gridlore: Army Infantry school shield over crossed infantry rifles (Army Infantry)
[personal profile] gridlore
One thing I'm really starting to notice in the reports coming out of Ukraine is the effects of kleptocracy on the Russian military units. Vehicles have inadequate tires, haven't been maintained or moved for perhaps years, soldiers' equipment is substandard, and their rations are years past their shelf life.

Corruption in the Russian defense structure has led to what we are seeing, the Hollow Legions effect. Armor crews that don't know how to operate their vehicles, equipment failing. . .that infamous column north of Kyiv is immobile because not only have most of the units run out of gas, many vehicles are simply falling apart and there are no mechanics or spare parts available.

When I was in the 3/7th (Cottonbalers, By God!) we spent endless days at the motor pool doing PMCS (Preventive Maintenence, checks, and Services) on our tracks until every man in the squad could fix minor issues. We all knew how to break track and repair a broken tread. We were infantrymen who knew that our -113 was our taxi and shelter, and it was up to us to keep it in fighting trim.

The Russians don't have that. Instead, I'm sure that many officers and apparatchiki have very nice dachas and imported cars, as well as hidden bank accounts. But they've left a hollow army that can barely fight.

Date: 5 Mar 2022 00:34 (UTC)
dewline: Text - "On the DEWLine" (Default)
From: [personal profile] dewline
All of this will likely help Ukraine to save itself in the longer haul. For now?

One other question: how seriously and properly informed would you say this particular Twitter thread might be?

https://twitter.com/TrentTelenko/status/1499894935209795594
Edited Date: 5 Mar 2022 01:39 (UTC)

Date: 5 Mar 2022 04:51 (UTC)
conuly: (Default)
From: [personal profile] conuly
..did they seriously plan an invasion and a quick war of conquest without first checking that their equipment was up to spec? Who even does that?

Date: 5 Mar 2022 07:20 (UTC)
freyjaw: (space navy)
From: [personal profile] freyjaw
Nutters with ego issues?

Date: 5 Mar 2022 15:45 (UTC)
dewline: Text - "On the DEWLine" (Default)
From: [personal profile] dewline
Exactly that!

Was talking about this with spouse this AM

Date: 7 Mar 2022 01:01 (UTC)
ng_moonmoth: The Moon-Moth (Default)
From: [personal profile] ng_moonmoth
Said it could be characterized as a Potemkin army. Tell me, does the Glorious Leader still parade his supposed military might through Red Square every so often?

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gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (Default)
Douglas Berry

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