From Kyiv to Bakhmut: Lessons In Modern Day Urban Warfare

[@zvexevz]

You asked a really good question which John only partially answered. Have there been any big urban fights when Ukraine has been on the offensive? Kherson is a good example, but there are perhaps better ones in the Kharkiv operation: Kupyansk, Lyman, and the town where it all kicked off, Balakliya. The difference between how Ukraine dealt with those areas and how Russia has attempted to take urban strongpoints is revealing. I remember when the Kharkiv operation first started, there were several Russian Telegram channels saying things like "this is all a Ukrainian information operation, Russian units in Balakliya and surrounding towns continue to fight off any advance." What they didn't yet know is that at the same time as these urban battles were going on, where in some cases Russian forces did put up a good fight, Ukrainian mobile units had already bypassed those towns and were rapidly moving forward into the deep rear. Then the Russian units in those towns were given the choice alluded to by your guest, and none of them wanted to stay and die. In Lyman, Ukraine sent a few strong units to attack the city head on, and they did suffer heavy losses. Again the Russian Telegram channels bragged about this. At the same time, Ukrainian units were closing the noose around Lyman, taking the forests around Yampil, which put them very close to the Russians' only supply road. Russian command sent in reserves, which many Russian channels declared was a huge counterattack (including the "neutral" Defense Politics Asia), when in reality they were there to make a last attempt to secure the road so the whole Russian garrison in Lyman could retreat. Wagner has attempted to do something similar in Bakhmut, and the only reason they have managed to achieve some success is because they were able to take towns like Soledar and Klishchiivka. But they have no ability to do what the Ukrainians did in Kharkiv oblast, and use maneuver to bypass urban settlements, making their defense untenable. That's why the "encirclement" of Bakhmut, which was promised by so many Russian mouthpieces, never happened.

[@brodieboy3]

Agree - Russia never committed to holding out in Lyman, Kramatorsk or Kherson. When their supply/ escape routes were cut off (or more precisely in danger of being cut-off) - Russian forces retreated. Yes - one can argue superior strategy/ tactics by the AFU, but Russia isn't committed to holding territory at all costs because they really don't believe the occupied territory is Russia - Putin's bogus referenda notwithstanding. Things might be a bit different in the LPR/ DPR regions if it comes to that - who knows.

[@aov6563]

@@brodieboy3 Russia has reduced the length of the front in front of a numerically superior enemy in order to preserve its forces and restore logistical supplies. Without any subtext.

[@dereklinscott8488]

@@aov6563 Ukraine did that for them at Kharkiv, Izium and Kyiv. As a favor I guess. Retreating haphazardly while leaving behind lots of equipment is a time-honored strategic action after all.

[@aov6563]

@@dereklinscott8488 Russia's strategic regrouping did not go smoothly. during the movement on the march, any army will leave equipment that has failed or render it unusable. The best example is the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. ukr simply followed on the heels, not even trying to conduct active actions

[@dereklinscott8488]

@@aov6563 So, you are you arguing that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan was a 'success'. And that in turn shows the Russian retreats to also be 'successful' 🤣

[@blckspice5167]

Learning tactics from the Russians reminds me of a quote from The Pacific, "...he is a warrior, hardened by battle and hardship you couldn't imagine. He is always thinking of ways to put you and you buddies in a grave." Not direct qoute, a vague memory

[@PrestonStewart]

What an incredible series. Solid quote there, thanks for tossing it out.

[@zeldamage001]

Really good interview! Nice to hear someone that knows a lot about this stuff talk!

[@PrestonStewart]

Glad you liked it!

[@kjsdahl]

John Spencer is the foremost authority of Urban warfare - great interview

[@SectorSos]

This is some very good analysis. Great content, Preston. You're on the roll. Keep up the good work 👍

[@PrestonStewart]

Thanks a lot!

[@peterpaul7932]

THANK YOU SIR! really GREAT and profound interview preston - thanks for bringing your guest to us. he has several points, please continue to bring us such awesome expert interviews !

[@Jack_Redview]

Felt like you cut him short a bit at the end, or maybe it was just me. I think giving the guest a minute to self promote would be a nice gesture to have as alot of podcast style conversations do it, it allows a smoother transition to your end cut Great interview regardless, always happy to see your posts. Hope you take my criticism in a constructive manner and not as hate.

[@PrestonStewart]

Appreciate the feedback. Solid points and worth my working on.

