All my respects to Gen Ben Hodges who manages to analysing clearly the main reasons why Russia intended to swallow Ukraine. Very good job of informing people
James, as always, you've made your two interviewees GIVE THEIR BEST for us to understand, to be able to EXPLAIN TO OTHERS what's going on in Ukraine and what MIGHT BE EXPECTED from the intelligent and determined Ukranians who will NEVER give up their beautiful nation to that Russian RAT with the name of V.Putin.
I want the PM of Estonia to be our Canadian PM as she has kahunas that other western leaders are trying to find on themselves. I just listened to her talking and she is very clear and precise in her history and we have not learned from history.
The easten puppet states are so full of hate, against Russians born on their countries, blacks, muslims etc. They should never have been allowed into the EU and Nato.
There is something about Ben Hodges that makes me immediately like him. He is direct on the point but polite. I understand why people in the comments want him for president.
I`m not American so it doesn't make any difference what I say but, Ben understands the world in a different way to that of two elderly Fu&kwits that are so disconnected with the world its no wonder that Putin saw his opportunity ! Churchill was a great war leader but post war was not regarded as a great leader, Ben Hodges would be a great war leader, and make no mistake Europe is at war, and soon so will the USA if you like it or not ! just remember the world war 2 had been going three years before USA was surprised by Pearl Harbour !!!
@@chrishooge3442 absolutely 💯 they man was responsible for so much passive suffering for so many people, hey we’re only East Europe who cares right, 70 years of repression condemns him. Please guys don’t allow those imbeciles to allow the Russians to indirectly rule the USA
I like this Anerican guy, he talks straight, very informative. Well done on your channel, seems legit , I had almost given up on watching any type of news.
Unfortunately if you add all of the Western leaders together, you will not find a backbone. We can simper and wring our hands. More than that? nothing...
It's politics. The west has to walk a fine line between supporting Ukraine and limiting their influence to below the level that Russia can consider it an existential war for themselves. If Putin can prove that Russian territory was attacked with western weapons with full knowledge of the west, then nuclear retaliation is on the table. If the west says "Do not use these weapons to attack" and maintains plausible deniability, then Putin can't pull out nuclear weapons without proving on the world stage that he's a mad dog that needs to be put down. In a more direct response to your question, if you're providing something to someone that they then abuse, you can't stop them from abusing it, but you can stop providing it. If Ukraine is too obvious about knowingly using western weapons against Russian territory, then they will loose access to further western weapons. When the conditions are as simple as "don't let us catch you using these to attack Russia", it's hardly an onerous condition
fffing Americans are so unreliable - Europe is so much more educated and real ..... ( apologies to the far West coast and East coast , whom we forgive )
The Kersh Bridge has simple gravity spans that can be replaced quite quickly. However the arched span is different. It’s high and it’s wide. Accurate missiles could break the arch and the deck would collapse. The snag is distance and firepower.
Russia has nuclear weapoms.We can only push so far.But never cross the red line.Russia and the BRICS countries can take on Nato.Tgat be a good match..This war could and will last for years.no clear winner But alot of suffering on both sides.
@@amossimon3438 BRICS is not a military alliance. In regards to Ukrainian territory, Russia is incapable of putting together an alliance that can match, or even come close to NATO’s capabilities. I’ve served 12 years in the military of a NATO country, and am confident that Russia and friends are no match for NATO, should NATO commit.
NATO caused the trouble in 2014, they started it with the FAKE CIA coup in Ukraine. Putin will finish it and us too if we get in his way.@@carolwilliams85110
Its a do or die battle for Ukraine and when people are pushed to this situation they come up with incredible innovations. Innovations and technology are the way for Ukraine. If Europe pulls its full weight they can still pull Ukraine out of trouble, irrespective of the position of US.
@@laurie9557 correct, Glory to the brave Ukrainians. 🇺🇦🎶 if only those russian sheep could stand up and ‘never give up’ on outing their war criminal leader. Standing with Ukraine until it wins the 3 day war. 🇺🇦🎶🇦🇺
Guys the West should have taken Russia seriously during the second Chechen war in 2002 but didn’t, this is when Putin decided that he could do anything he wanted.
The growing disbelife in Ukraines chances, that can be heard in Europe and mostly the Trump-part of the US, is frustrating!! Ukraine has received much help from abroad but need more help. You can not expect a car to run for 100 kilometers with gas in the tank for 50! We (the west) are not helping Ukraine to fight their war. They are fighting our war!
The successors of Sir Barnes Wallis are making their calculations for the dropping of the bridge as we speak. Watch this space. 🙂 Slava Ukraini from Sir Barnes Wallis in UK.
