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I keep seeing all these "experts are perplexed" type of articles pop up everywhere on the internet, the West fails to understand that Russians are just incompet

by Giorgi 5y ago

I keep seeing all these "experts are perplexed" type of articles pop up everywhere on the internet, the West fails to understand that Russians are just incompetent, they have only few capable pilots and those are afraid of fly missions in the skies that are saturated with Stingers and various USSR era SAM batteries.

arc-in-space 5y ago
I think it's safer to assume the worst and have alternative explanations beyond mere incompetence
- actionfromafar 5y ago
  Incompetence can be the worst scenario. "If all else fails, grind down civilian population with medieval siege and artillery."
laichzeit0 5y ago
Well... take a look at one of the pilots they shot down. This guy was apparently also flying missions in Syria. If this one guy's physical condition is any indication of the type of pilots Russia is putting in the field, they are seriously fucked. And before "propaganda", "fake news" etc. There are interviews with him after he was captured, while he's still got that bandage around his neck. It's actually a hilarious interview, basically he says he didn't know what he was doing there, didn't know he was bombing civilians and the Ukranian asks him if he didn't see the cars driving around, or if he thought they were driving themselves like Elon Musk wanted. [1] https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/russian-su-34-shot-down-pilot-captured-and-identified.6709689/ https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/russian-su-34-sho...
- wolverine876 5y ago
  Where are some interviews with credible sources? Also, this person's life is in the hands of their captors; they will say whatever is most likley to keep them alive, including what their captors tell them to say. Generally, it's illegal to put POWs in that position. I verymuch support Ukrainians, their freedom, and their democratic government, but POW interviews are propaganda.
  - laichzeit0 5y ago
    What would even count as a “credible source”? It’s a cellphone video from someone in the warzone, it’s raw footage from the source. Yes I get he could and would say anything, they’re all saying the same shit.
    - wolverine876 5y ago
      > What would even count as a “credible source”? They are indeed hard to find in war, if that's what you mean, but there are good sources - intercepted communications, for example; anonymous interviews with current Russian soldiers; interviews with people they talk to; etc etc > It’s a cellphone video from someone in the warzone, it’s raw footage from the source. Raw footage is less credible. It lacks the fact-checking around it. The NY Times, for example, has put dozens of reporters in Ukraine to corroborate, fact-check, etc. - that's the value of actual journalists compared to some video on the Internet. > they’re all saying the same shit. I have seen that but it could be that Ukrainian messaging is consistent, and spreading messages that enemy morale is low is a very common, basic tactic. However, there seems to be other evidence of low morale. However true it is, I'm glad Ukraine is doing it effectively!
Ancapistani 5y ago
> the West fails to understand that Russians are just incompetent Why would we believe that? No army has ever lost a war because they overestimated the strength of the enemy army.
tim333 5y ago
Maybe more unmotivated than incompetent.
- wolverine876 5y ago
  Motivation is part of the job of the leaders of the military, all the way up to Putin. Understanding the motivation level is also part of the job.

by Giorgi 5y ago

arc-in-space 5y ago

I think it's safer to assume the worst and have alternative explanations beyond mere incompetence

actionfromafar 5y ago
Incompetence can be the worst scenario. "If all else fails, grind down civilian population with medieval siege and artillery."

laichzeit0 5y ago

Well... take a look at one of the pilots they shot down. This guy was apparently also flying missions in Syria. If this one guy's physical condition is any indication of the type of pilots Russia is putting in the field, they are seriously fucked. And before "propaganda", "fake news" etc. There are interviews with him after he was captured, while he's still got that bandage around his neck. It's actually a hilarious interview, basically he says he didn't know what he was doing there, didn't know he was bombing civilians and the Ukranian asks him if he didn't see the cars driving around, or if he thought they were driving themselves like Elon Musk wanted. [1] https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/russian-su-34-shot-down-pilot-captured-and-identified.6709689/ https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/russian-su-34-sho...

wolverine876 5y ago
Where are some interviews with credible sources? Also, this person's life is in the hands of their captors; they will say whatever is most likley to keep them alive, including what their captors tell them to say. Generally, it's illegal to put POWs in that position. I verymuch support Ukrainians, their freedom, and their democratic government, but POW interviews are propaganda.
- laichzeit0 5y ago
  What would even count as a “credible source”? It’s a cellphone video from someone in the warzone, it’s raw footage from the source. Yes I get he could and would say anything, they’re all saying the same shit.
  - wolverine876 5y ago
    > What would even count as a “credible source”? They are indeed hard to find in war, if that's what you mean, but there are good sources - intercepted communications, for example; anonymous interviews with current Russian soldiers; interviews with people they talk to; etc etc > It’s a cellphone video from someone in the warzone, it’s raw footage from the source. Raw footage is less credible. It lacks the fact-checking around it. The NY Times, for example, has put dozens of reporters in Ukraine to corroborate, fact-check, etc. - that's the value of actual journalists compared to some video on the Internet. > they’re all saying the same shit. I have seen that but it could be that Ukrainian messaging is consistent, and spreading messages that enemy morale is low is a very common, basic tactic. However, there seems to be other evidence of low morale. However true it is, I'm glad Ukraine is doing it effectively!

Ancapistani 5y ago

> the West fails to understand that Russians are just incompetent Why would we believe that? No army has ever lost a war because they overestimated the strength of the enemy army.

tim333 5y ago

Maybe more unmotivated than incompetent.

wolverine876 5y ago
Motivation is part of the job of the leaders of the military, all the way up to Putin. Understanding the motivation level is also part of the job.