Petraeus: Sending Switchblade drone munitions to Ukraine would be 'game-changer'

[Rogue Valley]

Petraeus: Sending Switchblade drone munitions to Ukraine would be 'game-changer'

4.1.22
Ret. Gen. David Petraeus called the barraged Ukrainian city of Mariupol that country's "Alamo," saying the United States could help provide "game-changer" loitering munitions to the Zelenskyy administration. Petraeus, a former CIA director, told "The Story" on Friday that the West has been providing key assistance to the country as Russia's invasion moves into its third calendar month. He said the United States should be pressing for Ukraine to get ahold of Switchblade drones, which he described as an aerial, self-destructing munition that a soldier launches from a tube, then directs to a target within a 15- to 30-minute travel range. The Switchblade then flies itself into the target and explodes. "We ought to be getting thousands of those to Ukraine," he said, adding that the United States initially provided a small amount to Zelenskyy's forces. "Those could be game-changers, and those could really augment these counterattacks by the Ukrainian forces as they push further out of Kiev, as they push further out of Kharkiv, as they oppose the Russian forces that are trying to push out of the southeast and also trying to entrap some of the Ukrainian forces that are defending against that push out of the southeast," Petraeus said.

Of the eastern region, which is mostly controlled by Russians or separatists with the exception of Odessa, Petraeus said the decimated city of Mariupol hearkens back to a fortification from the Texas revolution. In 1836, Texian forces, which included famous frontiersman Rep. Davy Crockett, held off Mexican troops under Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna until essentially the last man. "There's the concern about the Southeast, the Russians helping the separatists push out from the so-called Donbass … and then also ultimately eventually [are] going to take Mariupol … which has become the Ukrainian Alamo — fighting to the last defender, occupying lots of Russian battalions." "But when that does eventually fall, those battalions will be freed up," he added, which he said explains Ukraine's urgency.

The UA desperately needs many thousands of Switchblade drones in the east and the south. If Mariupol falls, the entire coastline of Ukraine is at great risk.

 

[multivita-man]

Petraeus: Sending Switchblade drone munitions to Ukraine would be 'game-changer'

The UA desperately needs many thousands of Switchblade drones in the east and the south. If Mariupol falls, the entire coastline of Ukraine is at great risk.

Odessa is really *the* key city at this point. Mariupol will probably fall but Odessa's critical chokepoint - if it falls, it's probably the beginning of the end for Ukraine's ability to resist...without NATO getting directly involved, that is.

 

[Rogue Valley]

Odessa is really *the* key city at this point. Mariupol will probably fall but Odessa's critical chokepoint - if it falls, it's probably the beginning of the end for Ukraine's ability to resist...without NATO getting directly involved, that is.

No. Mariupol is the key to opening the land-bridge to Crimea. If nothing else, Putin needs Mariupol (and also Berdyansk) to claim even a minor victory in Ukraine.

Then Kherson and Mykoaliv have to fall before Odessa is legitimately threatened. I doubt the Russians would attempt to capture Odesa via amphibious landings.

 

[multivita-man]

No. Mariupol is the key to opening the land-bridge to Crimea. If nothing else, Putin needs Mariupol (and also Berdyansk) to claim even a minor victory in Ukraine.

Then Kherson and Mykoaliv have to fall before Odessa is legitimately threatened. I doubt the Russians would attempt to capture Odesa via amphibious landings.

Good points, especially considering Ukraine's success at attacking Russian vessels so far

 

[Jkca1]

Odessa is really *the* key city at this point. Mariupol will probably fall but Odessa's critical chokepoint - if it falls, it's probably the beginning of the end for Ukraine's ability to resist...without NATO getting directly involved, that is.

The beginning of the end was the day Russia crossed the border. Direct NATO aid? A little late eh? Every see a dog with its tail between its legs? That dog's name was NATO.

 

[Rogue Valley]

The beginning of the end was the day Russia crossed the border. Direct NATO aid? A little late eh? Every see a dog with its tail between its legs? That dog's name was NATO.

Nato WAS late indeed. I think the alliance didn't really believe Purin would invade when he knew Western sanctions would isolate and cripple Russia financially.

But then again, dictators don't think like normal leaders.

 

[EnigmaO01]

The beginning of the end was the day Russia crossed the border. Direct NATO aid? A little late eh? Every see a dog with its tail between its legs? That dog's name was NATO.

It's time to ignore you comrade. How dare you post an American flag in your avatar.