"Why no Ukrainian attacks in Russia?" Topic

There has to be a number of strategic targets in Russia such as staging areas, supply depots, refineries, bridges, power stations etc. Hitting these targets would severely impact Russian offensive operations.

I suspect that the Ukrainian special forces have the capability to hit at least some of these targets.

My question to the TMP readers is why haven't they?

My speculation is that they haven't because they have been asked by others (NATO/US?) not to hit these targets and risk expanding the war. This request could have been backed up by threats to limit military aid.

Another possible reason could be that the Ukrainians don't want to play into any narrative where Russia is seen as a victim.

Another possible reason could be that the Ukrainians don't want to play into any narrative where Russia is seen as a victim.

I think that's probably it, plus the difficulty in identifying and getting to targets in Russia when they have a hard enough time running AS and CAS missions in Ukraine as it is.

Ukraine have made some statements suggesting they have moles within elements of the Russian state. Plus a chunk of at least the metropolitan population in Russia is against the war. Why cause damage that might force some of them into a more patriotic mode of thought? Financially Russia is falling to its knees so I'm not sure anything the UKrainian's could do would reasonably make things any worse. Even China is starting to look a little cool towards Russia – something of a shift in the State media on the reporting of the war apparently. Strategic targets like rail hubs are probably in the too difficult category. Though I'm sure they would like to foul up Russia's rail network or at least the bits running towards Ukraine.

I asked this question earlier in the war in another thread. Hitting soft targets in Russia. Maybe they haven't because of the reasons given. My thoughts are as things get more brutal and this lasts longer, it will happen. If nothing else, a Ukrainian will just do it for personal vengeance for loss of loved ones.

In a slightly different vein I asked a friend who knows a ting or two about crypto warfare why the Russians have not done more than they have? He said a large amount of that is farmed out and many of their formed employees were Ukrainians? Just putting it out there. Hope someone can clear that up. Butler county base of the 35th OVI. H

I think not attacking Russian assets in Russia as noted would only play into Putin's agenda, etc.

IMO, the Ukrainian Forces are still outnumbered. They have to prioritize targets in Ukraine. So, using ammo is probably being wisely used/prioritized. As well as other assets, e.g. Infantry, tanks, etc. Their immediate tasks are to defend their homeland. And as reports say they are even able to make limited small counterattacks.

No matter what they do, don't help Putin's disinformation and propaganda. This is another modern war being fought not only on the battlefield but in the media worldwide.

I'm amazed they haven't attacked the political establishment in Moscow.

Given the attacks on civilians and genocide, seems like it is long overdue.

Yes home to their first commander, ferdinand van derveer. Men of the unit came from many of the surrounding counties, including Preble and Montgomery as well as Butler. As did all of us who were originally part of the group that made up our unit.

The Ukrainians did hit a Russian airbase at the start of the war with ballistic missiles, knocked out two aircraft. They probably don't have any more missiles now.

The Ukrainian military has threatened a counter-offensive out of Kharkhiv across the border, but that might just be a bluff.

Officially, there is no war. Neither Moscow declared war on Kiev, nor Kyiv declared war on Moscow.

Right now I think the Ukrainians are fighting just to survive. It does appear that the Russians are failing. If
this continues I would not be surprised, once Ukraine feels they are winning, if attacks start on military targets in Russia.

Someone posted a website on TMP a week or two ago that had pictures of knocked out vehicles from the war. Included in those photos were two Russian trains that the Ukrainians destroyed. I had assumed that those were in Russia as I didn't see the Russians bringing supply trains into a combat zone.

How do know their hasn't been?
Russian media isn't the most open media in the world!
Any number of sabotage's could be going on by Ukrainian special forces or even Russian's these ops would not come to light maybe years after the shooting stopped.

"Officially, there is no war. Neither Moscow declared war on Kiev, nor Kyiv declared war on Moscow."

Ukraine didn't need to; Russia invaded a sovereign nation. Kind of means any declarations are moot.

I feel sad for the Russian people, none of this is their doing. However I wouldn't on Putin if he was on fire….

Attacking russians' objective, in Russia, would be counterproductive, the Ukranians have the support of most of the world, civilian casualties in Russia would be almost impossible to avoid in case of an (hypothetical) attack against Russia's railways or similar strategical targets.
This is also a war of propaganda, until now are the russians that have to answer for the high number of civilians killed.
Don't forget that in Vietnam War, the reds avoided every attack on USA, on the contrary the biggest mistake from the palestinians was carry their war across the world.