[@modnarpias]

Only had time to sit down for this now. Thorough and interesting as I've come to expect from your videos! Keep 'em coming Preston! :)

[@davesaunders568]

Brilliant Preston, a very informative piece. As an ex Territorial, now known as Army Reserve, FIBUA, ( Fighting In Built Up Areas) now called something else. Was one of the, if not the hardest skills to master. Your guest was so very knowledgeable. Again congratulations and many thanks. 👏

[@drmarkintexas-400]

Thank you for sharing 🎖️🏆🇺🇸🙏

[@terryoneil7128]

Really incredible to have access to this! Your channel is phenomenal!

[@PrestonStewart]

Appreciate the kind words! Always fun to chat with John

[@pedroprague]

Great video! Thanks guys! Greatings from Slovakia.

[@gereonpink]

Best example is the Battle for Monte Casino in WW2 After bombing it,it was a lot harder to take..

[@AaronP_123]

This was a total pleasure to listen to! Thanks guys!

[@PrestonStewart]

Glad you liked it!

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

Hello sir, since you commanded a battery of HIMARS, were you surprised with how effective the system has been in Ukraine or was it what you expected? I know it is off topic but I have wanted to hear your opinion sir. Thank you , I love your work

[@PrestonStewart]

Hey man, appreciate the note! I was surprised. It’s a tool in our arsenal but we didn’t really view them as having the impact they are. Just speaking for myself there. Of course all of our use was against unconventional adversaries.

[@brodieboy3]

@@PrestonStewart I'm guessing you and others in the US military are surprised at the effectiveness of long-range precision strike artillery/ missiles, because US military hasn't had to rely solely on ground based assets to prepare & own the battlefield. Instead, US military tactics/ doctrine is overly reliant on air assets preparing the battlefield and being a facilitator for the hopium of 'combined arms maneuver warfare' that's a heckuva lot easier said than done when you don't have air supremacy or anything close to it like the AFU. It's easy to lay out a plan when you assume - as the US always does - that we'll have superior fire power at every level (artillery, armor and air power) and always have the ability to change the battlefield dynamics if things get rough by calling for more CAS or long-range precision air strikes - or both. No US campaign has had to assume that they'd ONLY be able to rely on artillery, armor, long-range missile fires and infantry moving under fire to take and hold ground - and also not be assured that they have superiority in those areas either. I'm guessing that what the AFU is doing day-in and day-out with almost no air cover or air strike capability and a deficit in equipment & munitions is opening up a lot of eyes and that their officer corps are going to be giving seminars to the rest of NATO when this thing is over. Obviously, things would be a heckuva lot easier for the AFU if they had more long-range fire assets to interdict logistics, transportation and supply routes coming into occupied Ukraine from Russia. Crimea in particular could be isolated and the Russian Black Sea Fleet and air bases in Crimea would have to be relocated if Ukraine had the 46 retired Australian F-18 Hornets that are sitting in a warehouse. Those planes are already cleared to use long-range anti-ship and land attack cruise missiles. It's the same with ATACMS. There's been talk that the US finally OK'd providing GLSDBs w/ 150 km range - but have they actually been delivered and how many .. 4 .. 5? You get my point - would any General in the US Army have a great plan for implementing a successful offensive if they had zero modern aircraft and helicopters and the grab ass combination of equipment and munitions that Ukraine has at its disposal? It's ridiculous that the West has slow-walked assistance to the AFU. As General Hodges keeps asking - why won't US and NATO leadership stand-up and say they are committed to helping Ukrainian forces drive Russian forces out of Ukraine and coming up with an actually viable/ workable plan to get them the equipment they actually need to accomplish that. The recently announced deal whereby UKR will use funds donated by the US and the EU to buy 200-250 Polish 8x8 Rosomak IFVs makes sense. Waiting for various countries to donate 2-10 tanks of varying configurations doesn't. We all know how EU and US assistance ought to be handled. I'd love to hear you do a podcast discussing why it's not happening. Ukraine is in an existential fight for survival and yet the collective West is refusing to sell/ supply them with the weapons and equipment they would be falling all over themselves to sell to Ukraine if it wasn't at war with Russia. It makes zero sense - other than the weak-kneed 'don't want to escalate' arguments that have been proven false and ridiculous anyway given that Putin has had no qualms about escalating things since the very start of this conflict.

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

@Preston Stewart thank you for the reply sir. I think alot of people were surprised how well the Ukrainian soldiers have used them. I didn't know much about them,I was in Afghanistan 02-08, did my 3yr stint in 2nd Ranger bat and the rest in the 10th mountain, then 12yrs as a contractor

[@murmenaattori6]

@@MrZombiekiller23 You are propaganda. A hacked account that has not posted for 4 years, and now a week ago starts posting a completely different type of content - propaganda 'news' with clickbait titles.

