Before this announcement Ukraine were only allowed to use NATO weapons within its own borders. They weren’t allowed to strike, for instance, at a Buk missile launcher sitting on the other side of the Russian border, which is fucking nuts.
Or rather, they could, but they could only use their more limited range missiles.
The ATACMS can strike much farther than their conventional weapons BUT, it requires targeting and satellite data that can only be provided by the UK/US to be able to launch, hence why it’s a fairly clear line that must be stepped over to use them.
So now, expect a shitload of airfields/refineries/infrastructure/bases to be taken out.
The Russians have of course already said it’s a provocation, blah blah blah, but they’ve been doing this for years and we’ve already crossed numerous red lines they’ve laid out.
I’m really glad this has finally happened, it’s wild that Ukraine weren’t allowed to strike Russia back.
The phrase Ukrainians have used for months about this is that they are ‘fighting with one arm tied behind their back’.
Imagine - Russia has been doing deep strikes for 1000 days and they haven’t been allowed to do the same with the weapons they’ve been given (and also hence the massive acceleration in their own (long range) drone development program).
Haven’t seen much about this, but a Chinese vessel is rumoured to have cut undersea fibre/internet cables under the Baltic sea. Second time this has happened.
This gives me more hope than weapons manoeuvres (though one follows the other I know). The west is obviously hoping he gets ousted from the inside. Please get on with it lads
Fuck knows. Apparently super paranoid about who has access to him and his food etc. Doesn’t use toilets overseas and takes his dumps with him too. Which could be bs of course
Yeah, I guess if he does get taken down it’ll be someone in his inner circle or a group of military leaders in a coup. But he has no political opponents and any chance of a popular uprising forcing change seems like it was quickly stamped on, though.
This might not seem like a big deal but there was potential for mischief from Russia as the disconnection happened. Like possibly them cutting power early, or some other method to sow uncertainty. Wife got tipped off that we should stock up with water, batteries, fuel, weeks of dry food etc as the changeover was happening, in case there were any incidents.
Thankfully, seems to have gone ok. Estonia currently operating off its own power and will join continental Europe on Sunday.
