"Russia is pulling some troops out of Ukraine..." Topic

…to fight Ukrainians in Russia

But "there are also real questions about [Ukraine's] ability to hold captured Kursk territory," said one expert…

Defense One: link

Why "some"? Why not all?

Ukraine does not need to hold territory, the need to think like General Sherman and cause has much damage possible.

Agreed … as I posted on another thread here …

I don't think Ukraine wants to occupy anything in Russia. Which is what the Russians wanted to do in Ukraine. Ukraine's forces are there to kill/destroy enemy personnel and equipment. Destroy Russian supplies, C3, etc. They don't want to hold anything in Russia. By destroying Russia's ability to continue to wage war and holding terrain in Ukraine. Is their goal.

And it is no surprise that the Russians have to withdraw some troops from Ukraine. As they need to try and stem the Ukrainian Forces that have penetrated deep into Russian territory. The Russians have few units in reserve it appears. Plus, what is the quality of the current Russian Forces at this point ?

One thing it is doing is bringing some mobility back to the battlefield. The Russians are being forced to maneuver, sometimes without proper support, where they can be engaged by drones and supporting fires, or be engaged in maneuver actions. The Ukrainians tried to play the Russian game of "smash your head into the enemy until they give" during last year's counter-offensive. Similar to the '43 battle of Kursk, EVERYONE expected it and knew where, roughly, it would come, and the kind of when. Worse, the Ukrianians even held their offensive until they got Western gear like the Germans waiting for the Panthers. This time they did the exact opposite- hit when and where least expected and with as little information out as possible. Great gains, plus putting some hurt on the Russian army. But…

There's a reason why Kursk was lightly held this time. What can be achieved with a blow into the blue? You want to hit at a decisive point, and maybe Kursk itself it (it's a transportation node), but that isn't really where Ukrainian axes of advance seem to be aimed. Even the Battle of the Bulge had a strategic point- a cut across the US and British armies to cut them off. It was way out there, but it had a point. What's the point here? Killing Russians? You can do that in the Dombas with line after line of defenses (granted, not at conscripts). Hitting the enemy where he isn't… well, a good idea IF you're also hitting them where it hurts. Make Putin look bad, okay, maybe a hit here, but a decisive one? I'm not so sure.

But hey, I'm some internet dude who's military experience is the '91 Gulf War and I my military instruction never got past tossing rounds of 120mm cannons and how tank platoons, and company teams, maneuver. I'm sure there are smarter heads out there know where this can go. I sure don't.

I would agree, this is more of a raid. Cause as much damage as you can, force Russia to divert troops and raise the morale of the people of Ukraine. So far it ahs done of the this. Now, know when to quit and don't stay too long.

One thing it is doing is bringing some mobility back to the battlefield. The Russians are being forced to maneuver, sometimes without proper support, where they can be engaged by drones and supporting fires, or be engaged in maneuver actions.

Exactly ! The Russian have proven they cannot execute modern mobile combined arms maneuver warfare. The Ukraine may not be experts at it yet … but they broke the slog and WWI type warfare.

This operation should at the very least create uncertainty in the minds of the Russians, pause, and possibly reconsider their strategy.

Sorry, that sounds like G'sten in Babylon 5's episode 'The long Twilight struggle'!!!

Wiki – Chevauchee

The chevauchée could be used as … a means of discrediting the enemy's government and detaching his subjects from their loyalty. This usually caused a massive flight of refugees…

They have remembered the essence of military tactics:

hit when and where least expected and with as little information out as possible

Destruction of the bulk of the Russian army as it is sent to fight them in little pieces is a possible goal.

Apparently… after the US elections Ukraine will be de facto sent to the negotiating table with Russia… the more territory they have at hand to negotiate the better for them… imho Ukraine is collecting chips for the exchange…

On the other hand… the "moral" factor must be mentioned… that Mother Russia loses part of its territory to Ukraine is a strong blow to Putin and his gang of assassins… the thousands of "manu military" evacuees are howling for help (the $100 USD they are given for losing everything is of no use) and this cry of pain is spreading throughout Russian society…

Of course Russia is not being invaded… it is just a Ukrainian "Special Military Operation" as they called it… let's see if this awakens some Russian brains…

Armand

Well it really is not a raid, it's been going on for more than 2 weeks. But maybe Ukraine will make a deal … Russia leaves all Ukrainian territory including the Crimea. And Ukraine will leave Russia territory and go back home.

