Here we go again-Ukraine once again pt2

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Artillery shells or not, Both sides have gone through barrels with little in the form of replacements. I just don’t see the massive barrages we witnessed at the out set of hostilities ever happening again by either side. This is a battle of meat waves.

https://lookerstudio.google.com/repo...xqnmzwwv0c?s=t

A howitzer barrel usually is good for a few thousand shots before its steel becomes brittle or bends. If an artillery battery doesn’t replace worn-out barrels in time, it risks catastrophic accidents as shells explode inside their guns. Around Avdiivka, Bakhmut or Krynky, Russian artillery batteries might need to replace their barrels every couple of months. Technicians are yanking the barrels off the old towed guns and using them as a replacement for worn-out barrels on the most important self-propelled howitzers. The Russians are cannibalizing their towed artillery in order to keep their self-propelled artillery in action, with Ukraine destroying daily artillery at a high rate with cheap drones it is the question of how long Russia has barrels in stock or production to shoot those millions of shells.

[Jimbuna]

Ukraine, Turkiye, Russia negotiated on navigation in Black Sea - Reuters

Ukraine was considering the possibility of signing an agreement to ensure the security of navigation in the Black Sea. Such negotiations allegedly took place between Kyiv, Moscow, and Ankara over two months, according to Reuters.

Reuters states that the parties reached an agreement on the text, which was supposed to be announced by Turkiye, but Ukraine suddenly refused, according to four unnamed individuals familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters. They also noted that last month, there was almost a Russian-Ukrainian agreement on navigation in the Black Sea.

According to Reuters' sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of such negotiations, they were conducted through the mediation of Turkiye after a push from the UN.
The agreement, reached in March, concerned ensuring the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea. It is also noted that while Ukraine did not want to officially sign it, Kyiv agreed for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to announce it on March 30, on the eve of regional elections, sources told the Western agency.

"At the very last minute, Ukraine suddenly pulled out and the deal was scuttled," one of the sources is quoted as saying.

The Reuters material also adds that three more interlocutors confirmed this version of events. Ukraine, Russia, and Turkiye have not commented on this media report.
After Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal in July last year, a special maritime corridor was created, including for the protection of grain coming from ports. According to the Ukrainian Navy, the corridor's operation had already reached full capacity before Russia's full-scale invasion.

As previously stated by the Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Major General, Kyrylo Budanov, constant attacks on the Russian fleet allowed it to be displaced to the southeast and to restore navigation. The northern part is controlled by Ukraine.

In December last year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that he saw no point in restoring the grain deal.

Additionally, in December, the Minister of National Defense of Turkey, Yaşar Güler, stated that his country continues efforts to activate the Black Sea grain initiative.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...31ecc8ff&ei=25

[Dargo]

[Jimbuna]

Russia could outgun Ukraine 10 to 1 in a matter of weeks, US general says

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, many people thought it was a matter of weeks for the Kyiv government to fall. The country’s resilience has been admirable, but is not enough to win the war.

General Christopher Cavoli, head of the US European Command and the highest-ranking American military commander in Europe, has revealed that Ukraine could be outgunned ten to one in a matter of weeks.

According to AP News, Cavoli informed about the dire situation to the US Congress in early April, requesting further assistance.

“They are now being outshot by the Russian side five to one,” argued the head of the American troops in Europe to the US Congress. “So the Russians fire five times as many artillery shells at the Ukrainians than the Ukrainians are able to fire back”.

“That will immediately go to 10 to one in a matter of weeks,” Cavoli warned, adding that “we’re not talking about months. We’re not talking hypothetically.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...31ecc8ff&ei=29

[Dargo]

IMF expects Ukrainian economy to grow by 3.2% in 2024, by 6.5% in 2025

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 3.2% in 2024 and by up to 6.5% in 2025 even as the country continues to grapple with the full-scale invasion. Around the same time last year, the IMF initially estimated a 3% decline in Ukraine's GDP in 2023 before publishing a forecast of an improved growth of 2% by the end of the year.

The 2024 World Economic Outlook report also includes data on changes in the country's consumer prices, which are expected to increase 6.4% in 2024 and 7.6% in 2025. Ukraine's unemployment is projected to decrease slightly between 2024 and 2025. Russia's invasion caused a major hit to Ukraine's economy, which suffered a whopping 29.1% fall in GDP in 2022. The economy stabilized faster than expected in 2023 due to several successful government programs as well as international support.

Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said earlier this year that the country would need $3 billion in financial aid monthly to cope with increased economic pressures. The country received $42.5 billion in external financing last year, but continued delays in U.S. assistance could make Ukraine's economic stability more unpredictable. https://kyivindependent.com/imf-ukrainian-economy/

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by Dargo

IMF expects Ukrainian economy to grow by 3.2% in 2024, by 6.5% in 2025

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 3.2% in 2024 and by up to 6.5% in 2025 even as the country continues to grapple with the full-scale invasion. Around the same time last year, the IMF initially estimated a 3% decline in Ukraine's GDP in 2023 before publishing a forecast of an improved growth of 2% by the end of the year.

The 2024 World Economic Outlook report also includes data on changes in the country's consumer prices, which are expected to increase 6.4% in 2024 and 7.6% in 2025. Ukraine's unemployment is projected to decrease slightly between 2024 and 2025. Russia's invasion caused a major hit to Ukraine's economy, which suffered a whopping 29.1% fall in GDP in 2022. The economy stabilized faster than expected in 2023 due to several successful government programs as well as international support.

Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said earlier this year that the country would need $3 billion in financial aid monthly to cope with increased economic pressures. The country received $42.5 billion in external financing last year, but continued delays in U.S. assistance could make Ukraine's economic stability more unpredictable. https://kyivindependent.com/imf-ukrainian-economy/

Dude, I’m getting tired of beggars. Ukraine’s independence was 1991 they had over thirty years to build an economy and defense strategy and instead are now complaining while waiting around for someone else to come in and save the day. You might want to take lessons from Israel and quit acting like a bunch of two year olds. Arms production, conscription age should have lowered and training should have began a long time ago. But I have a sneaking suspicion why this didn’t or maybe even couldn’t happen and would open up a whole new can of worms by discussing what 80 % of Ukrainians think Zelensky isn’t working hard enough to solve. You need 3 billion more a month? Then either put your heart into the effort of defending your homeland and end it, or go out and get a job.

[mapuc]

I fully understand why many Americans are tired of sending weapon and ammo aids to Europe.

Europe should in combination be stronger military than USA and stronger than Russia.

Almost every country in Europe is a member of NATO.

It's like we don't wanna learn, 'cause there's always USA to help us.

Markus

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by mapuc

I fully understand why many Americans are tired of sending weapon and ammo aids to Europe.

Europe should in combination be stronger military than USA and stronger than Russia.

Almost every country in Europe is a member of NATO.

It's like we don't wanna learn, 'cause there's always USA to help us.

Markus

NATO members pull their weight, Israel pulls its weight, Japan pulls it weight, South Korea pulls its weight, Germany was smacked economically absorbing the East and even they pull their weight, Australia, U.K. the list goes on. We all make mistakes, have problems with our economy and defense posture but we manage. But we dont sit around for thirty years doing nothing about it.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

NATO members pull their weight, Israel pulls its weight, Japan pulls it weight, South Korea pulls its weight, Germany was smacked economically absorbing the East and even they pull their weight, Australia, U.K. the list goes on. We all make mistakes, have problems with our economy and defense posture but we manage. But we dont sit around for thirty years doing nothing about it.

You're right why haven't they done something them self the Ukrainians
Maybe they thought they were protected by us through the Budapest Memorandum

Yes most of the NATO members pull their weight, what I tried to say is:

NATO Europe saying to USA-We take care of this you just sit tight

Markus

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by mapuc

Maybe they thought they were protected by us through the Budapest Memorandum

Well, they should have known better, the memorandum is a pretty easy read. Only someone who has never read it would believe they were owed a percentage of our GDP, military hardware and protection.

Don’t get me wrong I support Ukraine’s endeavors Im just so sick and tired of the articles from the likes of the Kiev independent and their politicians thinking they’re owed something. IMO it’s just a distraction from their own ineptitude and corruption.

Something they should have done a long time ago was to mobilize, train and arm, but for over thirty years they sat there like a bump on a log. Hell, even now they’ve been hesitant to mobilize. Now I get to see articles out of Ukraine placing blame for everything that’s gone wrong on U.S. political parties. Continuing with THAT kind of b.s. is a sure way to lose my support.

[August]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Dude, I’m getting tired of beggars. Ukraine’s independence was 1991 they had over thirty years to build an economy and defense strategy and instead are now complaining while waiting around for someone else to come in and save the day.

