Ukrainian Foreign Legion

[Art]

Enough foreign volunteers have shown up in Ukraine to form a free standing unit that has been designated "The Ukrainian Foreign Legion." Americans form the largest number but their are also Brits, Canadians, Frenchmen, Spaniards and Italians. Almost all are prior military and I've seen interviews with some of these guys, including a Brit who were all combat arms guys with a heavy dose of special forces. Enough Brits have signed up that an official statement was issued by the Brit 'gubnmint discouraging anyone who was not prior military from taking the trip. Interestingly they aren't discouraging military veterans from going. The Ukrainians are asking for a commitment of one year from these people.

The Ukrainians claim this is a division strength unit, but even if its a brigade its a significant development.

Moulding this group of different nationalities into a cohesive unit will take a bit of time but this could be a very effective unit in the Ukrainian military.

[lyman]

Enough foreign volunteers have shown up in Ukraine to form a free standing unit that has been designated "The Ukrainian Foreign Legion." Americans form the largest number but their are also Brits, Canadians, Frenchmen, Spaniards and Italians. Almost all are prior military and I've seen interviews with some of these guys, including a Brit who were all combat arms guys with a heavy dose of special forces. The Ukrainians are asking for a commitment of one year from these people.

The Ukrainians claim this is a division strength unit, but even if its a brigade its a significant development.

Moulding this group of different nationalities into a cohesive unit will take a while but this could be a very effective unit in the Ukrainian military.

I've heard rumors of such a group,

not surprisingly,

there is a glut of folks that still want to fight from the middle eastern adventures

[Art]

It looks like its passed the rumor stage.

Again, the Brits have issued a statement discouraging people with no military experience from going while not actively discouraging military vets from going. There is apparently a lot of "wink, wink, nod, nod" about this activity among western governments including ours.

[togor]

After the morass of S and SW Asia where friend and foe are indistinguishable, people finally get into a fight where they see a clear line between who is right and who is wrong.

And I think a good chunk of our part of the world feels it too. Filling the tank yesterday, a guy nods to me and I say "looks like we're paying a 'Putin tax'," and he says "I'm okay with not buying Russian oil". Now how much Russian oil gets to us (very little) isn't the point. He was a guy about my age who remembers the Soviet days, said he even had an old Fallout Shelter sign as a souvenir.

Enough of this crap. If Russians want to have nice lives then they have to get their sh*t together as a self governing people.

[Art]

Enough of this crap. If Russians want to have nice lives then they have to get their sh*t together as a self governing people.

Exactly.

[lyman]

read a report this morning that Russia has adopted (years ago, as well as China) their own systems, similar to SWIFT,

so the sanctions may be a short term pain, but eventually the Russians, and Chinese will not trade using the USD as a monetary value,

at least not like today

[Art]

read a report this morning that Russia has adopted (years ago, as well as China) their own systems, similar to SWIFT,

so the sanctions may be a short term pain, but eventually the Russians, and Chinese will not trade using the USD as a monetary value,

at least not like today

True, but you will still have the problem of the average Russian's credit cards no longer working and not being able to get support for their phones. When the credit cards went down yesterday thousands of Russians on public transportation, who use their phone to pay for everything, suddenly found they couldn't get through the turnstiles. From now on, not only will a Russian not be able to buy a new Ford, Toyota or a Mercedes won't be able to get repair parts, and that's a lot of people.

I'm sure the Rooskies will come up with some work arounds, especially since the ChiComs have their backs but I also think the good times the average Russians have had for 20 years are going to stop rolling.

[barretcreek]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ppliers-to-u-s

Russian oil is significant according to this article. Regardless cut him off.

[Vern Humphrey]

Hmmm . . . might go myself. I am certified, after all, to command a brigade.

[dogtag]

I wish those guys luck. How are they being armed ? Armour support ?
Who's in command ?

[Vern Humphrey]

I wish those guys luck. How are they being armed ? Armour support ?
Who's in command ?

Very good questions. From the clips we see, there are a lot of AK 74s -- better bring your ear muffs (and plugs, too.) They're clearly getting a lot of Western equipment -- I believe it was a Stinger that shot down the helicopter. I haven't seen enough to tell what kinds of commo equipment they have -- and good commo is vital.

And remember what Pershing said -- the French and British were pressing him to parcel out the American army and he later said "I knew they were willing to fight to the last American."

[togor]

Fun fact:

Americans bled more generously under Pershing than under the more experienced English and French commands.

So a pithy quote from Ol' Black Jack but literally the opposite of actually transpired.

[Art]

Many of the volunteers are special operators not used to or interested in operating as a part of a regular infantry unit so that could get interesting.

Infantry small arms will be basically AK74s, along with RPK74 and PKM machine guns, all good weapons and very user friendly. There will also be a collection of anti tank and man portable air defense weapons, many US but many of Russian origin.

Command structure could get very interesting.

[togor]

Trump sold them .50 BMG Barrets in addition Javelins. The Russians now field entire sniper companies shooting .338 Lapua and so the Ukrainians wanted to get their hands on equipment that can outrange them.

[lyman]

50 cal Barrets get outranged by 338 Lapua?