Topix Underground

Will the Europeans and the Americans come forth with enough money and weapons to help Ukraine actually go on the offense for a change? And if so how much money and weapons will that take?  Anybody that wants Ukraine to actually move forward in this war must understand this one fact. Ukraine needs offensive weapons. They have plenty of defensive weapons. As evidenced by the current stalemate. That's why they are currently engaged in a World War I  trench battle with Russia.

Ukraine needs a lot. That is a fight that the US could eat up but they have to make do with less.  The F16's will be there soon if they are not already and with some prep they can make a difference. The problem for both sides is that massing anything for an attack just doesn't work, it gets seen and blown up yet the only way to break the lines is to mass for an attack. A type of catch 22.

The russian solution to that is the meat waves, just push infantry forward and never mind how many you lose. It does kind of work but it is expensive all the way around. A couple times this week russia when back to trying larger armored columns but they got boot stomped. 

This is a pickle, WW1 with semi modern weapons, and WW1 had very similar problems with meat waves and mass artillery being the only thing that even half worked. That's why we didn't see much of that in WW2, all sides realized that win or lose it just becomes a hungry grinder for both troops and money.

If putin had any sense he would have quit long ago, even if he wins, he loses. Already has.
Ukraine is going to have to take a big chance somewhere and poke a big hole in the line. IF they can get behind russian defenses and romper stomp behind the lines I think the russian army will run same as they did in the north but Ukraine will have to press forward without a break and be prepared for big losses of troops and equipment.   

An amphibious landing in Crimea would be handy but you go right back to the massing problem. The Kerch bridge has to go, that is job 1 IMO. However, when they do it Ukraine has to be ready and willing to move the next day. And to keep moving.