Audacity.

This is coolbert:

Here with a Twitter thread from the American general officer Mark Hertling [Ret.].

Topic the Ukrainian helicopter gunship attack on the Russian fuel depot Belgorod.

Mark speaks:

* Mark Hertling

@MarkHertling

"Ukraine's strike of the fuel depot at Belgorod was MUCH more than a bold tactical move."

"While 1.5 M gallons of fuel is certainly a critical target & will be significant in this logistics war...there's more."

"This is what's called a 'deep strike' in US military parlance." 1/6

7:01 PM · Apr 1, 2022·Twitter Web App

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* Mark Hertling

@MarkHertling

·Apr 1

@MarkHertling

"A deep strike is meant to cause physical damage to the enemy, but it's also designed to cause increased fear, a feeling that no where is safe, & it sends the message 'we will come after you everywhere, especially when you're not expecting it.'"  2/

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* Mark Hertling

@MarkHertling

·Apr 1

"The Russians [RU] believed Belorus and RU territory were safe havens.  They're now less confident of that."

"The RUs believed they could return to bases in Belarus - to the motor pools they once occupied - and  reconsolidate and they would be untouched.  No more."  3/

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* Mark Hertling

@MarkHertling

· Apr 1

"A deep strike doesn't directly or immediately affect the front line troops ...but it does have a significant effect on the troops in the rear (the logistics folks, and those returning from the fight)." 

"That's a big deal, and it has huge psychological implications."  4/

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* Mark Hertling

@MarkHertling

· Apr 1

"Beyond being bold & audacious, this UKR strike into Belgorod required more than just 2 helicopters striking a target..."

"It required analysis of target set, planning of the mission, preparation of the routes, jamming of the enemy radars, and a precise strike ability." 5/

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* Mark Hertling

@MarkHertling

· Apr 1

"The fact that the UKR [Ukrainian] leaders will not 'confirm or deny' they did the strike is also - to me - an exclamation point."

"It says to me 'yeah, we did it, and when we get a chance we'll do it again.'"

"That's panache.  Ukraines got it going on.:  6/6

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Comment: My thought was that perhaps those two Mi-24 gunships the pilots on a rogue mission. Took matters into their own hands and did the raid without clearance from higher authority. Probably not but the thought did cross my mind.

See previous Twitter threads as subject matter for previous blog entries:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/03/matchboxes.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/03/force-on-force.html

Profuse thanks to General Mark! You expertise greatly appreciated.

coolbert.