[@RaptorJesus]

@@MrZombiekiller23 Can't wait for the next Russian "feint" and "good-will gesture".

[@TheMcEwens419]

Thank you for a great conversation to hear. I really enjoyed it. I appreciate people sharing from experience.

[@oron61]

23:47 reminds me of how control structures are described with Russia having an old-fashioned "You get this supply; you attack that way," while the new way sounds like "No changes to the plan; you what to do. If something pops up and you need something, ring me up and I'll see what I can get you."

[@aaronataman892]

fuckkkk yes. John is great, awesome to have him on your pod again

[@Pntbllrfrk13]

Hey brother, great interview. I really appreciate the analysis on this channel, you do a great job with information dissection and delivery. One small note: when you have guests on with books, twitter, and other content, it might be helpful to state what exactly what some of those are before signing out, instead of just saying that they're in the description. Just a little more engaging for the interested listener and I'm sure your guest would appreciate it as well. Looking forward to more awesome content. I'm an ex-navy guy myself so I've been very interested to learn about how urban conflicts work in the context of this war. Thanks so much.

[@PrestonStewart]

Yessir, solid points. Appreciate the feedback!

[@mnxs]

Then again, John Spencer's list of accolades is so long, it literally takes like 2-3 paragraphs in the description 😅

[@LoveHammerMan]

Urban warfare seems like the worst thing on the planet... I've seen so many videos from both sides of the almost total lack of armor and air support. Every little multi story building becomes its own battlefield. Most of them ending when one side is FINALLY widdled down or completely surrounded. I imagine even if you survive, your adrenal gland would just be BURNT!

[@looinrims]

Read the story of “Pavlov’s House”, a siege within a siege featured in humanity’s bloodiest battle in history

[@LoveHammerMan]

@@looinrims Ah yeah from Stalingrad.... I feel like that ones on another level because of the brutality of the winter and siege.

[@murmenaattori6]

And in the end, the building is either destroyed totally via artillery, or destroyed after the defenders retreat via demolition charges. It does not get more insane than that.

[@olderchin1558]

This is a very interesting discussion. Example of Urban warfare for me would be Mosul, Aleppo, Severodonetz or Malawi in the Philippines where a few dozen insurgents held out until the City was destroyed. Combatant will move from building to building, when we say urban warfare, this isn't close quarter fighting but destroying one building after another. It is also important to note that all the open field around the towns and villages are filled with trenches and the urban center are both strong point and resupply bases. There is no flag to capture, every foot of territory, every village or farmhouse is contested and will reform to cut off your supply line or attack your flanks if you ignore them. Iraq is nothing like Ukraine, the Iraqi didn't want to fight. The Ukrainian school teacher will kill you if he can. The fight against IS was more comparable.

[@ssglbc1875]

Iraq did want to fight that’s why tens of thousands of Iraqi insurgents voluntarily fought the Iraqi army and USA army. Than the war on Isis several tens of thousands of Iraqis volunteered to fight Isis which was also another entirely volunteer force of 100,000 men.

[@olderchin1558]

@@ssglbc1875 I stand corrected. It was the Iraqi army that didn't want the fight.

[@kurosai006ichigo3]

One change in russian army in ukriane that should not go ignored is how they began to respect ukrainiam advances. In kherson, they really underestimated ukriane most of the first year would be how russian underestimated ukraine. Now they made up for that (atleast from evidence we see) is how many trenches they have dug as a strategic point of defense for russia.

[@planderlinde1969]

True. However I think that the reason the Russians started praising the Ukrainian will to fight is so whenever they start loosing they can shift the blame to the Ukrainians just fighting like cornered dogs.

[@ssglbc1875]

@@planderlinde1969 the blame is Ukraine mobilization which is heavily overlooked and western aid. Although both sides are mainly conscripts and reservist the Ukraine are dying for the homeland while Russians die for putins conquest

[@ssglbc1875]

When Russia or Ukraine denies enemy successes if just make that side look more stupid

[@kurosai006ichigo3]

Them looks hella expensive for sure. Each move costs lives, wonder which side would run out of supplies.. i mean people to sacrfice

[@LuxPete1]

Great to hear a well informed discussion

[@buglet59]

The Best, Preston!! One really does not need to watch any other point of view!!

[@gamps2771]

Its just nice listening to someone or talking to someone who has actual knowledge about a topic, doesn’t matter who he supports. I‘m sick of bbc sky news (…) wanna be- youtube analysts.

