"Russian Army Logistics Explained" Topic

Best explainer I've found so far--railroads <> highways.

YouTube link

Meanwhile, Russian flatbed rail cars are carrying an eclectic array of civilian vehicles to the front, already marked with the invasion "Z."

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And finally, something we call all agree is good news:

"Kyiv Zoo animals saved! They did it guys! All of them are alive! 8 hrs of exams in the frost people & animals are exhausted. "We fear for the old tiger, 50 other species and 1 lion. They are waiting until they can finally set off for Poznan, Poland. #Ukraine #WarriorsForAnimals t.co/8hymFOuwOF "

(I'd trade away all of the animals in a heartbeat to get all of the children clear of one section of Kyiv, but it's still good.)

the world would be a better place if the animals had eaten Noah and his family!!

Russian corruption extends to the army and its suppliers.

There are reports that the army is finding munitions 'missing' from warehouses – never there? sold off by some oligarch?

Vehicles and weapons falling apart because nobody paid for maintenance.

The increased military budget after the Georgia War may have just gone into the pockets of the oligarchs. No sign of improvement in the armed forces.

The US has shown it can read Russian military communications 'at will'. This seems to be causing paralysis among the Russian commanders, afraid to plan because it might leak out.

So many mysteries. The convoy going nowhere. The missing Russian air force. The missing Russian drones. Not looking good for Russia.

You really have to wonder why. Either the news is mostly propaganda and things are going just fine for Russia or they really did launch an attack that revealed that Russia's military has fallen to lows not seen since the Russo-Japanese War.

Why? Corruption, Putin having some bizarre plan we haven't divined yet? A military that just doesn't want to fight this war? Things seem off, since Russian gear is nothing to sneeze at, and Russian soldiers can be very capable.

"There are reports that the army is finding munitions 'missing' from warehouses – never there? sold off by some oligarch?"

If that's the case, there are going to be some 'missing' oligarchs… :-o

There is also this video about the tyres used by the softskins.
YouTube link
Some of the comments are interesting too.

Kleptocrats gotta klepto.

Meanwhile, Russian flatbed rail cars are carrying an eclectic array of civilian vehicles to the front, already marked with the invasion "Z."

Assuming its nothing to do with this plan TMP link
Replacing military vehicle losses with civilian even if only in rear areas sounds like a recipe for even more disaster. And I'm sure some Russian infantry will be mightily cheered to discover they have to carry out security patrols in a potentially hostile country in a mini-van!

Cheap Chinese tires left too long in the sun.

Who say's lowest bidder procurement is a bad idea? Providing your on the other side!

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Well I'm certainly glad to see the Zoo animals were evac'd ! I like most animals better than most people.

Russia's Log/Maint. capabilities seem very amateurish at best. As does their execution of modern mobile combined arms warfare. Which is good for Ukraine. But how long can they withstand Russian numbers and firepower albeit very poorly used? Or used to commit war crimes …

Well, literally just on the radio, a Ukrainian reporter was saying that Ukrainian troops have been able to push Russian troops back in some areas with relative ease due to their lack of supplies and low morale. I assume their own lack of vehicles and supplies would seriously restrict the Ukrainian's ability to take any serious strategic advantage of this.

I confess that I'm beginning to see a path to a direct Ukrainian victory--and the prospect is dumbfounding and glorious.

I've see the above links previously on Russian logistical doctrine and the "Chinese tires" possibility, which are all hopeful, but the key feature is still the fighting spirit of the Ukrainians themselves.

The "curated" videos at funker350, frequently with sound (and translations) of the chatter between their soldiers--and even the enemy!--sound not simply like men grimly fighting a desperate battle, but men smelling victory and swelling with self confidence--even a Joie de combatre.

It may be that when the war is over, some (I'm speaking to Cuprum 2 if he's lurking) will say the Russians lost because of the sheer amount of Western weaponry poured into the country, and they'd be right that it's critically needed.

But no weapon ever won a war.

It's just a bunch of parts, large or small, that just lies in a wooden crate, indifferent and, afterwards, likely to be thrown away.

