Offside (General Discussion)

Joseph Clark37 said:Of course they would notice if we started taking down their aircraft like flies, especially if ground forces started losing high-value assets at an even higher rate than before. What do you think Putin would do then? Would he just immediately drop nukes and commit suicide for the entire Russian state and its people? Not a chance...

mellowotter36 said:What exactly would they do about it?

Well then, you might as well just commit NATO to direct involvement.
So, that leaves us with the real question: what exactly would they actually do?

Joseph Clark37 said:Of course they would notice if we started taking down their aircraft like flies, especially if ground forces started losing high-value assets at an even higher rate than before. What do you think Putin would do then? Would he just immediately drop nukes and commit suicide for the entire Russian state and its people? Not a chance...

So what if they actually manage to take down a NATO plane? What's your move then?

Oh yeah, I bet you think they aren't even capable of pulling that off.🤣

Just look at some old relic from the USSR days flying over Washington, D.C.—nobody even notices anything until the damn thing hits the ground.

Joseph Clark37 said:The Russians are also receiving help from foreign fighters.

Maybe when I start handing out unsolicited advice like you do, then I'll consider reporting people.

Joseph Clark37 said:If I were in the driver's seat of the US government, I'd deploy two or three divisions to Poland. I'd take about a dozen of our most advanced drones, paint them in Ukrainian colors, and run 24/7 missions over Ukraine. I'd station two squadrons of F-22s along the border between Romania and Ukraine, equipped with AIM-260s, using AWACS to spot Russian aircraft and taking them down whenever the opportunity arises. I would simply dismiss every Russian accusation as pure fiction and wait for their next move...

But honestly, that’s not their priority. This whole situation feels almost too convenient for them—they can commit the bare minimum of resources while letting the Russians wear themselves out.
The US isn't looking for a massive escalation; they just want to keep Ukrainians afloat long enough to ensure the Russians don't walk away with an easy victory.

To the planners on both sides, individual lives don't really carry much weight—not even the total collapse of nations or economies.

feralcanyon73 said:So what if they actually manage to take down a NATO plane? What's your move then?

Oh yeah, I bet you think they aren't even capable of pulling that off.🤣

Just look at some old relic from the USSR days flying over Washington, D.C.—nobody even notices anything until the damn thing hits the ground.

Of course they can take down NATO aircraft and drones. That’s exactly why I’m saying they should exclusively use F-22s, flying right along the border to conduct hit-and-run engagements against Russian targets identified by AWACS. This approach limits coverage to specific parts of Ukraine while minimizing the risk of being shot down. If a plane does go down, you just replace it with a new one and keep moving. I'd be curious to see what the actual kill ratio would look like in that scenario. An outdated drone falling out of the sky doesn't prove anything, and the idea that it wasn't detected might not even be true...

Joseph Clark37 said:Of course they can take down NATO aircraft and drones. That’s exactly why I’m saying they should exclusively use F-22s, flying right along the border to conduct hit-and-run engagements against Russian targets identified by AWACS. This approach limits coverage to specific parts of Ukraine while minimizing the risk of being shot down. If a plane does go down, you just replace it with a new one and keep moving. I'd be curious to see what the actual kill ratio would look like in that scenario. An outdated drone falling out of the sky doesn't prove anything, and the idea that it wasn't detected might not even be true...

Why on earth would Americans do that?
Just wondering, honestly.

Do you seriously think they’re just saints who are gonna go to war against the Russians just for the sake of Ukraine or something?

Isn't it a little weird to you that a country of 44 million people can't even kick out maybe 100k occupiers?
And isn't it a bit strange that Ukraine used to be the third largest arms producer in the world, yet now they're getting a few rifles sent over from places like the US?

fadedridge903 said:Maybe when I start handing out unsolicited advice like you do, then I'll consider reporting people.

I don't offer advice because there isn't a single actual decision maker regarding this conflict on this forum. I’m simply stating my opinion, and frankly, what you think of it doesn't affect me...

ironranger67 said:But honestly, that’s not their priority. This whole situation feels almost too convenient for them—they can commit the bare minimum of resources while letting the Russians wear themselves out.
The US isn't looking for a massive escalation; they just want to keep Ukrainians afloat long enough to ensure the Russians don't walk away with an easy victory.

To the planners on both sides, individual lives don't really carry much weight—not even the total collapse of nations or economies.

There is certainly truth in what you're saying. However, I don't see a decisive Russian victory as anything other than a loss for the West. NATO and Russia are already at war—directly through economics and indirectly on the battlefield. An Ukrainian defeat would be a Western defeat, regardless of how many people try to wash their hands of it. Putin is just a common bully; if you don't physically push back, he'll just keep doing whatever he wants. Today it's Ukraine, tomorrow it's Moldova, and the day after, it could be the borders of Finland if they decide to join NATO. As long as that insecure little man is in power, it's only a matter of time before you're forced into some kind of military conflict with him, unless you let him satisfy his appetite wherever and however he pleases...

feralcanyon73 said:Why on earth would Americans do that?
Just wondering, honestly.

Do you seriously think they’re just saints who are gonna go to war against the Russians just for the sake of Ukraine or something?

Isn't it a little weird to you that a country of 44 million people can't even kick out maybe 100k occupiers?
And isn't it a bit strange that Ukraine used to be the third largest arms producer in the world, yet now they're getting a few rifles sent over from places like the US?