Apparently… after the US elections Ukraine will be de facto sent to the negotiating table with Russia…

I'm not so sure about that ? Of course it will all depend on who is POTUS …

Well, okay, the West has never understood the Russian way of thinking. But the Ukrainians themselves are Russians – they understand perfectly well what this invasion will lead to.. To the same thing that the Russian invasion led to for them – to the unification of society.

Look at the map – Russia has stepped up its offensive actions practically along the entire "old" front and continues to take Ukrainian territory. Yes, it is not as impressive as the dynamic battles in the Kursk region, but it does not look like Russia is stopping its pressure and withdrawing troops.

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By the way, have you seen the mass destruction of "HIMARS" and "Patriots" in recent days? Ukraine is paying dearly for its success in Kursk… Their best trained soldiers and best equipment are dying now.

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"Mass destruction" is a rather exaggerated term and seems more like wishful thinking… materiel loss is high on both sides and of course the attacker usually has more casualties than the defender… it's a question of how much materiel and when can be replaced… each side has its pros and cons… what will define this war will be the human factor.

Regarding the Russian takeover, the equation is how much Ukraine is willing to give up and how many lives the Russians are willing to lose… it doesn't seem like either will budge on this… anyway, the southern towns have long since been abandoned and largely destroyed…

Conquering 50 km2 in the south is not going to make up for 1000 km2 in Mother Russia…

I would like to know what your state TV says about this invasion of Russian soil, the first time since WW2… not the nonsense that it is NATO that invades them… about what happens to the evacuated population, the possibility of repelling or reconquering lost ground… and above all… who do they blame?

Armand

the Ukrainians themselves are Russians

That is a fairly ugly insult per my Ukrainian friends. While Russia, Belarus and Ukraine all claim a heritage to the Kievan Russ, those tribes had Finnish roots as well so relations are genetically more cousins than brothers. All are eastern slavs but the culture, language and even religion have sufficient divergence to make them separate identities. 78% of Ukrainians identify as Ukrainians, not Russians(17% identify as Russian). 88% of Ukrainians speak Ukrainian as their native language.

Russia has trashed their GDP, is enduring 7.6% inflation while the rest of the West has gotten theirs better under control. Russia has bled substantial numbers of their educated best to other nations, mostly western. Putin's stated goal has always been to keep NATO off Russia's borders yet with the Ukrainian armed robbery, Putin himself engineering the largest increases in NATO defense spending since the 80's and added Sweden and Finland to NATO. Russia enjoys a general global reputation that is the moral equivalent of Jeffrey Dahmer feeling peckish. When your best friends are Belarus, China, Venezuela, Iran and God help them, North Korea, something is spectacularly not working.

After three years Russia is no closer to beating Ukraine than before the armed robbery. The best thing at this point might be for all sides to give back the stolen land and go home.

"…Their best trained soldiers and best equipment are dying now…"

With two years of hard war… for sure… the best trained soldiers have gone from both sides… specially from the Russian side who sustain much more casualties and had worst medicare…

Armand

Tango01
I have not posted all the videos of the recent destruction of the weapons that the Ukrainians (and even the West) have a shortage of. How many more "Patriots" and "Himars" are you ready to give away on the eve of a new world war? What will you keep for yourself? However, this is not our problem)))

Russian losses are higher than Ukrainian losses only in your propaganda)))

1000 square kilometers in Russia (more precisely – only 700) is just the territory where combat operations of mobile groups are taking place. In reality, Ukraine controls about 300-350 km. The rest is the so-called "gray zone", where neither side has yet consolidated its position. The situation on the "old" front is completely different. The fate of the war is being decided there, and not in the Kursk region.

You can easily watch Russian television yourself if you wish… There are no serious information barriers now.

What do they say in Russia about this? Different groups of the population – different things. The majority – I would say – are quite indifferent. This is a war, and anything can happen in war. They are not happy with Gerasimov (Chief of the General Staff), they are not happy with the former governor of the Kursk region for poor preparation of the territory for defense. The goal has not changed, the war must be won and the majority of the population does not want any negotiations. Especially – until the liberation of Russian territory.

