War with whom? The Russians? They can't even defeat an almost defenseless country like the Ukraine. Russia is close to a paper tiger. Without the nukes they would be a third or fourth rate military.
I would politely direct you to a Swiss publication NZZ and their “real time” map of the SMO in eastern Ukraine. You may find it helpful. It is generally a bad idea to denigrate a foe before you have fought them. Good bad or indifferent the RF forces have been in steady combat in heavily contested areas for 3 plus years. The USA’s last effort in a conflicted region was the NEO at HKIA in August of 2021. NATO’s last stand was??? The coordination and OPLAN’s for a “war” with the Russia Federation no doubt show the situation going from 10 mph to 150 mph as the use of all out war weapons are used, such as the Oshnik hypersonic missiles that the RF have, and used. But, apparently many are still drunk on the end of WWII. It is unlikely many European’s understand the devastation they could face. Which is why the Eastern European nations are slow walking their way from the west..it’s not a good plan to go to war with Russia. But as Bear said, looks like Western Europe wants it so here we go.
They have lost 100,000 men and out side of all but undefended areas seize early on have struggled to take ground dispute a 4 to 1 manpower advantage.
Apparently they also have a desertion issue and supply issues.
You should spend more time learning about military your touting . They gave preformed poorly, are poorly lead and poorly manned. Plus it seems to a degree poorly equipped.
Well then Jeff, surely you’re ready and willing to go and fight for Ukraine. When are you flying out to join up? Should be a breeze, based on your assessemt of the Russian failures, you’ll be in Moscow in no time. As a Marine Infantry Officer I look at it differently than you. That is fine. Please let us all know how it’s going at the eastern front say around Pokrovsk when you get there, if it hasn’t fallen to the RF forces by then.
He didn’t say it is a breeze in Ukraine. But his point is that it is not a breeze for Russia either, which it should be. Hence, Russia is a peer for Ukraine, and not a first rate military.
Respectfully disagree, sorry let’s start with something basic. Number of artillery shells fired a week. 12,000 RF and 6,000 for USA/NATO. (Forget tube fatigue and failure. The King of Battle aka Artillery wins wars especially wars of attrition. We can’t keep up manufacturing wise. Russia is on a full war footing, forget calling it an SMO. On the middle portion of the east to west axis, last month RF reconnaissance in force broke through and were shocked to find the very well constructed trench lines empty 3-4 bands miles long not manned. The Ukrainian forces do not have the manpower to plug the gaps. But forget that, what military power are you sending to defeat this fourth rate power? It isn’t NATO as it is currently configured. It is not close to ready for a 6-1 attacker to defender attack. Further the Russians are extremely good in the defense. This presupposes that they don’t go to hypersonics and blast civilian targets. What will the response be? John Bolton says nuke them…that will not end well. Pilates would be good practice for bending over and kissing you backside good bye as it will end life on earth. But never mind that, never let facts get in the way of a good narrative. Again go look at a neutral newpaper online like NZZ, if the RF are fourth rate what does that make NATO? PS NATO was meant to be a defensive posture not offensive in nature or conduct of operations. Again, since the Russians are a pushover head over and find out for yourselves. You be disappointed In your assessments.
If the RU desired to go scorched earth Ukraine would be utterly destroyed. The RU doesn't want that, they want a safe viable land bridge to Crimea and the Black Sea ports and Navy base.
I don't know of anyone that is claiming it is a US war, other than Putin, who is an inveterate liar. We are not involved, but we are helping Ukraine as it is in the interest of the US that Putin lose in Ukraine.
This seems like a run up to World War One with Denmark substituting for Serbia. NATO weapons destroying Russian targets via ukraine and high sea actions will guarantee a Russian response. This game of chicken will end in misery
The Scandanavians are finally growing some Baltics. Even the Germans and the French are experiencing little squirts of testosterone. Meanwhile, what are the Russians to do? Their paranoia is being fed by their own actions. Same as it ever was.
If the USA hadn’t “impaired” Japan’s logistics eventually the war would have come to the Pacific anyway. Japan was an expansionist colonial power at the time.
