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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSenior US Defense Official: Putin "still has 95 percent of the combat power that he started with"
Putin has nearly 100 percent of the combat power that he amassed for this invasion inside of Ukraine and Putin still has 95 percent of the combat power that he started with, the official added.
The combat power available to him if you count his estimated losses just in terms of aircraft and vehicles that are either inoperable or not moving or not available to him, he still has a lot of combat power available, the official said.
...
Very little of the nation of Ukraine is not covered by some sort of Russian surface-to-air missile capability, and they are also conducting offensive air strikes through missiles launched by aircraft as well as by mobile launchers, the official said. While Russians have more control of the airspace in some parts of the country, up in the north more than anywhere else, they dont have control over the entire country, and the space overall remains contested, the official said.
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-08-22/index.html
The reason President Zelensky sounds desperate in his pleas for more assistance is because things simply are that desperate.
Please remember that the heroic Ukrainian armed forces are still fighting a much stronger and better armed opponent.
Karma13612
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Lovie777
(11,992 posts)ya got to keep your military sorta healthy.
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)bluewater
(5,376 posts)In any case, underestimating the threat facing Ukraine would be counterproductive.
WarGamer
(12,106 posts)They want atrocities.
bluewater
(5,376 posts)WarGamer
(12,106 posts)ck4829
(34,977 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,444 posts)Ukraine is the breadbasket, so, wouldn't make much sense to scorch it all.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)However, if it serves as motivation to expand support for Ukraine, so be it.
bluewater
(5,376 posts)lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Putin has a large shitty military.
bluewater
(5,376 posts)lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)bluewater
(5,376 posts)Jazz Jon
(109 posts)The reports on the numbers of shoulder fired anti tank and anti aircraft systems available to Ukraine, and the reports of battlefield success of Ukraine plus the reports on stalled convoys and poor logistics of the Russians plus the fact that four Russian generals have been killed, along with the poor moral of Russizn troops and info that the FSB has leaked information to Ukraine..........
Just does not add up with the official US reports that Russia still has all its strength and is expected to crush Ukraine any day now. It does not add up.
Why this disparity??
I am thinking that the US official reports are not taking the actual progress of the war into account. They are still just looking at numbers on paper?
WarGamer
(12,106 posts)The DoD is just looking at facts obtained through spy satellites and Lord knows what other technology.
Don't get me wrong... UKRAINE is doing the EXACT right thing, rallying international support and painting a rosy picture.
Chainfire
(17,308 posts)I think that it is safe to assume that Putin still has the necessary forces to eventually occupy the statehouse and topple the government. His biggest problem is how long it is taking. Every day that the Ukrainians delay him is a win. It will be hell for him to try to keep the peace.
bluewater
(5,376 posts)WarGamer
(12,106 posts)He wants to knock Ukraine back 50 years in terms of infrastructure, destroy their military and get a deal signed giving him the East and Crimea for good... and a neutrality pledge and guarantees of no NATO application.
The Russians will then leave and the mess will be left for the Ukrainians and the EU.