Ukrainian pilots arrive in Poland to pick up donated fighter jets

[Wicked Blue]

POLITICO

By Paul McLeary

02/28/2022 06:16 PM EST

Ukrainian pilots have arrived in Poland to start the process of taking control of fighter planes they expect to be donated by European countries, a Ukrainian government official told POLITICO.

The potential transfer of older Russian-made planes to be used in combat against Russian forces could be the most significant moment yet in a wave of promised arms transfers over the past 24 hours that includes thousands of anti-armor rockets, machine guns, artillery and other equipment.

It’s not clear just yet what countries are donating the jets, but European Union security chief Josep Borrell pledged over the weekend that the EU would fund the transfer the fighter planes from multiple countries.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/28/ukrainian-pilots-arrive-in-poland-to-pick-up-donated-fighter-jets-00012560

[C_U_L8R]

1. There's a Russian column just waiting to be blown to bits.

Safe flying.

[Wednesdays]

6. Many on this DU thread's comments say, "Not so fast..."

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216418476

[C_U_L8R]

8. Hmmm. Maybe a better job for drones.

[Happy Hoosier]

13. HARMs and then Predators with hellfires. NT

[EarthFirst]

2. Hit up that convoy on the way back home! nt

[Eyeball_Kid]

3. There's a huge convoy of Russian military vehicles heading toward Kyiv.

My guess is that the UKR is waiting to "see the whites of their eyes" before crippling the convoy.

[groundloop]

28. Just saw a video of that convoy..... seems that it could 'easily' be crippled

It appears that a few well placed cruise missiles or drone attacks of vehicles at the front of the column could bring it to a screeching halt.

[JoanofArgh]

4. Yes! Now go bomb that convoy.

[avebury]

5. Malcolm Nance talking to Ali Velshi

speculated that the Ukrainians were being very strategic
even letting the Russians advance whey they want the to.

That could be why they are good at wiping out Russian tanks. When you don’t have a military of equal size, it has to be all about strategy, playing a multi-dimensional chess game. Putin really isn’t using strategy. He probably thought he could role right in and the would collapse.

[electric_blue68]

7. Interesting!

[Cheezoholic]

12. its called trapping amongst other things

its a basic defensive move.

[Happy Hoosier]

14. It is certainly easier to kill armour in cities.

The Ukrainians need to use ambush tactics as much as possible and avoid straight-up fights.

[DallasNE]

19. I Would Think That You Would Hit

Both ends of the convoy at the same time to block an escape route. And then you prioritize targets and go about your business. Vehicles with mounted guns first down to supply trucks last.

[Kid Berwyn]

9. Donating a wing of A-10s would be nice.

That 3-mile column has grown to 20 miles.

[dchill]

10. My thought exactly!

The column is now being reported as 40 mi. long.

[Cheezoholic]

15. Phreaking armed crop-dusters could take out that column

I would assume there's quite a few of polish Kruks amongst other agriculture aircraft in Ukraine. wink wink

[BGBD]

22. EU is sending SU-25s

which are the soviet equivalent of the A-10. I'd rather have our planes than those, but Ukrainian pilots are already trained on that platform.

[Sapient Donkey]

25. Ukraine doesn't have trained pilots, support crews/equipment for those western planes

Those SU-25s will do the trick, though.

Which is sad, because if they are successful that means Putin sent a lot of young Russian men to die. But at the same time, it would be sad if they are not successful because Putin sent a bunch of young Russian men to kill innocent Ukrainians. I wish they would just turn around and go home.

[Crunchy Frog]

29. I won't be sad. Their sacrifice will have been for a good cause.

I don't think that Putin could survive such a devastating loss.

[DanieRains]

11. Russians Have The Best Anti Aircraft System In The World We Can't Strafe The Column

Attacking it from the sides makes more sense.

They can possibly take out the Russian ships though.

[Happy Hoosier]

18. Yeah. Sure.

You don’t think we have tactics to deal with stuff like that? And our pilots actually train with regularity.

[DanieRains]

21. I Heard The Old MIGs The Ukrainians Fly Would Be Dead Meat

That was one "expert's" opinion.

I don't know.

[Happy Hoosier]

30. Well they would IF...

... they were to fly into the teeth of the S-400's without prep.

But there are other things that can be done. Drones, ECM, etc. But I think nit's moot. I think their plan is lure the armor into the cities and then rain hell on them from every side.

I hope so. Those fuckers cannot be allowed to get away with this. If we allow it, it is to eternal shame.

[BGBD]

23. If they had the best AA systems in the world....

they wouldn't be a week into this thing and still not have control of the sky.

Time to face facts, Russian military capabilities as far less than advertised. Shouldn't be a shock with decades of limited military action, corruption, poor maintanence, and buying their own bullshit.

[Cheezoholic]

24. Dont underestimate them

They havent played all their cards. Strategy and outright brutality can negate technology or heart.. Theres a reason to respect the Russian military especially on the ground. The brutality they are capable of is their strongest weapon.

[Sapient Donkey]

27. I don't think anyone underestimated the Russian military

People seem surprised as to why it's not dominating the way everyone would have expected. It's hard to think of the 4D chess play that Putin could be trying to pull off here by giving the Ukrainians time to fortify and arm up. Particularly not controlling the skies.

[Sapient Donkey]

26. Amazingly those Turkish drones seem to have had a bit success

When I first read stories of Ukraine having like 15 of them I thought there was no way those would be useful, but apparently the Russians do not control the skies from the air or ground.

[DENVERPOPS]

16. I suspect that this is why Putin has been targeting

airports, military air bases, and any runway that could be used for military or civilian purposes........

I wonder where these jets plan on landing.????? If they do land, certainly Putin's radar will tell him exactly where they are. And of course they have to get by his SAM missles............

And all these weapons that are being donated. Do they have to be flown in ????????

[Happy Hoosier]

20. There are operating airfields in the West.

[Cha]

17. What a Moment for them and

the World!

TY!

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