Those were 19th century colonial activities. By the 20th century the USA had pretty much ceased incorporating foreign countries or territory into being part of itself or subject to its rule. Japan’s expansionist behavior continued.
Your comment on letting conflicts simmer is right on target. When Russia defied the world and invaded Ukraine with a tank and airborne blitz in 2022, it would have been a proportionate response for NATO to warn that Kaliningrad would be in jeopardy if Russia did not call off its war — that NATO could not be expected to tolerate an aggressor outpost behind its lines. Now, the war having gone on nearly four years, a threat to Kaliningrad would constitute a deliberate and grave escalation, not a timely response.
At the LANDEURO defense symposium in Wiesbaden this year, the commander of US forces in Europe sketched out a scenario in which Western forces seized Kaliningrad by a coup de main. This open threat met with almost no comment whatever from any direction. What's going on?
With respect, Russia does not “Bully” their neighbors!
Nor does Russia want to be “Bullied” by neighbors waving a NATO flag!
I speak as an American Naval Officer very grateful for your Map showing the “Russian Gambit” of “Gauntlet” of neighboring Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark on its sail across the Baltic Sea out into larger waters!
Lest I not forget “Germany”… my Jewish family whispers, “Never Forget”!
Yes, I have read about ill maintained “Ghost Ships”. Since I’m dedicated to studying Maritime Law, I want these ships and the Ship’s Crew in top repair, no danger to sea lanes.
Yes, I have read about counties alleging Russian Drones. Investigations show otherwise.
I’m sure Russia will comply with Drone-Free Fly zones over Denmark during those high level talks.
Just as high level talks inside Russia will begin next week, everyone needs to be on their “Best Behavior”.
I’ll be watching as I watched from the West Wall in Baltimore Inner Harbor, 1990 - 1994. I will be available as will proceed as ordered by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States.
I’m beginning my Physical Fitness exercises to be weight and strength compliant per our fantastic SECDEF Hegseth. I stand proud to be an American!
Very respectfully yours!
… and grateful for this Chart Room Map.
Kindly keep me informed as to the Russian success through the Baltic Challenge. Nurse Jane watching and waiting for the Lights … God Bless my shipmates!
You're being silly. Russia has a long history of bullying its neighbors. Putin invaded because the bullying failed and his puppet, Yanukovych, tried to betray his country and Ukrainians rose up against it. No one bullied Russia. They did stand up to Putin, adn Putin can not abide that. That is why he invaded Georgia, and now Ukraine. Georgia lost, but Ukraine has stood against Putin, adn the war is going very poorly for Russia. In fact, over the last year, the war has turned against Russia.
By the bye, your "investigations" have not revealed what you wish them to reveal. Recent incursions were by Russian drones. Russian aircraft have also violated western airspace.
Given the state of the Russian military, I do not see that Russia can "act" much if the ghost fleet ships are impounded. An outright war with Russia isn't going to happen as Putin has shot his bolt in Ukraine and has precious little he could deploy against the west. He can whine a ot about how he is at war with NATO, but he brought it on himself by invading.
Putin is still KGB and is an unreconstructed Soviet. Russia can't occupy Ukraine, so how is he going to occupy anything else? Putin wants the USSR back in fact, if not name.
IT would be nice were that true. Like so many that are deluded about what is going on, you just thrown things up against the wall hoping they stick.
Russia has been stopped, adn things are going to get far, far worse for than than they are now. Seeing Putin defeated in Ukraine is in the interests of the entire west, including the US.
By the bye, all we have there is a training mission and the Attachés. We are already home.
Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Norway and the rest of the chihuahuas should frequently check to make sure the US still has their back.
If Putin tries anything with any NATO country, he will be committing state suicide. Even if the US does nothing, their economies are untouched adn they already have modern weapons that are far superior to anything Putin has.
Russia has asked for Europe many times. The Soviets did, Yeltsin did, and Putin has as well. There is much Europe has that Putin wants. To know what does not take much observation or thought. Putin's moronic war has demonstrated many things.
You can make an argument that the Soviet Union wanted Europe for ideological reasons (promote communism), but what's in these countries that Russia would risk a war for?