[@WordToMomsYo]

Great video.. would love to see more conversations of this sort in the future

[@Sh.I16]

In the open fields, tactics and skill play crucial role, while in a death from any window / door seems more unpredictable.

[@dj1NM3]

I've had a sneaking suspicion for months that Bakhmut has been a sort of Ukrainian "rope a dope" on the Russians to waste their men, equipment and vehicles in vast quantities, while the city itself doesn't really seem to hold any special strategic importance, it does seem to have some method of supply that doesn't seem totally dependent on the two main roads, which seem to have been within Russian artillery range for at least a few months.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Yeah I was saying the Russian battalion tactical groups wouldn't work years ago. Well before this war. You don't need "one of everything" You need tanks and armoured infantry and have the specialised units like AA attached as and when needed. Keeps you agile like Totally agree with that.

[@lobstereleven4610]

Fantastic talk with a very knowledgeable guest! 👍

[@aaronsingfield]

wow... what a conversation. Great stuff!

[@danwilliams5867]

The Brits and USA found all this out when they bombed Monte Casino in 1944. Leveled it and poof out pops the Germans fighting from the rubble again.

[@rdyer8764]

Incredible!

[@timbibin1301]

Twin Brothers split at birth.. Who agrees with me 😁😁🤔🤔.. Salute from Detroit 👌👌..

[@vitoscaleta439]

Good interview 👍🏼

[@LprogressivesANDliberals]

What I have learned: Drones (wow just wow the usage of drones & how we can combat them) What it’s like to be at war without air, ground, & see superiority (makes you appreciate 🇺🇸 our brothers even more) Never be taken prisoner, Men… fight until the last man. I would rather be dumped in a cold mud pit grave riddled with bullets and head missing then castrated alive or beheaded. Trench warfare will be analyzed and modern armies will logistically practice & be ready for trench warfare. My family fought commies in Laos for America & as first generation I will do the same in America 🇺🇸

[@ssglbc1875]

Sea superiority isn’t that important in this war and air is but it’s impossible even if the us intervened I doubt the us would have air superiority because Russian air defense and air-force but still the Russian would be pushed out in a few months if not less

[@alexwalker2582]

@@ssglbc1875 We would absolutely achieve air superiority, quickly too. We have a very effective and LARGE force of Wild Weasel pilots, combined with a truly impressive intelligence apparatus, we would find and eliminate their air defenses quickly. As for their air force....what few modern 4th gen planes they have are piloted by people with far less training than most NATO pilots, and as for the SU-57....not nearly enough numbers to be a true threat.

[@rustyheyman214]

Great interview

[@irvlalonde3915]

Great content!

[@isaacrhodes4617]

I believe it is unwise to judge to Russians harshly on how long the Battle of Bakhmut has been. Clearing Fallujah for the US Marines in 2004 took over a month while fighting maybe* 5K insurgent defenders(with essentially no real military experience). The Russians have been fighting for many months, but it is a larger city geographically and its peak had 30K defenders. The scenarios Western commentators compare the Russian's to are simply not the same. thank you Preston for this interview, you are level headed and a great reporter

[@popnorbert8465]

The 30k defenders figure requires citation. It's a rumor at best, for now. Also, Fallujah is around the same size as Bakhmut (though with 3 times the population density), Bakhmut is not significantly larger, so that example is also moot. There is no saving grace, nor any saving face for the Russian Forces in Bakhmut. Their performance has been pretty underwhelming, all things considered.

[@oniongingertomato2216]

Excellent discussion

[@PrestonStewart]

Glad you liked it!

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

Mosul was a hard fight, I was there for 2 months ths as a contractor, Desh (isis) fighters were high on meth, ied's, truck bombs, mortars and artillery, drones with semtex, snipers.

[@ssglbc1875]

I’m sure it was hard but Isis isn’t that militarized when compared to Russia or Ukraine. But it’s urban warfare it’ll always be hard just a lot harder if it’s against a strong enemy

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

@Ssg lbc I know what you mean and had I not been through it I would agree with you. But I was there and I tell you that there was nothing weak about Desh, they knew the city,had overlapping fields of fire, strong points, fall back positions, pesighted mortars and very high moral

[@paulpowerson]

Looks like army / out of army men are the last kind of the us society that are left with their senses and reasoning, easy to understand what's good and bad, get the desguise propaganda, having no MAGA mentality etc. Thank you. Дякуємо за підтримку. Дивимось вас, розуміємо, переможемо. Ї.

[@SCH292]

@@Khronogi Maga lives free in his head. He can't go a day without bringing up that word.