McKinstry
What does the opinion of your friends matter? All these stories about "genetic roots" have long been refuted by genetic studies. And not only Russian ones. And the propaganda Nazi narratives that Ukrainians have been pumped with for decades do not affect genetics in any way)))
Yes, Ukrainians are a separate nationality. But the reason is not in genetic differences, but in cultural ones, due to historical reasons. No one forbids them to be Ukrainians – they have an excellent and original culture. Personally, I like it. I have a lot of Ukrainian friends and quite a few Ukrainian relatives. For example, my cousins, born and raised in Siberia, but have been living in Ukraine for over thirty years… And in our Altai region (South Siberia), a third of the population are Ukrainians.
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What horrors are happening here in Russia))) If I hadn't read your message, I would never have known about this)))

Our best friends are those who, for one reason or another, oppose Western hegemony.

The best way out is to return to the previous situation? This is impossible. Western officials have repeatedly stated their desire to divide Russia. If Russia gives in, it will face much greater problems than it is now.

Russia announced all of its demands before the start of the military operation. And until they are met, there is no reason to stop hostilities. One of the parties must suffer a clear and unconditional defeat.

As an example. I enjoy watching the channel of this Russian science fiction writer – Sergey Pereslegin. He is not a military man, not a politician. But he often expresses an interesting opinion on various events (English subtitles):

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Good, anything that helps to screw things up for Putin and his playmates is a good thing.

Russian troops and their mentality

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Order/radio intercept from a commander to behead some Ukr soldiers.

And has no one intercepted a radio transmission that there will be no food supplies until the Russians eat the prisoners? It would be even more scary)))
They could have made a video – the Ukrainian propagandists have gotten really lazy)))

Well there is a RUSSIAN video of the murders. With soldiers identified to belong to the 155th naval brigade I think it was. Pretty gruesome footage. Worse than some ISIS beheading videos according to those who have seen it.

How do you feel about that Cuprum? Your troops acting like this.

There are currently about 700,000 people fighting at the front. Naturally, among such a number of people there may be murderers, thieves or other criminals. If crimes are committed, an investigation takes place and the guilty are sent to prison. I recently posted a message about how a Russian lieutenant colonel, deputy brigade commander (who holds the title of "Hero of Russia"), was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the murder of a Ukrainian girl:

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If there is genuine footage of the murders, I hope it has already been presented to the UN and an appropriate investigation is underway?
When crimes are committed by Ukrainian military personnel and they post their videos on the Internet, the identities of the criminals are established very quickly – modern technologies make it possible to do this very quickly.

For example, Ukrainian soldiers mock an old Russian man in the Kursk region, posing as Nazi soldiers. They posted this video a few days ago, but their identities are already known.

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The Ukrainian soldier in the German helmet in the video is a resident of the city of Horodenka in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, 38-year-old Vasily Danylyuk (Ukraine). The elderly man in the video is a local Russian resident, Alexander Gusarov.

Western officials have repeatedly stated their desire to divide Russia. If Russia gives in, it will face much greater problems than it is now.

Only in your minds, all the "West" wants is for Russia to go back to it's agreed borders, leave Ukrainian territory and stop being such a boring pest.

Tally Ho!

hope it has already been presented to the UN and an appropriate investigation is underway?

Kind of like the ICC arrest warrant for Putin?

Western officials have repeatedly stated their desire to divide Russia.

Actual proof? And actual leadership. Medvedev is an actual leader and has often stated the intent, not desire, to take land from multiple countries including the use of nukes.

But he often expresses an interesting opinion on various events

But not outside the official line or he would likely fall out a window or God forbid, donate $51 USD to a Ukrainian relief charity and get a 12 year sentence for treason
The ruble may not be worth the paper it is printed on but 12 years for $51 USD ? Will she get Navalnyed in prison ?Russia is not North Korea but they seem determined to head in the direction.

Russia announced all of its demands before the start of the military operation.

And they are? Since we already know denazification was simply a silly canard and admission of Ukraine to the EU is a virtual certainty (with NATO admission, never likely, now possible as well, to go with Sweden and Finland as kind of a cherry on top.)

How about a trade? Kursk and Belgorod for the stolen land?

nickinsomerset:

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McKinstry

You mean the court that the US threatens when this court pays attention to their crimes?

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Medvedev, in my opinion, is a clinical idiot))) They laugh at his statements in Russia. But yeah – you've got me here.