The Euro's are going to get that war they desire, I just hope the USA stays out of this one.
War with whom? The Russians? They can't even defeat an almost defenseless country like the Ukraine. Russia is close to a paper tiger. Without the nukes they would be a third or fourth rate military.
I would politely direct you to a Swiss publication NZZ and their “real time” map of the SMO in eastern Ukraine. You may find it helpful. It is generally a bad idea to denigrate a foe before you have fought them. Good bad or indifferent the RF forces have been in steady combat in heavily contested areas for 3 plus years. The USA’s last effort in a conflicted region was the NEO at HKIA in August of 2021. NATO’s last stand was??? The coordination and OPLAN’s for a “war” with the Russia Federation no doubt show the situation going from 10 mph to 150 mph as the use of all out war weapons are used, such as the Oshnik hypersonic missiles that the RF have, and used. But, apparently many are still drunk on the end of WWII. It is unlikely many European’s understand the devastation they could face. Which is why the Eastern European nations are slow walking their way from the west..it’s not a good plan to go to war with Russia. But as Bear said, looks like Western Europe wants it so here we go.
They have lost 100,000 men and out side of all but undefended areas seize early on have struggled to take ground dispute a 4 to 1 manpower advantage.
Apparently they also have a desertion issue and supply issues.
You should spend more time learning about military your touting . They gave preformed poorly, are poorly lead and poorly manned. Plus it seems to a degree poorly equipped.
Well then Jeff, surely you’re ready and willing to go and fight for Ukraine. When are you flying out to join up? Should be a breeze, based on your assessemt of the Russian failures, you’ll be in Moscow in no time. As a Marine Infantry Officer I look at it differently than you. That is fine. Please let us all know how it’s going at the eastern front say around Pokrovsk when you get there, if it hasn’t fallen to the RF forces by then.
He didn’t say it is a breeze in Ukraine. But his point is that it is not a breeze for Russia either, which it should be. Hence, Russia is a peer for Ukraine, and not a first rate military.
Respectfully disagree, sorry let’s start with something basic. Number of artillery shells fired a week. 12,000 RF and 6,000 for USA/NATO. (Forget tube fatigue and failure. The King of Battle aka Artillery wins wars especially wars of attrition. We can’t keep up manufacturing wise. Russia is on a full war footing, forget calling it an SMO. On the middle portion of the east to west axis, last month RF reconnaissance in force broke through and were shocked to find the very well constructed trench lines empty 3-4 bands miles long not manned. The Ukrainian forces do not have the manpower to plug the gaps. But forget that, what military power are you sending to defeat this fourth rate power? It isn’t NATO as it is currently configured. It is not close to ready for a 6-1 attacker to defender attack. Further the Russians are extremely good in the defense. This presupposes that they don’t go to hypersonics and blast civilian targets. What will the response be? John Bolton says nuke them…that will not end well. Pilates would be good practice for bending over and kissing you backside good bye as it will end life on earth. But never mind that, never let facts get in the way of a good narrative. Again go look at a neutral newpaper online like NZZ, if the RF are fourth rate what does that make NATO? PS NATO was meant to be a defensive posture not offensive in nature or conduct of operations. Again, since the Russians are a pushover head over and find out for yourselves. You be disappointed In your assessments.
There is that too.
The RU is changing to a mandatory year round draft up to 150,000 men a year.
They have vast reserves of nuclear weapons, and yes old tanks which are good for bunker busting and mobile fire vehicle for infantry.
Hitler and Napoleon also thought Russia was a paper tiger.
If the RU desired to go scorched earth Ukraine would be utterly destroyed. The RU doesn't want that, they want a safe viable land bridge to Crimea and the Black Sea ports and Navy base.
The Euros are far less ready for war than they were in1939.
They are not ready at all. Neither are we here in the USA.
I believe no European nation except Germany was ready for war in 1939 nor was the USA.
They desire? You're being silly. They don't want war so badly they have become cowards. You can wish all you like that the US does not get in.
It's not a US war and we need to quietly refuse to get involved.
