From Advanced Orlan-10 UAV to T-80 tanks, Russian Army leaves “valuable gifts” for Ukraine in Kharkiv

https://www.defenceview.in ^ | September 11, 2022 | admin@defenceview

[PIF]

NO most tanks where just abandoned where they sat in fighting positions. Want one? just drive it off the lot free.

When one is in a hurry to leave an area in panic - and the choice is either a wheeled or tracked vehicle - guess which one get left behind?

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

6 tanks here, 9 tanks there are “massive” to reporters seeking a headline, but inconsequential to the standard Russian Mechanized Brigade which can have up to 60 tanks. Tank brigades have more.

Right. I read somewhere else that they have supposedly recovered enough armor to equip 5 mech brigades, which clearly is bogus. Reporters who either deliberately exaggerate or just lack perspective/knowledge are annoying as hell.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

We had reports of Russia bringing some ancient T-62's out of mothballs because they were running out of other more modern stuff. You don't do that if you have hundreds of operational T-62's, T-72's, T-80's, T-90's just sitting in massive vehicle parks doing nothing but waiting to be used as replacements.

To the extent Russia still has significant armor remaining, it is overwhelming going to be already dispersed in the field to operating battalions and brigades, not sitting in a park to be captured.

[alexander_busek]

6 tanks here, 9 thanks tanks there are “massive” to reporters seeking a headline, but inconsequential to the standard Russian Mechanized Brigade which can have up to 60 tanks. Tank brigades have more.

Destroying or rendering nonoperational 10% of an enemy force is routinely referred to as "decimating" (reducing by a tenth) it. It should not be casually dismissed or minimized.

Besides the tangible effect, it also has a tremendous impact upon morale.

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

I believe all of us should recognize the miracle of this hoped for end to the Russian invasion and that each of us should direct all honor and praise be given to Almighty God for answer to world-wide hope-filled prayer for Ukrainian victory.

Thank the Lord - but pass the ammunition!

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

In the history of warfare, its a very common practice.

No links. So, nothing more than the idle speculation of an armchair military strategist.

Thanks, "Concern Troll!"

Regards,

[UMCRevMom@aol.com]

“Thank the Lord - but pass the ammunition!”

Amen. May the Lord sustain support for the Ukraine military in the defense of their nation.

[ansel12]

I haven’t seen any reports of booby traps or even the spiking of guns during this war, it has puzzled me.

I like it, but it is a mystery, maybe the average Russian soldier just isn’t sophisticated enough or intense enough to get that involved at that level.

During this retreat though, time and panic and fear of being captured and punished, and even lack of (easy) means and interest may be accounting for skipping it.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Again, the point isn't that Russia doesn't have that number of tanks. The point is that Russia doesn't have enough extra tanks to keep large number of operational tanks idle in massive vehicle parks.

"Decimating" is an old Roman term not used by modern military forces, which tend to go with "neutralized" for 10% casualties, and "destroyed" for 30%. That is based largely on the axiom that each soldier killed or wounded (especially the latter) takes 2 others to care for/transport him.

But it's important to realize that those are short-term statuses from which units can reorganize and recover. They don't get the troops back, and so are not at full-strength. But they can easily become operationally capable again even if they've lost 30% of their starting strength.

[DUMBGRUNT]

—”My guess is that most of the mech recovered will be stuff that wasn’t working and that was set for repair. Maybe some towed assets, etc.,”

That said, Now Ukraine has received more equipment from enemy troops than from the BIG TOE of Europe, Germany.