Russia is in a state of war. Any real help to the enemy is treason. With the corresponding consequences. What's wrong?

No trade. A clear victory for one of the parties.

McKinstry +1

You mean the court that the US threatens when this court pays attention to their crimes?

Yeah, those damn Yankees !! They … oh … wait … never mind …

However, I will freely admit, the current US leadership in the WH and generally in DC both elected and appointed. It appears they have broken/ignored many US laws. The US Constitution is forgotten, ignored or bypassed. The USA is in a crisis not seen since the ACW, IMO. They don't know their history … but they did take a lesson from ancient Roman. Bread & Circus … keep the masses fat, dumb and happy. They won't notice the crimes that are going. It appears the only technique they use is give money and other perks to buy votes.

Oh, and their predilection of taking $ from very well-funded lobbyists, special interest groups, etc. Making the elected officials beholden to the whims of those who they received big $ from. We the people be damned …

This is the real world, Ideals are beautiful, but we all have to dig in the dirt from time to time. So I don't see any point in blaming the United States (and everyone else) for looking for their own benefit.
Competition is a natural path of evolution. Including among states. And sometimes war is the only way to defend one's position if a competitor refuses to negotiate. This is what reality looks like.

Any real help to the enemy is treason.

$51 USD is real help? To a charity? Even given that might be real money in a third or fourth world nation, has Russia really sunk to that North Korean level of weird?

John Bolton, who you cited, has not had any government employment since two years BEFORE Russia got in the land theft business. You stated a desire for the UN to investigate war crimes. The UN would ask the ICC to go forward with any such investigation. Since the UN is your desired mechanism, would that imply acceptance of the ICC and therefore the Putin warrant? Please do not reply while anywhere near a window.

The Helsinki Committee you linked to regarding partion is, as noted in that very same article, an advisory entity with zero authority and comprising 5 people, none of whom fit even the vaguest definition of leadership whereas Mr. Medvedev is a former president of the Russian Federation (2008-2012) and a former Prime Minister (2012-2020) and currently the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council. He does like to threaten other people and yes, he is a first class moron but, he is a first class moron with a fairly senior leadership position.

if a competitor refuses to negotiate

Ukraine is a competitor? For what?

Please note that having land or other assets you want to steal from someone does not constitute competition.

McKinstry, the fact is important, not the amount. In Ukraine, priests are imprisoned for refusing to switch from the Moscow Patriarchate to the Constantinople Patriarchate, declaring them traitors. And then they are exchanged for prisoners of war, as combatants. Doesn't this bother you?

Why discuss the decisions of the ICC, which is influenced and threatened even by "democratic" countries? This organization is a fiction that has lost its authority. Now it is just an instrument of political pressure. Where there is no impartiality, there is only the pursuit of benefits.

And what do you think of the PACE call to "decolonize" Russia?
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Why not call for decolonization of the United States, for example?
The West has already destroyed one country in Europe – Yugoslavia. This forces us to be very careful about such statements.

I do not support the annexation of the territory of Ukraine (except for Crimea) and I believe that the blame for this war largely lies with Russia. I believe that the reason is largely the long-term indulgence and unjustified concessions to the West from Yeltsin and Putin. Including in the issue of Ukraine. But what's done is done. The war is already underway and the situation must be assessed from the positions that already exist today. I consider Russia's initial pre-war demands to be fair, and victory to be necessary simply because of the security of Russia's existence.

So I don't see any point in blaming the United States (and everyone else) for looking for their own benefit.

Well it seems in the USA, our elected and appointed officials are looking out for their own benefit.

Again "we the people" … "Let them eat cake" …

Why discuss the decisions of the ICC

I referred to the ICC only because you called on the UN to investigate. Since the UN would refer any significant investigation to the ICC, you essentially called for them.

The West has already destroyed one country in Europe – Yugoslavia.

I believe the Slovenians, Croats, Bosnians, Montenegrins and Kosovars would differ strongly with that assessment.

And what do you think of the PACE call to "decolonize" Russia?

