammunition for them, would probably double the size and strength of the Ukrainian Air Force right now.
Do you know how many tanks are still in reserve? How many armored vehicles? Not new, but still better then russian ones.It is very interesting, some members say that Ukraine, which is still fighting with the weapons given by other countries, even with volunteers, will soon achieve victory.
I think it's like waiting for the lottery jackpot without buying a ticket. I don't know if you're aware, but the armored vehicles left by the soviets in European countries are gone, countries have started to give away the armored ones they keep in reserve in their warehouses.
even now, they have started to give out old missiles like the sea sparrow, which are still waiting in the warehouse.
If the Russians keep the current state of war without doing anything, maybe 1 year later, no aid will come to Ukraine.
This is a really uninformed take.It is very interesting, some members say that Ukraine, which is still fighting with the weapons given by other countries, even with volunteers, will soon achieve victory.
I think it's like waiting for the lottery jackpot without buying a ticket. I don't know if you're aware, but the armored vehicles left by the soviets in European countries are gone, countries have started to give away the armored ones they keep in reserve in their warehouses.
even now, they have started to give out old missiles like the sea sparrow, which are still waiting in the warehouse.
If the Russians keep the current state of war without doing anything, maybe 1 year later, no aid will come to Ukraine.
If the russians don't make a new attack, they guarantee the worst current territory.
I am not even counting the economic and social crises in Europe and the USA.
I think Europe cannot survive a cold winter without electricity and a second gas.
In the 2nd winter, European states cannot give their citizens the economic support they used to have.
For this reason, Europe may cut its support to Ukraine and turn to an agreement with Russia despite the USA.
Exactly. Some of these guys seem to be huffing the hopium/copium cocktail.Do you know how many tanks are still in reserve? How many armored vehicles? Not new, but still better then russian ones.
US will start sending Bradleys, they have about 6000 of them in reserve and those are solid enough to even T72s (as they prove in Iraq)
UK have about 500 Warriors, and what about 300 Challengers 1 from Jordan? Jordan is happy to replace it.
In Poland, there are still some 100 PT91 to go and what next? IF US provide us with replacement Abrams, 200 Leo 2 is ready to go. Sonner or later they WILL be gone as our tank force will be of Abrams and K2 (after 2025)
The truth is Russia has many things from cold war era, but the other side has that too. AND whats more important russia CANT outproduce west. They thought Europe will freeze this winter and what happened?
And look how many Ukrainian soldiers went abroad to train on something. You think they train for the 6 months in US, in UK, in Poland just how to shoot from handgun? I dont think so