You know Rockstar that's a pretty harsh statement. The Ukrainian people are not sitting around waiting for anything, they are fighting and dying for their country by the tens of thousands in an unequal battle against a powerful and cruel invader who wants to steal their homes and enslave their people.

When the USSR fell they ended up with the ultimate trump card against invasion, nuclear weapons. No nuclear armed nation has ever been successfully invaded, but WE promised to protect them if they gave them up in the name of "peace and stability".

Now people like you call them beggars and worse just because they are asking us to partially keep that promise and give them a few pennies worth of old ammo and gear.

[Reece]

^ Agree!

[Skybird]

Its also that Ukrainians try to fight back at pro-Russians in their middle since much longer than just 2022. They chased the Yanukovich regime away avfter it let down its mask, and already back then blood was shed. Since 2014 they are at war. And they must try to get along in a deeply corrupted state where criminal scum had hijacked the state and lobbied for its own interest. Not the easiest task to get along if you must at the same time care for your family and bring some money home.

They made mistakes, they hesitated too long, yes, Rockstar, but the fact that they are anti-Russian as an independent fact makes it worthwhile for us to support them. Else Russia would knock not on their doors, but ours. Zelenskji'S government is not without its faults, so is the man himself. But show me any government that is, including yours or ours.


If Russia triumphs in Ukraine, and I see it coming that it will, then they will not stop making music, just shift the party further westward.

[Jimbuna]

Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of April 17

Ukrainian military repelled 20 enemy attacks in the Novopavlivka direction, held positions, and repelled assaults by Russian forces in the Kherson direction. Missile troops struck at the area of concentration of enemy personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russian shelling

During the past day, there have been 68 combat engagements. Overall, the enemy delivered 2 missile strikes and 64 aviation strikes and carried out 75 shelling attacks with rocket artillery systems on the positions of our troops and populated areas.

As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, unfortunately, there are casualties and injuries among the civilian population.

The following locations were subjected to airstrikes:
・Popivka, Vozdvizhenska in the Sumy region;

・Zolochiv, Veseloye, Volokhivka, Hlushkivka, Kolisnykivka, Berestove in theKharkiv region;

・Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region;

・Terni, Zarichne, Verkhniokamianske, Chasiv Yar, Spirne, Novokalynove, Berdychi, Semenivka, Pervomaiske, Soloviove, Bila Hora, Novobakhmutivka, Oleksandrivka, Antonivka, Kostiantynivka, Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region;

・Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region;

・Berislav, Odradokamianka, Kozatske in the Kherson region.

Over 110 populated areas in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions were under artillery fire.

Frontline situation

In theVolyn and Polissya directions, the operational situation remains relatively unchanged.

In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy maintains a military presence in border areas, conducts sabotage activities to prevent the redeployment of our troops to threatened directions, and increases the density of mine-explosive barriers along the state border.

In theKupiansk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked the positions of our defenders in the areas of Terni, Torske, and Hryhorivka in the Donetsk region, as well as the Serebrianske Forestry Area in the Luhansk region, nine times.

In the Bakhmut direction, our soldiers repelled 19 attacks in the areas of the settlements of Verkhniokamianske, Vyiimka, Bilohorivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, and Klishchiivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy, supported by aviation, tried to improve their tactical position.

In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 11 attacks in the areas of the settlements of Ocheretyne, Novokalynove, Berdychi, Semenivka, Netailove, and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region.

In the Novopavlivka direction, the Defense Forces continued to hold back the enemy in the areas of the settlements of Krasnohorivka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy attempted 20 times to break through the defense of our troops.

In the Orikhiv direction, the enemy attacked the positions of our defenders four times in the areas of the settlements of Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region, Robotyne, and northwest of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region.

In the Kherson direction, the enemy is not giving up on its intention to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro. During the past day, the enemy made 5 unsuccessful attacks on our troops' positions.

At the same time, our soldiers continue active operations to inflict casualties on the occupation forces in personnel and equipment, exhausting the enemy along the entire line of contact.

Enemy losses

During the past day, the Air Force struck 6 areas of enemy personnel concentration and 2 command posts.

Missile forces units targeted 1 area of enemy personnel concentration.

The total number of losses in the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion is 455,340 military personnel.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...0b9e93d5&ei=43

[Jimbuna]