08-26-2024, 07:56 AM
(08-26-2024, 06:48 AM)Mick Wrote: Russian drone / missile attack, numbering in the hundreds, targeting critical civilian infrastructure. How soon before the Ukrainians adopt the same strategy?Not soon, and probably not ever. They don't have the ability to do so. Russia has several overwhelming advantages.
Zelenskyy says Russian overnight attack involved over 100 missiles and about 100 drones | AP News
Ukraine's major population centers are close to their national boundaries. Relatively short range low technology drones can reach them from nearby Russian soil. Russia's major population centers are quite far from Ukraine, so short range drones and ballistic missiles are completely off the table for them.
Russia has submarines that can launch missiles from the Black Sea with impunity. Ukraine has no such capability. Russia can also fire weapons from the Sea of Azov. Ukraine cannot.
Russia is importing massive quantities of cheap missile/droneĀ weapons from Iran and North Korea. Ukraine's partners that could supply such weapons restrict their use. Many of the weapons in this class are relatively short range and therefore of limited utility in Ukrainian service anyway.
Most importantly Russia possesses large stockpiles of older fast long-range air launched cruise missiles with large warheads. They also have the platforms to launch them. Ukraine does not. Russia also has platforms to launch their "new" hypersonic missiles. Ukraine has no such missiles and no such platforms.
Ukraine is building more cruise missiles with longer ranges. They are doing a very good job of this and the Palyanitsa missile can be a real PITA for Russia. It is a cheaper, simpler Tomahawk that Ukraine can use anywhere without restriction. It is doubtful Ukraine can manufacture hundreds of them, particularly quickly. Ukraine therefore will use them strategically, not as mass terror weapons. http://www.hisutton.com/Ukraine-Palyanitsa.html