Wistful thinking? Under Putin they accurately if in a bit of a pontificating, identify Russia's mistreatment of their minorities but the vast bulk of the resolution simply identifies the regime as the blot on humanity it is and calls on help for Ukraine (the US gets pointedly encouraged to get that done) and strengthened enforcement of sanctions. I should also be noted that the Parliament has zero military strength and zero ability to apply force beyond mere moral hand wringing.

priests are imprisoned for refusing to switch from the Moscow Patriarchate to the Constantinople Patriarchate

The Moscow Patriarchate is no longer a religion but simply an organ of the State and Patriarch Kirill is so far up Putin's backside he can see Anna Tsyvilova BUT while I do not know the exact details of any priest's behavior, simply refusing to switch would appear unworthy of a treason charge whereas actually preaching from the pulpit for the enemy as Kirill advocates would certainly qualify. I believe we can safely say the preaching for Ukraine in Moscow would equally frowned upon via jail or the Putin classic defenestration.

initial pre-war demands to be fair

What were those demands?

security of Russia's existence.

How, at any point, is the EXISTENTIAL security of Russia threatened?

Legion 4, all countries (like people) go through crises. This is the natural course of things.

McKinstry

The time for investigations will come after the war. Now too many will be interested in manipulation.

Estimates always differ. These peoples have too little experience of "big political life". And now they have an alternative – the "European Union".

There is no cruel treatment of minorities in Russia. No one is limited in any rights depending on their nationality. This is just a stupid lie. Most peoples have their own republics or autonomies, their own self-government.

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Parliamentary declarations are a statement of intent.

What does it mean that the Moscow Patriarchate is not a religion? There is only one religion – Christianity, and in this case – Orthodoxy.
Does this mean that all churches of any faiths should be closed in Russia if their "center" is located on the territory of "unfriendly states" and you approve of such actions? The only guilt of the priests is that they call for reconciliation of Orthodox peoples and protest against the confiscation of their church property. And in any case, anyone convicted of dissent cannot be considered a combatant under any circumstances.

The text of the security guarantees that Putin demanded on the eve of the war:

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Legion 4, all countries (like people) go through crises. This is the natural course of things.

Yes I study history too. "Tough times don't last … tough people do."

Interesting proposed treaty. So the part where Russia wanted no further eastern expansion of NATO and the US and Europe agreed wasn't good enough?

So instead, Ukraine gets invaded to steal land and now Sweden and Finland join, NATO spending by existing members goes through the roof with 70 % hitting GDP spending targets and the rest recommitted. Ukraine likely will be allowed to join NATO after all. In an added bonus Russia loses vast amounts of men and material, their vaunted defense industries lose much credibility in the international weapon sales. Having to buy Iranian drones? Tanks lost by the thousands?, Black Sea fleet shows a level of ineptitude comparable with 1905? Not a good look.

The one week war is now a three year war and the ‘inevitable' win is now essentially a stalemate.

How's that working for Vlad the Shirtless?

At least at this point, they now could have a bargaining chip. Does anyone think the Russians could successfully attack the enclave the Ukrainians have pushed deep into Putin Territory ?

And it is almost funny or better yet ironic. Putin wanted to stop NATO from pushing further East. So, both Finland & Sweden then joined NATO. They didn't like or trust the Russians, either. He must still be very upset that many of the former WP are in NATO as well. And have been for some time …

So did Putin or Russian Intel get anything right when the decision was made to invade the Ukraine ?

I'm going with – NO …

I still want to know how Ukraine could ever be an existential threat to the Russian Federation?

McKinstry, yes, Russia has many problems. We see them and know them. Thirty years of negative selection into power and concessions to the West have not passed without leaving their mark. But now we have a chance to overcome them. Many things turned out to be much better than I thought before – for example, society did not have time to completely disintegrate, industry turned out to be not so ruined.
It's all just beginning…

NATO military bases on the territory of Ukraine are an analogue of the Wehrmacht, which, without any battles, is located 500 km from Moscow. The threat is obvious and direct.

…NATO military bases on the territory of Ukraine are an analogue of the Wehrmacht, which, without any battles, is located 500 km from Moscow. The threat is obvious and direct.

NATO, the underfunded alliance, was going to attack Russia??? Ridiculous.

As funny as Russia attacking NATO?

Well… if Russia in no way has any intention of attacking NATO… what is the problem with Ukraine belonging to NATO?… or any other country… it is a free choice that does not violate Russia's borders…

Armand

As funny as Russia attacking NATO?

Hasn't Dmitry Medvedev said that Poland is next?

