If you are a sports fan you know the feeling of showing up for the big game, say the Super Bowl or the World Series, and counting on your team to beat the crap out of the opponent. But once the game is underway, your team gets clobbered mercilessly. At the start of the second half, your team is down 40 points, or it is the 7th inning and your guys are looking at a 14 run deficit.
What do you do? Be honest. Do you sit there and continue cheering? Or do you pack up and leave or switch the channel to watch Downton Abbey or Black List or hell, even Oprah? Normal people pull the plug. Yes, there are always a smattering of die hard fanatics who hang on to the bitter end, but most folks beat feet for the exit.
Welcome to Ukraine. Their team, er, I mean their army is getting shellacked with no let up in sight. A story in RT captures the mood:
Ukrainians appear to be losing unity amid military defeats in the Donbass and the economic crisis in the rest of the country. The surge of patriotism that arose when the Russian army was close to Kiev appears now, in the last days of May, to have been exhausted. Along with it, the national consensus that saw all political groups rallying behind the Ukrainian army, rather than struggling against President Volodomyr Zelensky seems to have disappeared. . . .
The withdrawal of Russian troops from areas around Kiev, Chernigov, and Sumy, completed by April 3, was seen as a significant victory for the Ukrainian authorities. The removal of the threat from the capital made it possible to return diplomatic institutions, organize the visits of foreign delegations to the sites of past battles, and convince NATO countries that Ukraine would be able to withstand the war against Russia if it received more serious weapons.
All this was presented to Ukrainians as laying the groundwork for preparing a counteroffensive in Kharkov, Kherson, and the Donbass. In addition, a favorite carrot was brought out – promises of early accession to the European Union, bypassing existing norms – as payment for heroism and Ukraine taking up the banner of “Europe’s Shield.” The mood in Ukrainian society was positive. The Russian army had already been stopped. It remained only to wait for Western help, and it would be possible to take revenge for 2014, when Moscow reabsorbed Crimea.
Meanwhile, foreign aid was flowing in, but it did not bring relief to Ukraine. It proved effective only in supporting refugees in countries free from Ukraine’s corruption and cronyism. As for the military component, by the end of May, it turned out that the requested artillery and air defense systems were not enough to defeat Russia, and it was necessary to boost the army’s ranks to one million.
The vast majority of folks reading this blog have no living memory of the start of World War II for the United States. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 flipped a switch in the American public, turning them from masses demanding the United States stay out of Europe’s war to a populace seething with anger and dedicated to punishing Japan. Throngs of young men flocked to recruiting stations. Many of those deemed not fit for military service committed suicide, wrongfully feeling shamed that they could not fight for their country.
That spirit did not waver despite continued setbacks in the first four months of 1942. But then came the Battle of the Coral Sea followed by the triumph at Midway followed by Guadalcanal. Victories on the battlefield and the Pacific Ocean gave Americans glimmers of hope that the crusade to conquer Japan and Germany would succeed. Most Americans do not know that while Pearl Harbor was being bombed, the Soviet Union stopped the advance of the Nazis on Moscow.
Compare that time with what is going on in Ukraine now. Apart from Russia retreating from Kiev in March–the Ukrainians believe they beat the Russians back while Russia appears to have used the operation to fix Ukrainian forces in the west so that they could focus on the Donbas and southern coast of Ukraine–Ukraine has experienced regular loss of territory and horrific casualties. Some estimates indicate that for every Russian killed or wounded, Ukrainian troops are suffering 20 times the losses.
There has been no organized offensive campaign by Ukraine. I am talking about battalions moving with armored columns to attack and decimate Russian positions and push them back. At least Hitler’s Nazis tried to save Von Paulus’ forces at Stalingrad in December 1942 (that failed). When Ukrainian neo-Nazis were surrounded at Mariupol, Ukraine completely failed to mount any kind of land based offensive to save them.
So, on the macro level, Ukrainians are normal people and have no real victories to celebrate and kindle hope that they will prevail. On the micro level, i.e. the battlefield in Donbas, the news is even more grim. Entrenched troops are experiencing continued artillery and missile attacks. It is not only the devastating effects of the explosions tearing up earth and men, the noise and blast waves rattle the brains and souls of those on the receiving end of the Russian offensive. Yes, some Ukrainian units are able to fire artillery rounds into Russian lines and on civilians in cities like Donetsk. But these efforts are not changing the dynamic on the battlefield.
Ukrainian men are voting with their feet. Unlike the American youth who besieged U.S. military recruiting stations, Ukraine’s youngsters are being forcibly pressed to “join up”. Many are fleeing Ukraine for safety in Europe. As I noted in a previous post (see UPDATED PIECE on Ukrainian Troops Rebelling), Ukrainians with the territorial defense are rebelling and being charged with desertion. We are not talking about isolated units, this revolt is widespread.