It's because Americans are already in a war against Russia, whether people choose to see it that way or not.

There are roughly 150K Russians in Ukraine, while the number of Ukrainian units capable of carrying out any serious offensive operations or major strikes against Russian forces is far too small compared to their total strength. Naturally, they are spread thin, holding urban areas and fortified positions in the East against a more powerful enemy. Where are your other suggestions even heading? Are you suggesting that because many Ukrainians are welcoming their liberators from Nazi occupation, the Russians are advancing through Ukraine at light speed?...

feralcanyon73 said:Why on earth would Americans do that?
Just wondering, honestly.

Do you seriously think they’re just saints who are gonna go to war against the Russians just for the sake of Ukraine or something?

Isn't it a little weird to you that a country of 44 million people can't even kick out maybe 100k occupiers?
And isn't it a bit strange that Ukraine used to be the third largest arms producer in the world, yet now they're getting a few rifles sent over from places like the US?

Right, because all Ukrainians are just totally irrational—they should probably just launch offensive strikes without any air support so they can get absolutely massacred by fighter jets in broad daylight. That makes perfect sense.

They’re doing exactly what they need to do. Meanwhile, you’ve got this "great patriot" Putin sending his own kids off like sheep to the slaughter. Literally. He just doesn't care. It's disgusting. Americans might be one way or another, but at least they look out for their own. Take the Gulf War, for example—they lost maybe 300 people. The Russians are already up in the thousands. This guy treats his own people like stray dogs; he doesn't even bother bringing his dead home. It's bottom of the barrel stuff.

No need to fret
Everything is going to work out just fine
Cause I'm always Ready i won't
I'm keeping a close eye on things
I'll be prepared...

Paul Sanders5 said:If the Chinese decide to jump in and back the Russians, then honestly? It’s time to start building a damn good wall. We can have our side out here in the West, they can have theirs over in the East, and we can all just go our separate ways and enjoy the peace.

This comes with the suggestion that all our local enthusiasts of Eastern influence and Cyrillic should be humanely relocated to the other side of that wall, rather than having them acting as potential fifth columnists right here at home.

@ Joseph Clark37

Here it is. The lesson begins at the 35:45 mark.
Make sure you review the entire first thread whenever you have some free time.



@ vekjo

I can't seem to locate that letter. I will post it if I happen to come across it.

Terry Howard7 said:Right, because all Ukrainians are just totally irrational—they should probably just launch offensive strikes without any air support so they can get absolutely massacred by fighter jets in broad daylight. That makes perfect sense.

They’re doing exactly what they need to do. Meanwhile, you’ve got this "great patriot" Putin sending his own kids off like sheep to the slaughter. Literally. He just doesn't care. It's disgusting. Americans might be one way or another, but at least they look out for their own. Take the Gulf War, for example—they lost maybe 300 people. The Russians are already up in the thousands. This guy treats his own people like stray dogs; he doesn't even bother bringing his dead home. It's bottom of the barrel stuff.

It’s clear you're 100% convinced they aren't even bringing them home. You're acting like there are thousands of them that nobody has ever seen, yet somehow, we just "know" the numbers are that high. 🤔

Mariupol is under heavy assault right now, facing intense artillery barrages and brutal street fighting.

Russian forces are tightening their encirclement around Kyiv. In Irpin, the situation is currently leaning about 70-30% in favor of the Ukrainians. The Russians are pushing toward 12 miles of Kyiv, though there remains a possibility to enter the city via the southern approach.

This entire group of Western bureaucrats is utterly useless.

neonfalcon16 said:It’s clear you're 100% convinced they aren't even bringing them home. You're acting like there are thousands of them that nobody has ever seen, yet somehow, we just "know" the numbers are that high. 🤔

Since nobody has died from the Russians, that must be why they are dragging those mobile crematoriums along with them... 🤦

Nathan Murphy said:No need to fret
Everything is going to work out just fine
Cause I'm always Ready i won't
I'm keeping a close eye on things
I'll be prepared...

Exactly, man! 🙏

Back in our college days, my roommates and I used to kick things off just like this—cranking that song up so loud the whole dorm would practically shake! 🤣 Man, what a hangover.

shadowcobra89 said:Since nobody has died from the Russians, that must be why they are dragging those mobile crematoriums along with them... 🤦

Man, if Himmler could get his hands on a machine like that—he’d probably turn green with envy. Seriously.

Pamela 🙏

Milanovic said just a moment ago...
"A Patriot system? Give me a break! Who’s going to be running the show? The transit conductors from the MTA?"

Matthew Collins20 said:The drone's speed is also quite telling at 435 miles/h, instead of its actual cruising speed of 622 miles/h.
That’s basically the cruising speed of a commercial airliner. Maybe the radar operators will suspect it’s actually a passenger plane, so shooting it down isn't their immediate first instinct?

This is just a massive "what if" scenario...

It moves at the literal speed of a German V1 rocket. The dimensions are almost identical, though I suspect the V1 was slightly shorter. According to urban legends, the British used to intercept them with Spitfires about eighty years ago—though they likely only managed it during the day, given they couldn't fly at night. It’s comforting to know our air force is still operating at a World War II level. ☕

I certainly hope we don't see another one rumbling through at the speed of a V2.