this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2024
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  • Ukraine appears to be targeting Russian attempts to build temporary bridges in Kursk.
  • This comes after 3 permanent bridges were reportedly destroyed by Ukraine.
  • Ukraine looks to be trying to cut off Russian forces in the region.
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[–] tal@lemmy.today 21 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (10 children)

These engineers have a shit job if the military is forcing them to work under fire.

If Russia had the ability to force Ukrainian artillery and airpower out of range of the rivers, which is probably what it'd take to keep said engineers from having to work under fire, then I suspect that there wouldn't be a need for a cross-river evacuation in the first place.

[–] KevonLooney@lemm.ee 9 points 2 months ago (8 children)

Well I'm not an expert, but it's possible to use cruise missiles and long range bombers to provide cover for the few days it might take to evacuate. Maybe they are busy blowing up apartment buildings and hospitals though.

[–] thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 10 points 2 months ago (6 children)

The issue with cruise missiles and bombers as a response to artillery fire is the response time and air defences.

A cruise missile launched from well within Russia takes long enough to reach the target that mobile artillery has sufficient time to get out. You also need a significant amount of missiles if you want to get any through the air defences.

Bombers struggle to get in range for conventional bombs without being shot down. They also have the issue of response time.

Cruise missiles and bombers are more suited to rather stationary targets, like a command Center, FOB, strongpoint or trench system.

[–] KevonLooney@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Ok then, fighter-bombers or more artillery. If the bridge is in range of Ukrainian drones, then the drone base station is in range of counter fire.

[–] WoahWoah@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think you're overestimating the staging and emplacement for a drone attack of these types. They don't need a static "drone base station."

[–] KevonLooney@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Like I said, I'm not an expert but I think big drones that can take down a bridge aren't piloted by two dudes in a bush.

[–] Johanno@feddit.org 4 points 2 months ago

They are probably controlled by one dude in a bush.

Of course you need a base for preparation, but you can drive out to the front and start the drone there.

[–] thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

The currently most viable counter to artillery in Ukraine today appears to be either fpv drones, which have relatively short range and limited payloads, or counter-battery radar + artillery, which exposes your artillery by putting it in range of enemy artillery.

Ukraine typically has more accurate artillery than Russia, and seems to win more artillery duels, but of course still has an issue because of Russias huge volume of guns.

Targeting the drone operators is definitely something both sides do- they were considered priority targets last time I heard someone mention it. The issue, as someone else pointed out, is locating and hitting a small, highly mobile person or group that can operate from behind cover and concealment. That turns out to be pretty hard. Just consider that an infantryman's primary survival strategy is "stay hidden when you can, covered when you can, and move as fast as possible when exposed", and that drone operators are doing exactly that, while also not needing to stick their head out to be effective.

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