18 Comments
User's avatar
Lee Fischman's avatar

Wow, Wes. This was an amazingly well-written piece, both in its technical analysis and its morality.

Neural Foundry's avatar

Exceptional breakdown of this defensive system. The comparision to Army doctrine really clarifies how Ukraine turned geometry and timing into an attrition multiplier. Most folks miss that drones dont just add visibility, they totally shift the cost equation becuase defenders can trade cheap munitions for expensive manpower. Seen this kind of feedback loop in other domains but dunno if anyones ever executed it this brutally at scale.

siegfried59's avatar

Excellent piece. Ty

Boflys's avatar

Great article. What Brigade were you in at the 101st?

Wes O'Donnell's avatar

Hey! 2nd battalion “No Slack” at 327th infantry regiment

Thanks for reading!

Boflys's avatar

Great unit! Almost as good as ⛩!

Wes O'Donnell's avatar

Rakkasans in the house!

Little Gray's avatar

Thanks from this old ‘C Ration’ guy!

Nigel Brazier's avatar

Ground Robots are mutating fast, the fixed/ mobile machine gun has proved its worth , Others are also gaining momentum and as you have said Russian Robotics efforts in attack probably give hope to the suicidal recruits.Interactions between both aircraft drones and Ground drones using Ai are in development.

Kevin Egan's avatar

So clearly described! Question: does Ukraine scatter leaflets etc that encourage Russian cannon fodder to desert, even at the risk of gruesome punishment? Can they desert to Ukraine?

Wes O'Donnell's avatar

Great question: Yes. Ukraine does run active surrender and defection messaging aimed at Russian troops. Some of it is traditional, like leaflets and loudspeakers, but most of it is modern. Drones drop surrender instructions, radio and phone messaging targets Russian units, and Telegram channels amplify the same message: you can survive this war, and there is a way out.

Russian soldiers can surrender to Ukraine, and many already have. Ukraine operates a formal POW program that follows the Geneva Conventions, offering medical care, food, and contact with families. That matters to mobilized troops who were told surrender meant certain death.

Scipio1776's avatar

So Russia holds approximately 25% of the disputed territory. They can deploy the same against a Ukrainian attack.

billy mccarthy's avatar

and american politicians want to fill the front line with 18 year old ukranians while ukraine can manage fine without them

Arrr Bee's avatar

What on earth are you talking about?

billy mccarthy's avatar

look back at their attempts to get ukraine to lower the conspriction age to 18

Arrr Bee's avatar

What on earth does that have to do with “American politicians”?

billy mccarthy's avatar

[lease read my last reply

Arrr Bee's avatar

No names, no information, no conclusion. I’m going to pass, thanks.