Unlike boxing, where there is a referee who can step in and stop a fight, this war of attrition will not end until the Ukrainian army surrenders or Ukrainian political leaders come to their senses and seek an end to Russia’s “special military operation.” As long as Russia maintains its control of the air space and its ability to shell relentlessly the entrenched Ukrainian forces, the grinder will go on and Ukraine’s bargaining chips will be shredded and worthless.
Andrei Martyanov’s piece on the U.S. and NATO coming to grips with this reality is worth your time if you have not already read it.
Now Biden is throwing Zelensky under the bus. I’m not a fan of the latter but this is disgusting. Biden is like a mafia Don: loyal only to his own blood. He is despicable.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/biden-says-zelensky-didn-t-want-to-hear-warnings-that-putin-would-invade-20220611-p5at0z.html
What the hell is on that laptop?
Mafia Dons actually have principles that they live by.
The Dems are closer to a pack of rabid hyenas.
Mafia Dons also have accountability. If they screw up, ignore the needs of the capos and soldiers, the capos take them out – as in shot dead. That reality encourages statesmanship and, generally, high quality management.
I found this quite good to take Zelensky a bit down from his pedestal.
in my circle of acquaintances , many people have a blind admiration for “the great Zelensky”.
Not realizing what he is doing to his country and his people.
Oprah, for sure. When she invites Austin Lloyd on the show…
Yes the zombies and NPCs have gone on to other things. In my neighborhood there were 5 houses in a row with blue and yellow banners on their mailboxes.
As of yesterday only one was left.
did you by any chance have anything to do with the removal of the other 4 flags ?
Any ideas on when we might see the end to industrial militant fascism instituted by your ex boss George Herbert Walker the IV, perpetuated by his spoilt rotten little punk as Texas shite of a son George Walker the V? Is this what your ancestors fought for in 1776? Where the US has been headed ever since George had Kennedy’s head blown off in that shit hole of a place called Dallas…
Hey Nancy, where’s all the money gone? Crooked Pelosi: like father like daughter; crooked to the marrow…
I wonder if the Ukrainian top military brass are getting a bit weary of Zelenskey, it might be best to replace him which I think would give them some maneuverability with the Russians. I think laying down their arms in The Donbass and evacuating from Odessa and that southeast region would be enough for the Russians to begin the peace process. It sure would save a lot of lives.
Zelensky is a comedian, right? Once he figures out the score, why wouldn’t he proclaim that he’s been severely deluded by the West, declare the war over, execute all the nazis, and put the armed forces of the Ukraine under Russian control, now – that would be funny.
he is a coward , he wont deviate from the script .. he is too scared to do anything to counter the narrative/
Would love to see that, Bill. And, yeah, it would be hilarious to watch the swampies’ heads explode over it. I think you’re right. It would be Z’s best move. My guess is that it would demonstrate untrustworthiness and fecklessness to all stakeholders and between Russia, the Nazis and the US, Z would be taken out soon enough.
So in an attempt to weaken Russia, the Ukrainian people and soldiers were used and abused by US/NATO as well as their own corrupt government. Now that the abysmal failure and ongoing destruction of Ukraine is evident to anyone who is sentient, the pathetic CYA and finger pointing shit show begins. The sorry fate of Ukraine should be a wake up call for any country that would think about being allied with the globalist controlled West.
However the countries in the West share a sorry fate as well. Does anyone think the Biden administration gives a damn about the American people with their endless transparent lies, economic and social destruction (or should I say “Disintegration” re Martyanov’s third book)? Is it really any different with Trudeau in Canada, Johnson in Briton, Macron in France etc? It is amazing how things can come full circle over time. One of the few countries that does give a damn about its own people is Russia, who is now stronger than ever!
Here’s a leading American historian I thought you might enjoy explaining why Ukraine is winning:https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-128-mission-command-natos?s=r
I wonder what drugs he is using?
LJ , a heads up , this dan berg troll also spammed nonsense in matraynov’s blog .. already been called out by regulars at smoothie’s site
Pure copium, aka ‘Brussels Marching Powder’
I know more than most about military stuff but I certainly don’t claim to be the most brilliant tactician or strategist. Having said that it was pretty clear to me (from the beginning) that Russia would achieve all or most of its Ukraine special military operation. I guess none of us have a crystal ball so there was/is always a chance that Russia could still fumble to use Larry’s sports analogy–but that is pretty unlikely.
As mentioned before, I don’t think Russia is showing its best military capabilities to all of NATO…if it is true that they are breaking out T-62 tanks from mothballs and deploying them to the UKR I just see that as perhaps another deception e.g. letting NATO see what Russia wants NATO to see…rest assured the NATO and Pentagon whiz kids will analyze the situation wrongly.