[@benjaminlarkey8562]

Spencer is a rockstar

[@vladm5992]

Keep in mind its mostly wagner fighting in bakhmut

[@jonchicas-hw9op]

Awesome video 📹 guys!!! Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@janvdplaat3067]

Great interview. How about next: Anna from Ukraine

[@joeylandry4933]

It’s quite alright to give Russians credit for learning from mistakes. Especially if we can take away something from studying their tactics. You would have no problem giving certain WW2 German generals credit for battles on the eastern front or perhaps a talk about Genghis Khan conquering his neighbors. Let’s keep political correctness out of military studies. One other pet peeve and I’ll shut up. At 9:40 he called it an illegal war? War is war, there’s no such thing as an illegal war. All war is the same in that one or more nations cannot solve their problems through verbal agreements and start shooting at each other. War isn’t legal or illegal, war is a tragedy each and every time. Lives are destroyed and usually the people who die don’t have a say in their participation. I love this channel for its content and though I might be mouthing off about these minor issues I don’t mean my comments as an attack. Just a back porch discussion with a hot cup of coffee ☕️🙂

[@oneaboveall1895]

It was nice to see Preston interviewing a vampire for a change 21:31

[@TysoniusRex]

So...are we talking about cutting off urban defenders where possible, and moving by? That sort of what it sounded like and, if Ukraine wants to take a lot of territory, that would seem to be the best way to achieve a swift, large breakthrough. Kind of like the island hopping campaign in the Pacific in WWII. This would require Ukraine to establish new lines at some point and defend them while the Russian urban defenders were starved out, though.

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

The only real option to overcome a destroyed city is to encircle and siege. Starvation and thirst are very motivating. Its the encircling that is the real hard part.

[@stacymcmahon453]

The thing about the Kherson campaign is that the Russians did retreat in good order because they were flanked and their positions were fairly untenable. But because they weren't per se chased out by Ukrainian forces the Russians can make these crazy claims about "goodwill gestures" and such. At this point I think all of Russia's decisions of that type are made by the seat of the pants without the kind of exhaustive (or excessive) analysis the US JCS would do. The Russian retreat from Kherson may come to seen as a strategic error since it left much of their rear areas exposed to Ukrainian fires, well down into Crimea. It certainly begs the question whether their manpower problems are even more severe than we know, to the point that they were forced to give up valuable defensive depth for being unable to properly resource it in the foreseeable future.

[@aov6563]

you are greatly mistaken in your reasoning about the retreat from Kherson. Look at the map , maybe it will tell you something

[@aov6563]

@@Khronogi quite specifically, staying in Kherson, beyond the Dnieper, is suicide. For the unintelligent😁

[@jessehachey2732]

@@aov6563 Enlighten us then 🙄 you’re being intentionally obtuse and disingenuous, SMFH 🇺🇦🌻

[@ДанилБилецкий-у7о]

I'm Russian and Ukrainian, 50/50. I can't describe my pain, when 2 our countries are killing each other... My origin is Ukrainian for 50%, and for 50% is Russian.

[@dmitriikovalchuck4733]

So who is guilty?

[@noahway13]

Talking about war and military and weapons brings out the know-it-alls.

[@tomhenry897]

Which never served or were remfs

[@noahway13]

@@tomhenry897 What? No, no, no!!! All these comments are from battle tested warriors.

[@ВасилПетров-ш5й]

Comment for the algorithm ⬆️

[@kennethhall7248]

I just hope this thing ends but knowing our leaders they are willing to shed blood as long as its yours.,

[@hardstyle8184]

Russian Kremlin troll? oh MTG and a Tucker Carlson anti-American type? Move to Moscow then.

[@stevekane4922]

In the counter attack they have to drive for the Azov coast and ignore/screen the cities, at first.

[@dalemcclure9401]

Loved the interview, great job! Now I want to know more about bees and honey production, if my wife smacks me for getting another hobby it's all your fault :)

[@pyeitme508]

Wow

[@larrymattei3903]

Does Russia have any flame tanks in its inventory? Would they have utility in the urban environment ?

[@rogerout8875]

What's a "flame tank"? Like from WW2?

[@larrymattei3903]

@@rogerout8875 m132 and To62 are 2 examples. Armored vehicle with a flamethrower. I was wondering if it could be used to root out defenders from basements.

[@jeffn8218]

Those buildings aren't some concrete bunkers. They're either brick walls with concrete support beams or plattenbau prefabricated slabs.

[@danyvarna5094]

Recognised the voice. First time I see his face.

[@robertopon]

Why can't Pregozhin be given credit, because someone decided he's the "bad guy"?