I don't know of anyone that is claiming it is a US war, other than Putin, who is an inveterate liar. We are not involved, but we are helping Ukraine as it is in the interest of the US that Putin lose in Ukraine.
Sweden has the better PAOs, but the Finns are also sending a team that is ready to use force:
https://yle.fi/a/74-20185869?utm_source=social-media-share&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ylefiapp
This seems like a run up to World War One with Denmark substituting for Serbia. NATO weapons destroying Russian targets via ukraine and high sea actions will guarantee a Russian response. This game of chicken will end in misery
Sal's last comment is his best. Worthwhile to remember.
Germany had the same problems concerning the Baltic and everybody knows how easy that was to deal with.
......letting wars go on 🐌 for long periods of time.
(Vietnam & Afghanistan both come to mind)
🩸💰
The Scandanavians are finally growing some Baltics. Even the Germans and the French are experiencing little squirts of testosterone. Meanwhile, what are the Russians to do? Their paranoia is being fed by their own actions. Same as it ever was.
NORTHMEN, TIME TO BE A-VIKING!
Russia has very few cards in this game. NATO can and should call their bluff.
They have few cards to play.
Impairing someone else’s maritime logistics is how we got Pearl Harbor and the Pacific Theater of WW2.
Just sayin’ (and maybe that was the plan all along?)
If the USA hadn’t “impaired” Japan’s logistics eventually the war would have come to the Pacific anyway. Japan was an expansionist colonial power at the time.
And the US was just a kid in candy store?
Well, we weren’t the ones who‘d invaded China, Manchuria and Korea.
Just Hawaii and the Philippines
I get it. Japan bad, America good.
Those were 19th century colonial activities. By the 20th century the USA had pretty much ceased incorporating foreign countries or territory into being part of itself or subject to its rule. Japan’s expansionist behavior continued.
So it’s fine when America does it first but bad when another country does it later?
That’s a good summary of the “Rules Based Order” 😁
Japanese expansionism actually began in the 19th century with gunboat diplomacy against Korea in 1876.
Your comment on letting conflicts simmer is right on target. When Russia defied the world and invaded Ukraine with a tank and airborne blitz in 2022, it would have been a proportionate response for NATO to warn that Kaliningrad would be in jeopardy if Russia did not call off its war — that NATO could not be expected to tolerate an aggressor outpost behind its lines. Now, the war having gone on nearly four years, a threat to Kaliningrad would constitute a deliberate and grave escalation, not a timely response.
At the LANDEURO defense symposium in Wiesbaden this year, the commander of US forces in Europe sketched out a scenario in which Western forces seized Kaliningrad by a coup de main. This open threat met with almost no comment whatever from any direction. What's going on?
What would we do if Russia seized Alaska?
You may not know it but, Spetznaz troops have been seen in Alaska for many years. I read reports of that back in the 70s.
They are everywhere.
Yep.
I will check under my bed tonight.
Be sure. You never can tell.
Good Afternoon CDR Salamander!
With respect, Russia does not “Bully” their neighbors!
Nor does Russia want to be “Bullied” by neighbors waving a NATO flag!
I speak as an American Naval Officer very grateful for your Map showing the “Russian Gambit” of “Gauntlet” of neighboring Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark on its sail across the Baltic Sea out into larger waters!
Lest I not forget “Germany”… my Jewish family whispers, “Never Forget”!
Yes, I have read about ill maintained “Ghost Ships”. Since I’m dedicated to studying Maritime Law, I want these ships and the Ship’s Crew in top repair, no danger to sea lanes.
Yes, I have read about counties alleging Russian Drones. Investigations show otherwise.
I’m sure Russia will comply with Drone-Free Fly zones over Denmark during those high level talks.
Just as high level talks inside Russia will begin next week, everyone needs to be on their “Best Behavior”.
I’ll be watching as I watched from the West Wall in Baltimore Inner Harbor, 1990 - 1994. I will be available as will proceed as ordered by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States.
I’m beginning my Physical Fitness exercises to be weight and strength compliant per our fantastic SECDEF Hegseth. I stand proud to be an American!
Very respectfully yours!
… and grateful for this Chart Room Map.