While I’m interested in the RUS-UKR conflict and its second and third order geopolitical effects, I am most concerned with what is going on in the good ole’ US of A–nothing good that’s for sure…I have a few Commander’s Critical Information Requirements I would sure like to have answers to:
– Mid term elections are only 6 months away…why is so quiet (election-wise) out there…usually the air waves are full of mid-term rheoric
– What is the tipping point for Americans…when do we say enough is enough…when gas is $10/gas…when law enforcement can’t respond to 911 calls because they’ve blown through their FY fuel budgets already?
– There is an immigrant invasion occurring along the US Southern border…does that bother anyone but me (sarcasm)
I could go on and on…I am an America first for Americans guy.
why you try to post fake facts ? the russia T62 are not for frontline combat in ukraine. It is to bolster the rear areas’s firepower where even a T55 would suffice. This is not tanks from mothball yard , they are already modified and prepared for syrian army.
Yes. I believe the T62s are for rear guard protection and peace keeping in the areas already captured by Russia. This is much like our own National Guards using old armor to quell domestic riots, etc.
Easy there…I didn’t post any false facts…read my sentence…it says “if” and merely cites a reference to T-62s in the link (https://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2022/06/another-no-shit-post.html) provided in the main article…read it.
“I know more than most about military stuff.”
Yo Valhall_Rising,
Its very suspicious when a commenter begins a comment with a swaggering brag about the level of their knowledge in re military stuff.
I’m gonna call your bluff:
You did not serve as a flag-rank officer or adjutant in JCS, nor did you graduate from NDU.
Heck, maybe NDU can graduate braggadocio’s today who are far removed from reality at the warfront. So, you are a pathetic troll sitting in the basement of mummy and daddy’s crib with a laptop for your daily dose of Milporn. You simply come across as a Hikikomori. Just give up already!
Wow…
I served 33 years in the Army…retired as a Colonel…how about you???
Vallhall_Rising,
Never doubted you.
People often label as “trolls” those with knowledge that doesn’t conform to their beliefs.
O-6, eh? Don’t know if I can believe that. The thing is that I’ve heard so much shuck and jive I’m jaded at this point. Hey son, I still serve and am older than you are. Tell you what, after reading through again your comment I did sense that you have a big burr in your saddle vis a vi the current trajectory that d.c. has the country on – an inverted ascension.
Btw, why would or should Russia show its capabilities to natostan? Why don’t I see the pissed-off US citizenry take back their country? Are they so
cowardly afraid of 101st Airborne and MRAP equipped police departments ruffling their feathers? Dang it, you guys got some really serious problems and a crash test dummy as Cinc. Man, y’all in a world of hurt.
You ask why is it quiet on the mid-term rhetoric? Please, maybe you should do a Staff Ride and write a report about the casualties and collateral damage in the country’s cities and towns. You got your work cut out for you, Colonel.
“Andrei Martyanov’s piece on the U.S. and NATO coming to grips with this reality is worth your time if you have not already read it.”
When the west failed to regime-change both belarus and kazhakstan ( which is the lynchpin of their ukraine strategy) the game is over. The fools in the west foolishly went ahead and told ukrops to start crossing russian redlines..
Not only the failure of regime change in belarus and khazakstan that doomed the whole ukraine adventure. The west after 4 years delay (of trump’s reign) they without thinking rushing to push ukraine adventure when the west US+EU at their WEAKEST economically. No nation ever won a war when they start at the bottom ladder of economic strength while their enemy (russia) at the top of both economic and military strength.
The result is pretty much predictable , the sanctions and russophobia from the west only boomeranged and hit at western economy without making a dent on russian economy.
Realizing that NATO military unable to contest the russian via military means (both conventional and nuclear) , they are doing the neccesary song-and-dance by sending obsolete NATO weapons in piece-meal fashiong as token of support.
Even the immense Narrative Shaping IO from the west burned itself out when the ground truth emerges and cannot be hidden by fake propaganda.
i just hope russian govt have the courage to finish ukraine and not leaving it to the west
While you many good things to say, I am going to critique this, “No nation ever won a war when they start at the bottom ladder of economic strength “. The US was in terrible economic condition at the dawn of WW2. It was the industrialization for the war itself that brought the US back to some level of prosperity. So it is possible *if* the government has a plan to put the economy to work for a war effort. Of course, the US – both Democrats and Republicans, except Trump – have no plan to get the economy for a war effort or any other reason. The appear to have been unable to figure out the economic impacts of the actions; and still are. Worse, they almost seem intent on destroying the economy. That is the problem; not the state of the economy at the beginning of this Ukraine/Russia situation. Getting the US economy back on line and booming would be a near no brainer if the desire was there and a cohesive plan could be developed.