[@robertsolomielke5134]

How to win an urban war ? Same as always ; Manilla, Stalingrad, or Ortona , where tactics like 'spiderholeing' were invented , and now part of your basic training.

[@hardstyle8184]

Yeah John is great!

[@PrestonStewart]

Agreed!

[@bigman23DOTS]

Be thinking a challenger and 6 Bradley’s storming my position……I’d be Pisin my pants!!!

[@c00lsemaguy55]

The real forest Gump who would run run n run.

[@daniii024]

Either if you pro or against Ukraine; you can have nothing but respect for how to handle vs a much bigger/advanced enemy wich out classses them on every field. Im not sure France or Germany would keep up like this, with all their ''might''

[@randyadams03]

Monte Casino WW 2 a nightmare for the Allies

[@vsm_dracarys6282]

As soon as he said “Not giving any credit to Russia” he lost his credibility for me. What we people here in the US fail to take into account(since I am European who lives in the US) is that in Europe every country try is literally a fortress. From cities to villages everything is like a little castle stronghold area. The houses are not fake build like in the US and not Old rumbles like in Middle East areas. I keep hearing the whole “if the US was in Ukraine we would beat the Russians”. That’s like the most American thing ever. As much of a good military we have, this is a very very VERY different kind of fight. Even the Marines and Seals would be scared to even peak from a window. And on last note, Bakhmut is an insanely difficult city to occupy, just like YP said everything is a defended tower. Literally there are videos of US soldiers stranded in Iraq and Afghanistan and they stay all covered because there is like 1 sniper on a mountain and they waited like air support and no one got hit by even a mortar. Completely different situation in Ukraine.

[@aov6563]

you are absolutely right.all his experience is the experience of the US Forces. The theater of operations in Europe is completely different, it is a wild mixture of maneuver, actions in the mountains and urban battles in their usual sense. Do not forget that any city in the UKR was built as a key defensive point. Therefore, Wagner was chosen to work in cities, having extensive experience in assault operations.

[@tomhenry897]

We just spent 20 years doing urban warfare Even the National guard knows how to do it

[@tomhenry897]

Wagner was picked as off the books troops The troops Wagner deployed were barely trained

[@vsm_dracarys6282]

@@tomhenry897 Everywhere in the world countries are laughing from our “success” throughout wars, I guess we surely know how to do it best.

[@aov6563]

@@tomhenry897 Spent 20 years unsuccessfully. NG knows how to protect the administration and chase the civilian population - this is its function. The city may taken only by assault units

[@danielhutchinson6604]

Russia being able to supply their Artillery with Ammo and supplies, as well as the ability to rotate forces out on a weekly basis, appears to be a big advantage over the Kyiv Troops in Avdivka, who have been dropping NATO Ordinance on Civilians for over 9 years. But the Rail connection to Bachmut was severed early and that limited the amount of logistic support to Bachmut. The ability to leave Artillery stationary and just shoot up the opponent seems to reduce the conflict to a Logistic effort. Avdivka lost their rail connection to Dniepro a month ago, and they appear to be slowing down on their Barrage. Avdivka has been shooting up Schools and Churches as long as NATO could deliver. The ability of Kyiv to find willing Bodies appears to be limited. The ability of NATO to find funds is another feature of this conflict that reveals the true nature of the US efforts to promote the conflict, since Putin announced the creation of an alternative to IMF loans. The BRICS Banks ability to provide not only a Funding source but a Gold Standard Currency, is apparently what the conflict is centered around. August is appraoching, the Durban South Africa BRICS Summit, is supposed to feature not only the arrival of Nations that represent considerably more than half of the planets resources, but appears to deprive the Western Nations represented by the G-7, of a considerable source of commodities. August will reveal the facts.

[@popnorbert8465]

" Troops in Avdivka, who have been dropping NATO Ordinance on Civilians for over 9 years. " Citation needed.

[@danielhutchinson6604]

@@popnorbert8465 Ask Patrick Lancaster? He moved his Kids out of town. Eva Bartlet, and Graham Phillips have interviewed Civilians who seem to be irritated by the Children growing up with explosions around them. The Donetsk Airport appears pretty shot. Look ....

[@popnorbert8465]

@@danielhutchinson6604 Incidentally, how many Russian troops were in the Donetsk Airport, fighting against Ukraine, when it was being shelled? Quite a few, from what I recall, even though they had no Russian Federation markings. Same applies to Donetsk city proper. I'm sorry that the civilians are irritated about the explosions around them....I wonder if it occurs to them that if Russian troops hadn't invaded in 2014 (or had they simply left afterwards), there would be no such explosions.

