Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Changing Army Culture #3, Shkolny Hit, VKS, & Alga Volunteer
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Table of Contents 📖
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"The basic training for Ukrainian infantry soldiers today is limited and well below that of any Western country. It is much less than that given to soldiers in previous wars. It's vastly less than what's received by Kiev metro drivers or teachers, for example."
Hello Team!
Jonathan provides an update on the war in Ukraine, focusing on some extra "tidbits and nuggets" not covered in his earlier frontline update. He has a cup of tea ready to go.
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Russian Air Force Expansion Plans
- Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu announced plans to increase the size of Russia's air defence forces in 2023, including:
- Forming a new air defence division and brigade
- Forming a special purpose air defence missile brigade
- Forming a new anti-aircraft missile regiment with S-350 systems
- Forming a military transport aviation regiment
- Completing modernisation of Moscow's air defence systems
- The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says Russia is unlikely to achieve this within several years due to:
- Historical delays in developing advanced air defence systems
- Strict sanctions and resource constraints from the war
- Shoigu also claimed 90% of Russian pilots have combat experience from over 140,000 sorties flown in Ukraine
- The ISW believes Shoigu's announcement is intended to reassure Russians that their military is still developing as a world-class power, to offset perceptions of failure in Ukraine
- Jonathan is sceptical Russia can deliver, calling it "all fart and no poo" and compares it to China's vague peace plan
Russia Cracking Down on Bars
- Russian authorities have shut down two dozen bars in St. Petersburg, claiming it is to stop minors engaging in drinking, drugs and vagrancy
- However, the FSB raided two popular bars and forced patrons to conduct pro-war activities
- This is likely targeting wealthy businessmen like Yevgeny Prigozhin who may own some bars
- It encourages self-censorship by publicly displaying consequences of speaking out against the war
- Jonathan rants about the hypocrisy of pro-Russian voices attacking censorship in Europe/US while ignoring Russia's authoritarian crackdown on free speech and alternate voices
Satellite Images of Destroyed Ukrainian Settlements
- Satellite images show how Russia has completely destroyed Ukrainian settlements in Donbas
- Trees are stripped bare and buildings reduced to rubble
- Ukraine Battle Map calls this "Russian terrorism against innocent civilians"
- A recent report estimated the war has cost Ukraine $140 billion, including the monetary value of destroyed forests
- Jonathan calls it an "ecological disaster" that will take a long time to recover from
Alga Volunteer Battalion Member Speaks Out
- A volunteer from Tatarstan's Alga battalion spoke about his experiences fighting in Ukraine
- His unit was almost completely destroyed near Vuhledar and he suffered a traumatic brain injury from an exploding projectile
- He described the difficulty of fighting against Ukrainian drones, artillery and thermal imaging cameras
- Volunteers were paid well (over $2500/month) but had to buy their own equipment and received less than promised
- Their weapons were antiquated and unreliable - only 1 of their 10 combat vehicles remained operational
- After leaving due to injury, he and other volunteers now face prosecution for "desertion" as Putin's mobilisation order overrides their contracts
- The volunteer says Alga and other battalions were virtually wiped out in "human wave" attacks on Vuhledar in early 2023
- He criticises the lack of reconnaissance and says "When I watch TV now, I feel like spitting" as the heavy losses are not reported
Missile/Drone Attack on Shkolny Airfield, Odesa
- Jonathan admits he did not look deeply enough into claims about an attack on Shkolny airfield near Odesa
- There are contradictory claims from Ukrainian and Russian sources about what happened
- Shkolny is an airbase where Ukraine launches drones to attack Crimea, so this seems to be Russian retaliation
- 2 of 4 incoming missiles/drones hit a building at the airfield, killing 2 and wounding 4
- Claims vary on whether the building was a monastery dormitory or housed Ukrainian military
- Other unverified claims say a Ukrainian MiG-29 was destroyed on the ground
- Both sides appear to be pushing propaganda narratives so the truth is unclear
- Jonathan promises to provide an update if any new information comes to light
Changing Army Culture to Improve Ukrainian Forces (Part 3)
In the third part of an article by British Lt Col Glen Grant on reforming Ukraine's military culture, the following key points are made: Kill Bureaucracy
- A new law is needed to prioritise saving lives over following bureaucratic rules
- Example given of drones purchased abroad being delayed 4 weeks awaiting MOD signature, costing soldiers' lives
- Processes need to be sped up to a maximum 12 hour turnaround time
Training and Education
- Focused training at all levels is vital to improve soldiering quality and save lives
- No one should deploy to battle without proper training
- Claims some Ukrainian reserves recently deployed to defend Bakhmut with minimal training in order to preserve forces for counteroffensives
- Basic training for Ukrainian infantry is very limited compared to Western militaries, and even less than Kiev metro drivers or teachers receive
- Courses need to be longer, more comprehensive and tougher, with foreign support
- Soldiers need to learn all infantry weapons, battle drills, urban/rural tactics, mine awareness, night fighting etc.
- Simply need to recruit soldiers earlier to have more time for training
- Officers and NCOs seem to come from "different armies" with Soviet, NATO or improvised doctrines
- Many platoons led by ill-prepared sergeants or just the best soldier available
- If leaders can't be removed for training, doctrine and tactics guides should be put online to read in quiet moments
- Ukraine needs a unified school and doctrine for junior officer training so all units use the same systems
Wrap Up
Jonathan says he has a few more parts of Glen Grant's article to cover in future videos. He thanks viewers for their support and asks them to like, subscribe and share the video. He signs off with "Toodlepips!"
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