NY Times: How Ukraine's offensive was planned

[Tomconroy]

I hope everyone can read this without a paywall. The Times says I can do this. Please let me know if non subscribers can read it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/13/us/politics/ukraine-russia-pentagon.html?unlocked_article_code=hRvWtL8kjvp5tulogyPkrbmCWzjOwtnJbOE0I73X4JmwNkB72ShwsKer5eqaNsc_AdoqV2ebrK68CbHJV-x4ZthebMM5xIa8TNHFccwmOUKJMDY6TzZl0w5o5ENg5Fhue6Bqy78wgWVa8vGqZmNPteJJ63IAV-4uVmmGaJ9PkNkmBTAO3fGd7XLBjOz1cmcEp4K3PeIKlBBBZ64DCq1wqJ5UnTZVdQeCGlmKWwH_xl4O6pa5MusB-n0WhybapKj1rgzXF-Rr6aPmdUqZ2QPwligL2XX0oigCyrT0yFDn3ixlLFZzpWRUNJzpgYQWkHl5FbVeRTJcfR2gS4k08wuhw_iErfaV&smid=share-url

[underpants]

1. Good read. A few excerpts

Specific weapons, like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, are having an outsize effect on the battlefield. The satellite-guided rockets fired by these launch vehicles, called GMLRS, each contain a warhead with 200 pounds of explosives and have been used in recent weeks by Ukrainian forces to destroy more than 400 Russian arms depots, command posts and other targets, American officials said.

More recently, Ukrainian forces have put American-supplied HARM air-launched missiles on Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighter jets, which no air force had ever done. The missiles have been particularly effective in destroying Russian radars.

“The importance of Western military support is not just in specific weapons systems, but in the assurance and confidence that the Ukrainians can use in their future planning,” said Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, who recently returned from Ukraine.

Russia has been weakened. By failing to detect Ukraine’s buildup around Kharkiv, the Russian military has demonstrated incompetence and shown that it lacks solid intelligence. Its command and control have been decimated and it is having trouble supplying its troops, giving Ukraine an opening in the coming weeks, U.S. officials said.

[herding cats]

2. That's a great read!

Kick!

[crickets]

3. Yes, the link worked - thanks! Two broad takeaways from the article:

1. Aid for Ukraine from the US and other countries is vital and is working. Money and materiel well spent.

2. Also vital is solid US intelligence, underscoring its importance to us and to our allies. Imagine the cluster**** if tfg were still around to hold that aid hostage or to get his hands on any of the intel. The man is an international menace.

Ukraine has done a brilliant job of training up and using the new equipment being sent, and also has done a superlative job of using the intel and advice received. 🌻

[Irish_Dem]

4. Thanks for the summary.

I am glad the money sent to Ukraine is being used so successfully.

Yes what would have happened in Trump were still in charge.
We know unfortunately.