[@danielhutchinson6604]

@@popnorbert8465 Listen Mr Propaganda stuffed Turkey? Russians were present in large numbers after WW2 in Donbas as the rebuilding effort that evicting Nazis required. The jobs that were offered in Donbas area mines and industry appeared more interesting than returning to farms in far East Russia. You do need to read History that was not published by the US Army. As the Soviet Union became a separate commercial entity, in 1990, the residents asked Kyiv for economic support . They were told there was none. They turned to Moscow for the limited financial support that was available from a Nation that had run out of money competing with Raygun Administration weapon spending. The economic history reveals a lot more than the US State Department propaganda. You do need to consider that BRICS began offering an alternative loan program in 2014, then the US apparently declared war on Russia and China. Or would you like some Yellow Cake served up in the Galley of the USS Maddox? The appearance of truth being delivered by Russia seems as believable as the US State Department. Consider both sides and then make your own decision? Napoleon made a mistake estimating Russian wrath in 1812, and left the Grand Army of the Republic along the Road from Moscow. They were clutching their Booty they took from Moscow to their frozen Bodies. Hitler learned a pretty harsh lesson from challenging Russians over some resources as well. Information does provide you with understanding that allows you to avoid stepping in something unpleasant.

[@popnorbert8465]

@@danielhutchinson6604 You need to watch less RT and Россия-1 before accusing others of furthering propaganda. I appreciate the history lesson on matters already known, but the topic here is the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which has started the moment Russia sent it's troops, the FSB and other agitators over the border, in 2014. Even former FSB agents, like Girkin, admit that the referendums were shams and Russia has used the local population as shields for it's own troops. In the end, the same result : IF Russia hadn't invaded, the civilians you mentioned initially would still be alive. And no, Russia's reasons to invade back then (and last year as well) were and still are nonsense...but then again, who even knows the actual official reason anymore? It's been changing almost on a monthly basis, depending on what suits the Russian official's lies best.

[@davidjones6389]

AIRBORNE!

[@gusgone4527]

Fighting in built up areas is notoriously difficult for an attacking field army. Especially if they permit themselves to be sidetracked by concerns over civilian collateral damage. The old Red Army tactic of excessive artillery (thermobaric with mixed conventional HE and Chemical shells) followed by bypassing, is the best method yet.

[@Whatsupwiththisname]

The reason Bakhmut is happening is the we are slow in delivering jets. We all know that we will send jets, we all know that Ukraine has to win this war otherwise Putin will not stop and we all know that war can’t be won without jets -no American general will agree on fighting without air support, but we still wasting Ukrainian soldiers lives in this game of “let’s not rush”. All excuses are pathetic now.

[@hendrikvanleeuwen9110]

Enough to keep fighting, but not enough to win. The west wants to destroy Russia and Ukraine so it can rebuild them as part of the hegemon. Cause 'freedom, democracy and western values'. Never mind the destruction and death, it's a price worth (them) paying.

[@ssglbc1875]

@@bilic8094 denys is very very biased in his videos but he at least gives us way more information than our news does whether it’s western or Russian.

[@ssglbc1875]

Jets won’t give Ukraine the upper hand. Russia has air defense better air defense than Ukraine has even rumored better than western air defense. Some f16s won’t make Russian troops on the ground vulnrable or make a significant impact to Russian air power if anything it’ll drag more Russian planes into the fight but will still achieve the west goal at grinding down Russia.

[@aov6563]

Sending planes won't solve anything. There's no one to fly there. "The Ghost of Kiev" RIP, Denis Davydov is hiding somewhere in France.

[@WyattMakes]

I'm under the weather and I seriously thought John in the thumbnail was Chris Hansen...

[@estebanmoeller]

I would like to see missile use, ratio russia to ukraune

[@chrishooge3442]

Stewart's a RedLeg?

[@PrestonStewart]

Yessir!

[@chrishooge3442]

@@PrestonStewart As a former RedLeg I'm hoping all this talk of a Ukrainian offensive is making the Russians bring logistics forward into Howitzer and HIMARS range. May the King Of Battle rule the field.

[@georgedoolittle9015]

Hard to call wiping off entire Cities from the Earth *"urban fighting"* but not the first time in the name of *"because we can"* this has happened in Western History last example being World War 2 and flat out straight up dropping a pair of nukes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan City. Doesn't seem like a complicated subject at the moment.

[@popnorbert8465]

Difference is that "the West" hasn't performed such wanton destruction since, while Russia is still at the same level as 70 years ago (ideologically and militarily as well).