It's the man who picks it up, willing to risk his life to shoulder it, who applies his knowledge, discipline, and coolness to direct it at the enemy who fights and wins wars.

The Russians have some very sophisticated weapons, and in no small numbers, but what we are not seeing is that same man making use of it.

A Ukrainian victory--even if it only comes at the end of an insurgency under occupation--will still be that of the people themselves.

This is a lesson more governments need to understand--and I am speaking to our country where clearly too many would rather be Red than Dead.

TVAG

"I assume their own lack of vehicles and supplies would seriously restrict the Ukrainian's ability to take any serious strategic advantage of this."

First, I'm not sure if the Ukrainian armed forces are so low on vehicles and supplies that they can't take advantage.

Second: Dien Bien Phu

Second: Dien Bien Phu

Well, if the Ukrainian's were to sever and isolate one of the major Russian thrusts, such as in the south of the country. All bets might well be off.

My assumption about Ukraine's position is based on what they've said and what's appeared in our media previously. Its entirely possible they've got some mobile reserves to hand, but I guess they wouldn't really be flagging that fact!

I did see one video, funker sourced, that seems to show some Russian AFVs tearing down a road. They see a BDRM on a war memorial and just blaze away at it until they've gone past. Twitchy, very twitchy.

I don't suppose it should be a massive surprise to anyone that the basics, such as motivated soldiers and proper logistical support are key to a successful military operation. Though I'm guessing many academics, staff officers, experts and analysts will be treating that as some kind of divine revelation once this is all over and defence departments the world over absorb the lessons.

"I did see one video, funker sourced, that seems to show some Russian AFVs tearing down a road. They see a BDRM on a war memorial and just blaze away at it until they've gone past. Twitchy, very twitchy."

That would be a brilliant ambush position. Mix a live tank into a war memorial …

I have no idea what was going on but frankly given the rate they seemed to moving at I was almost surprised they even saw it. Looked like they thought they were playing console World of Tanks Modern Warfare (people who play may know what I'm talking about)!

push Russian troops back in some areas with relative ease due to their lack of supplies and low morale.

That seems to be true. Russia's military performance is poor or less at best.

I'm not sure if the Ukrainian armed forces are so low on vehicles and supplies that they can't take advantage.

The Ukrainian Military was much better off today than 2014. For now with all the supplies coming in from all over the world is giving them a fighting along with what they have on hand. Plus it is their home turf they are fighting for.

Russia's numbers may be telling. But they certainly don't have the forces to hold many things. And the country is bigger than Texas. They will try to depopulate as they know they don't want to send forces into MOUT in Kyiv, etc. They will use all their firepower, e.g. FA, CAS, missiles, etc. to try to do so much damage that the Ukraine will have to surrender.

The Ukrainians will continue to attrite the Russians. In the hope they will see the futility of the invasion. And go home. But it seems Putin and those like him in his gov't are willing to take heavy losses to their ill trained and ill motivated military. Putin is even trying to get some Syrians attached to his army. Not sure if they are up to the task, based on their performance in their own backyard. However, this may demonstrate they are taking unsustainable losses?

It's logical that Putin & co., as all of their same kind/mold, are willing to sacrifice others' people lives to achieve their goals,after all they aren't on the front lines. Mussolini made a similar mistake when declared war against the (supposly) defeated allies, then look how ended….Putin could've achieved Crimea, at least before 2014,with diplomatic and economical gains for the disastrate Ukrainian economy, now all that has gained is a new enemy, tha NATO countries that will pour money in the defense,all Russia's neighbours (except Belarus)will arm themselves to the teeths, and at the end he don't know if this gambit will worth the candle.

Parallel is Italian invasion of Greece, but no Hitler available to ride to rescue (unwillingly).

No one will rescue Putin and his forces. But Xi will front him some $ he may need for his "empire" …

Oboronservis is a private company set up to run Russian Army logistics. This happened in about 2008 I think. It has been linked to scandals and corruption for stealing equipment and misappropriating funds in 2013. This involved the downfall of the Russian Minister of Defence and outrage in Russian at the luxury in which he kept his mistress. It must have been outrageous as even TASS reported it at the time.