Kindly keep me informed as to the Russian success through the Baltic Challenge. Nurse Jane watching and waiting for the Lights … God Bless my shipmates!
You're being silly. Russia has a long history of bullying its neighbors. Putin invaded because the bullying failed and his puppet, Yanukovych, tried to betray his country and Ukrainians rose up against it. No one bullied Russia. They did stand up to Putin, adn Putin can not abide that. That is why he invaded Georgia, and now Ukraine. Georgia lost, but Ukraine has stood against Putin, adn the war is going very poorly for Russia. In fact, over the last year, the war has turned against Russia.
By the bye, your "investigations" have not revealed what you wish them to reveal. Recent incursions were by Russian drones. Russian aircraft have also violated western airspace.
It is sad when we talk about NATO and, separately, the coalition of the willing. The entire NATO should be that!
Putin may not be very impressed with any IMO convention or what any western admiralty lawyer has to say.
Seizing ships for whatever reason may be regarded by him as an act of war and unlike the attack on his nuclear triad he may act.
I think NATO had better be very careful about using the word blockade as it is juggling dynamite and flamethrowers at the same time.
Fortunately, Starmer and Macron can now call upon their new ally Palestine for help if it come to outright war with Russia.
Given the state of the Russian military, I do not see that Russia can "act" much if the ghost fleet ships are impounded. An outright war with Russia isn't going to happen as Putin has shot his bolt in Ukraine and has precious little he could deploy against the west. He can whine a ot about how he is at war with NATO, but he brought it on himself by invading.
And you know this how?
It's called observation. Acquaint yourself with it.
You were over there to observe things?
Are you that desperate to win what you think is an argument?
If they won’t sell the Russian ships insurance, do they get to do the seizure thing based on lack of insurance?
Don’t be misled by the legal smoke and mirrors.
The issue is whether or not Europe is willing to go to all out war with Russia.
It’s the waving fists in front of the other person’s face and saying “I’m not hitting you, why are you mad?”
I’ve watched it all play out over the past twenty years and it’s so tiring.
Ukraine was a depressing post-soviet kleptocracy that was harmless.
So we turned it into an armed proxy and then ran the full propaganda treatment.
Starmer and Macron are willing to fight to the last Ukrainian.
I continue to be amazed by the animosity toward Russia.
Unlike China, we never lost a single job or factory to Russia.
Russia is not the USSR unless we make it so by making Putin conclude that security requires Russia to reoccupy all the former Soviet republics.
Putin is still KGB and is an unreconstructed Soviet. Russia can't occupy Ukraine, so how is he going to occupy anything else? Putin wants the USSR back in fact, if not name.
The Russians claim they are making progress. Every day another town seems to fall. Are they lying?
They are. They have lied from the start.
Then if they are lying about advancing we have nothing to worry about so we can go home.
IT would be nice were that true. Like so many that are deluded about what is going on, you just thrown things up against the wall hoping they stick.
Russia has been stopped, adn things are going to get far, far worse for than than they are now. Seeing Putin defeated in Ukraine is in the interests of the entire west, including the US.
By the bye, all we have there is a training mission and the Attachés. We are already home.
Why is it in our interest? Ukraine seems irrelevant to me.
Cold War ended and all the cold warriors in D.C. didn’t want to get real jobs so they had to keep up the regime change activities
Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Norway and the rest of the chihuahuas should frequently check to make sure the US still has their back.
If Putin tries anything with any NATO country, he will be committing state suicide. Even if the US does nothing, their economies are untouched adn they already have modern weapons that are far superior to anything Putin has.
What do any of these NATO countries have that Putin would want?
Russia has asked for Europe many times. The Soviets did, Yeltsin did, and Putin has as well. There is much Europe has that Putin wants. To know what does not take much observation or thought. Putin's moronic war has demonstrated many things.
You can make an argument that the Soviet Union wanted Europe for ideological reasons (promote communism), but what's in these countries that Russia would risk a war for?
People and modern industry. The USSR intended to take Europe if the opportunity presented itself.
Russia is not the USSR, and your assertion has already been debunked. Say something else.