Again we really probably don't know many things. But again, IMO all of Ukraine's assets should be used to "cleanse" the Russian invaders from their homeland, at this time.

And killing Russian civilians will play into Putin's propaganda, etc. Although we see many times events etc. are made up, skewed, etc. So I'd say get'n them pesky Russkies out of the Ukraine is their primary goal/objective, etc.

As for targeting supplies to the troops, it is probably much easier to attack the supply columns sneaking along the extended lines of communications in Ukraine, than to try to attack supply depots in Russia. Also, by attacking the supply columns it may be possible to capture, rather than destroy, some of the transported goods.

Other military targets that might be worthwhile include military air bases and cruise missile bases, as these can be employed to hit targets deep in Ukraine. However, there are concerns that Russians are starting to run on limited supplies of cruise missiles, while the Ukrainian air defenses are apparently still providing a fair bit of deterrence to the Russian air force.

However, such strikes at long distance targets would be risky – causing some initial damage might be possible, but making it back home afterwards could get tricky. Hitting targets closer by, on a familiar ground, makes it a lot easier to get to safety afterwards.

There is also one non-military target in Russia that the Ukrainians have been aiming at for a while – the hearts and minds of the civilian population. There are for example campaigns of Ukrainians contacting their friends and relatives across the border to tell them the truth about the conflict.

The pro Russian separatists in Donbas would do well to consider their options. If the Russians do a hard fold, when the Ukrainians push back to and across the February start line, they're likely to be looking for some payback.

I hear Rostov is lovely this time of year.

I read on FB that some railway lines in Belarus have been sabotaged, disrupting the logistical support of the Russians into Ukraine.

"I read on Facebook that some railway lines in Belarus have been sabotaged". Is there some reliable source?

@HMS Exeter – The Russian separatists in Donbas will soon be free. They have had their fill of the Azov battalion, who will soon cease to exist.

I have no "reliable source", but did see a railcar tipped on its side.

Of course, that could be stock footage from virtually anywhere and anytime.

It will be interesting to see if the reports are eventually verified.

Ukraine is winning the world propaganda battle, why miss that up. But if the war becomes a stalemate then I am guessing you'll see some assignations in Russia.

As for targeting supplies to the troops, it is probably much easier to attack the supply columns sneaking along the extended lines of communications in Ukraine, than to try to attack supply depots in Russia. Also, by attacking the supply columns it may be possible to capture, rather than destroy, some of the transported goods.

Exactly … Yes, that is a "prioritized target".

The Russian separatists in Donbas will soon be free. They have had their fill of the Azov battalion, who will soon cease to exist.

Is the Azov Bn the Nazis that is mentioned in reports ?

Seems like the Ukrainians are capturing a lot of tanks and other vehicles too, which is quite interesting.

I hope they can crew them and put them to good use.

Yes. The Azov Brigade is the most well known Nazi unit fighting for the Ukraine.

Yes. The Azov Brigade is the most well known Nazi unit fighting for the Ukraine.

Also allegedly funded, prior to its incorporation in the Ukrainian army, by a Ukrainian Jewish billionaire with links to criminality and corruption. Weird, but there you go. The Far Right, where ever you are in the world, for all its conservative social posturing often has deep seated links with crime. And not just aggravated assaults on ethnic minorities and immigrants.

That is sort of a stretch.

Would be like saying: "The left, because of their rampant drug usage and weak characters allegedly are responsible for all the drug related crime and horrible deaths by drug cartels all over the world."

Not all conservatives are right wing, racists, white supremists. Actually a tiny, tiny minority would fit that category. I know the media likes to portray all conservatives that way, but then, most of them are left of center.

Hopefully I misinterpreted what you wrote.

Seems like the Ukrainians are capturing a lot of tanks and other vehicles too, which is quite interesting.

Many Russian vehicles were abandoned, etc. That is what happens, if their previous crew does not want them, some will be more then glad to use them. Against their former owners.

I hope they can crew them and put them to good use.

I'm sure they will. If they have not already.

Yes. The Azov Brigade is the most well known Nazi unit fighting for the Ukraine.

I had heard they were Nazis a number of times. As I said let them fight the Russians until this is over. And get concerned after the war. It appears they may be taking heavy losses. The problem will "fix" itself.

I'd rather conduct special operations in territory with a friendly population.

1. They'll provide you with intelligence and even scout for you.

2. You have perimeter guards everywhere.

3. They'll hide you if things get bad.

etc.