[@russellknight26]

That was a tactical withdrawal from Kerson why do people insist on making it seem like something that it wasn't.

[@Angry-Lynx]

dear americans, wagner reads as your 'VAGNER' not wwwwwwwwwwwwwww :)

[@rogerout8875]

We don't care

[@Angry-Lynx]

@@rogerout8875 fu

[@rogerout8875]

@@Angry-Lynx 😭😭😭 Lol you like your own comments.. you people are pathetic.

[@VladimirPavlovskiy]

The funny part of it all, your overall combat experience evolved around "let's take out that mudhut with a combined force" experience all the way since your European trip to ww1 trenches . A colonial style war machine that was totally unsuccessful on a secondary ww2 front on the ground except strategic bombing and naval warfare. Whenever you were cut from the big guns of the navy or the horrific punch of the strategic air force bombing raids, you were a loss in general. On a terrain prepared for war, with soviet era bombshells and underground communications, gps jamming (why himars is no longer a wunderwaffe? 😂 Or the jdams?) yo face an army scale warfare. And it is not done in a style of a cowboy whistling assault. Now, when corrected 1500kg FABs are ready for stronghold reduction use, we expect news from the front. And hangars in Kubinka are waiting for the new beasts. You made this war into a war, not us. I really hope generations of Russians will remember that.

[@titityytyler01]

You are speaking truth, idont know how thies other ppl dont see this, they are still sleeping

[@tomhenry897]

Just spent 20 years doing urban fighting

[@VladimirPavlovskiy]

@@tomhenry897 urban differs... Urban fighting in Mosul is quite different from urban fighting in Seattle, don't you think? Stalingrad &Berlin experience is being reviewed and practiced right now. But in general he is right. The lesson of Berlin was: small sturm groups coordinated on a battalion level with lots of explosives and heavy artillery. Now it will soon evolve as recon groups on the ground and 1500 fab applied to a stronghold to make its "crew" fight for survival instead of fighting our troops. War never changes. People adapt.

[@neolynxer]

I'm baffled with the praise this guest has in the comments. A lot of stuff he said did not make any sense.

[@bCKization]

The more combat footage I see the more I don't support this war

[@damien2198]

Land grab does not appear to be RU goal, they are just using Bakhmut to demilitarize Ukr to the last soldier. Different goal/reading. Interesting that Ukr is falling in their trap and supplying them with soldiers to kill.

[@hoagybob]

Hmmmmm. I got zero out of this. Preston is far better at distilling data.

[@darrenwheeler8638]

lesson #1 , don't provoke the russians by bombing russian civilans.

[@DogeickBateman]

That never happened but ok Jewshevik

[@popnorbert8465]

Lesson #1 is to not blindly believe Russian propaganda and false flag ops. Not the first time they lie and kill their own for a cassus belli.

[@chtuh]

​@@popnorbert8465 верьте американцам, они свергают правительство и вот твоя страна уже воюет с соседями. В америке есть ветераны, которые сражались на своих границах?

[@sH-ed5yf]

​@@chtuhprove that Amerika has overthrown the ukrainian government.

[@sH-ed5yf]

Well how is ukraine supposed to react when armed melitias occupy parts of its country

[@fudoshin811]

Sorry Preston, you have some great content, but this gut is just incoherently rambling.

[@robtorres5518]

Preston is solid, other guy sounds like me after happy hour

[@c00lsemaguy55]

Joined the army thinking it was cool but left the army when yr country needed heros to sacrifice for their country. N here you are You tubing as arms specialists explaining to kiddos abt weapons.

[@rogerout8875]

Wtf are you babbling about???

[@Skyhulk95]

This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about in terms of Kherson the Russian VDV held the line for months pushing across open terrain without cover is the he hardest operation in warfare.

[@russellknight26]

If I was Stalin there would be a full mobilization in Russia and every large urban Ukrainian City would systematically be encircled and presented with three options. Leave and return across Ukrainian held lines. Surrender and follow the conditions of the agreement. Or death. No urban areas would be fired at or bombed if the first two options are used. If hostile forces are discovered during the clearing sweep they will be eliminated as brutality and indiscriminately as possible. Large airstrikes and vacuum bombs filmed and released for all to see.

[@rogerout8875]

What happens when every time you try to go to surround the city your men get destroyed by artillery? You keep killing men, like Russia does?

[@stevenjohnston7809]

History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme: Russia always gets its ass kicked for the first year. They are going to lose this war, but look throughout history. They always lose the first year. Look at history.

[@Theggman83]

Lol this guy's swallowed the propaganda....