Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Lol

I'm surprised (happily) they announced so many. I wasn't expecting that much as an initial donation.

They just need to sort out the training. I know it appears they have started the training.... But it was announced many times over the past few months that training had begun.

19 plans also confirmed as coming from Denmark. I presume that's part of the overall 42 figure and not on top of that figure ?

Hopefully other countries will also donate but it's def a great start

They've been doing stealth mobilisation for months now

A general call for full mobilisation would do a number of things

1. Show they are struggling in the war

2. Completely kill off the Russian economy

3. Not sure Russia has the hardware or firepower to support a fully mobilised country.

That would be an even better outcome.

On a side note, I was delighted to see their lunar mission failed.

My understanding is that the Dutch number does not include the 19 Danish aircraft, which would bring the total force up to 61 aircraft. A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation based on a squadron size of 14 aircraft would mean that this package yields four squadrons, with five unallocated aircraft over for flight training etc.. Oryx is certainly listing them separately.

EDIT: The bigger question for me is how many of these aircraft will be single seaters and how many will be double-seaters suitable for conversion training as well as fighting. Eventually, the Ukrainian Air Force will have to train its own pilots as well, so a number of double-seaters would undoubtedly be helpful in order to make the force sustainable in the long run.

Shoigu getting fired is similar news to Belarus entering the war, Medvedev threatening the west with nuclear attacks, and Russia doing something suspicious at the Enerhodar nuclear plant.

The security services' suggestion that Russia should really really start fighting the war is fantasy - they don't really have anything they can realistically escalate with.

Several Russian telegram channels have started reporting that Robotyne is under Ukrainian control. Hopefully hear confirmation in a few days from the Ukrainians themselves.

I would imagine that the Dutch will hand over theirs as soon as possible, even if they have to wait a number of months for them to be replaced by F-35s.

MH17 hasn't been forgotten.

The only thing I can see if they do go full mobilisation is make their economy go into full war footing. I mean have most of their industries go to war footing. Full 24 shifts making drones, artillery etc. Close their borders and have their men brought Into the military. I don't know if this will happen but it is probably 1 of the last roll of the dices for Russia. Full on war footing. Hopefully not but it's probably all they can do, I hope they don't but time will tell.

In case anyone hasn't yet seen what Robotyne is like, this is it.

That's what I think. He has to go full in now. Either that or give up on Ukraine. I suppose he is been told be those around him, here Ukraine are getting fighter planes now, next it will be bombers they will want, after that they will be asking for..... They could spin it and say Ukraine are been giving fighter planes by NATO and they will bomb Russian cities and say that to the Russian people. I just think it is getting to a point in the conflict for Russia that Ukraine will possibly get the upper hand and there will be no way back for Russia then. So like that if your going to possibly lose why wouldn't you go all in, the way it's going possible Russia will lose but if they got 100% on war footing and they concentrate their economy towards this then Putin/Russia might sadly have a chance and I expect it's getting to a point where this will happen. I think up until the end of September is crucial for Ukraine and then I say we will see then what way Russia will go, hopefully back across their borders but I highly doubt that.

Russia will have to mobilize for this war and turn the entire country to a war footing.

Even if they did do this i don't how they are going to equip such a force.

Putin now finds himself in the situation of (A) Go home and give up the war (not going to happen) (B) Go full mobilsation but totally destroy what's left of his domestic reputation (Russian's will realize the war isn't going great). As well the Russian economy will go further to pot as everything is directed towards war or (C) Negotiate some form of agreement with Ukraine.