Tango – it changes the flight time of missiles…

Medvedev said this in a certain context. If Poland decides to openly get involved in the conflict (for example, Ukrainian planes will take off from its territory to strike Russian troops), then – undoubtedly.

"NATO military bases on the territory of Ukraine are an analogue of the Wehrmacht, which, without any battles, is located 500 km from Moscow. The threat is obvious and direct"

More russian paranoia, why on earth would NATO want to invade russia, we want progress, not a large country full of mindless vermin led by a dictator,

Tally Ho!

Why did the West invade Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya and dozens of other countries? This is not paranoia – this is common sense.

NATO had no bases in Ukraine.

NATO fairly aggressively stated the Ukraine was not going to be admitted prior to the invasion/armed robbery. That has of course changed plus Sweden and Finland.

Way to go!

The Cold War lasted for 40+ plus years with no conflict except by proxy due to massive nuclear arsenals on both sides. The arsenals remain yet suddenly Mutual Assured Destruction no longer applies? Prior to the invasion/armed robbery NATO had less troops and less material each year yet aggression was imminent?

McKinstry +1

Also FWIW, many former WP are now part of NATO. And with the advent of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, two new nations jointed NATO. I.e. Finland and Sweden.

IIRC Finland and Russia share a 900-mile border. That can't make Vlad happy to know that his bungling of geopolitics, etc. added those two nations to NATO with Finland along that long Russian border.

Plus US troops are training with Finland …

Let's see how Homer Simpson would say it ? DOH !!!!!!!

I believe the Slovenians, Croats, Bosnians, Montenegrins and Kosovars would differ strongly with that assessment.

I agree, I'd think they are glad to be independent nations… again. And not have to answer to anyone but their own elected or appointed leaders. IIRC 4 of the states of the former Yugoslavia had jointed NATO.

Seems everybody's doing it !

Western officials have repeatedly stated their desire to divide Russia.

Was that on the SyFy Channel or in a Clancey novel ?

In 2019, Ukraine amended its Constitution to include a provision on its aspiration to join NATO.

At the Brussels Summit in June 2021, NATO leaders reaffirmed the 2008 Bucharest Summit decision that Ukraine would be granted a NATO Membership Action Plan.

Nuclear weapons lose their deterrent power when one side gains an advantage. The deployment of nuclear missiles on Ukrainian territory, as well as the deployment of NATO air defense and anti-missile systems, gives NATO a huge advantage in terms of a first strike against Russia and preventing or reducing the effectiveness of its retaliatory strike.
It is the creation of this situation that is the reason for the outbreak of the war.

Remember the Cuban Missile Crisis and American paranoia… Maybe Cuba had every right to place on its own territory whatever it considered necessary?

aspiration to join NATO.

Aspiration means nothing. I aspire to be a billionaire yet it eludes me.

Ukraine would be granted a NATO Membership Action Plan.

And yet it never happened.

The deployment of nuclear missiles on Ukrainian territory, as well as the deployment of NATO air defense and anti-missile systems,

And yet it never happened and moreover, when Russia began the theft Ukraine was not a NATO member, was not in any way in process of becoming a member (which can be fairly quick – ask Sweden or Finland), the US President publicly stated they would not be invited, no NATO bases existed, no missiles of any kind be they AAW, ABM or IRBM existed and were never discussed in any context by any US, British or French leaders who are the only entities with nukes. The only nation in Europe to be considered for an anti-missile system was Poland and Russia fussed but chose to do nothing. Why not try and steal their land as Poland is actually, not in some future theory, doing AAW and ABM sites with every weapon except IRBM's.

No concrete actions ever took place. Talking without action means nothing unless you are paranoid or looking for an excuse to steal something.

Remember the Cuban Missile Crisis and American paranoia

Real missiles on real ships headed to real bases not verbal chimera. Despite real missiles the US did not invade ( or steal) but rather negotiated a quid pro quo and quietly removed US IRBM's from Turkey. Perhaps that is the lesson that should have been learned?

Maybe Russia could have negotiated a bit longer instead of emulating Nazi Germany in claiming to be open to negotiation while simply going ahead with the attempted armed robbery. NOTHING had happened. No, zero, zip, nada actual activities. Words are not an existential threat unless you want to deliberately pretend prose guarantees action.

Of course now that NATO is much stronger both in new members and increased defense budgets and Russia much weaker, that plan to 'fix' the risk seems a bit of a colossal blunder.