I wish The Times was correct in all its dire predictions of Russian failure involving Ukraine. However, time has proven Putin correct and the West a failure in protecting itself. Democracy is in peril beyond Ukraine’s border and we have shrugged our duties, disinterested in the disastrous long term consequences of our indifference.
It's past time for the US congress to step up. Churchill said it best ' The Us always does the right thing. After they have tried everything else". The trickle of help has hurt.
After all this is done I am really curious to know what Hodges thinks of Caravaggio and Vermeer! Until then I am continually grateful for his level headed and insightful analysis.
Warning - mostly troll comments here - so do not be surprised . This war, not a special military operation, was supposed to take three days - now the trolls are talking big, it took them ten years to take Avdivka. Slava Ukraini!
@@j.s.westdijk6209when a point of view is expressed rather than obvious troll scripts which are repetitive and full of misinformation and disinformation then respectful debate ensues.
For Gen. Hodges and anyone interested :-) The land mass closest to that of Crimea (approx. 27,000Km2) which would be familiar to most Europeans, is Sicily, and Vancouver Island for our North American brothers and sisters, and East Timor for the Pacific/ Australasia region. Also, I follow your vids and value your assessments. Keep up the good work.
Even though things are not looking good for Ukraine now , I believe that Ukraine will win this war and regain everything that it has lost. Even though my country is a friend of Russia but Russia will pay dearly for this war and will never be the same again. From 🇮🇳.
This what happens when the west has placed financial expediency ahead of principle. The West has demonstrated the same failing in the last 15 or 20 years when dealing with China. We can only hope that principles win when dealing with China in the future.
Whenever it is, it will be timely. It's needed so that the occupiers can return to their motherland isn't it? Otherwise they will have to go via the land route which will take longer. .
IF the West stop pussyfooting around and provide Ukraine with the long range missiles, aircraft and munitions that they need, the Ukrainians will take out the Bridge in short order just by overwhelming the defences.
Never mind a dark time for Ukraine. If Trump’s elected it’ll be a dark time for Europe, democracy and America too. Victory for Putin opens a Pandora’s box of horrors for us all. To say it’ll make America great again is just risible.
I don't understand why you would listen to these people especially as everytime there on the next week the situation gets worse and worse and losing even worse while these same people keep saying the opposite of what is happening
Who didn't honor the Minsk agreements? Just reference the comments made by former Chancellor Angela Merkel (who signed the Minsk peace treaty) and you will understand who was honest and sincere about peace. Amazing how this can be spun, when all the evidence is in plain view.
Regarding the Crimean Bridge, according to an F-15E WSO (i.e. the back-seater - Weapons Systems Officer) that flew missions in the former Yugoslavia targeting bridges, "..you need a 2,000 pounder to drop a span...", so that's the load out for the F-16's when we get them. The Taurus ALCM has a special fuse that lets the warhead burrow intp structural concrete before detonating, but Germany, holding out on us, I'm sure the good Lt. Gen. is not impressed with that, living in Germany himself!
And amazing how much the z army messes up on the front. In fact we could say that their incompetence has handed Ukraine far more successes than they would otherwise have had, given the drip of Western support. What is ruzzia's excuse, with aid from Iran, China and N Korea., and their economy on a war footing, for not having subdued Ukraine fully yet?????
@@carolwilliams8511 what success' ? , the fact that Russia is using munitions from 3rd world countries and aren't being moved yet the first world has supplied Ukraine billions of dollars since 2014 should help you understand the reality. You neither have to schill for either side to come to this conclusion.
@@stephenquayle6762 russians take 2 cities in 2 years at the cost same as the population of those 2 cities each: "tomorrow's Poland, comrads, hurray" don't you even vaguely suspect that something is off here?
@@stephenquayle6762 that is correct, then what "reality" you've mentioned? is it that real reality where russia grinds itself down faster than it advances, or is it that russian reality where they are about to capture Odessa tomorrow? it is not schilling, it's just an observation: when Ukraine has enough ammo - russia suffers, but since we see russia actually advancing - probably means that Ukraine didn't get all those billions of dollars 🤷♂
I was surprised you kept Ben Hodges "on hold" to give most of your focus and attention to Maxim Tucker. Nothing wrong with Maxim. He's bright. But he's your in-studio Times colleague whom you can interview anytime you want (and he can't say no). Lol... I suppose I simply can't imagine, personally, keeping General Ben Hodges off-camera, not engaged in discussion, twiddling his thumbs.🙄
Good interview ! I feel angry and frustrated with the US Repub congress for holding up aid. As Malcom Nance has said "Donald Trump is essentially a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vladimir Putin’s regime" and I totally agree. Trump is a danger and an embarrassment to the US even as an ex-president (also thanks to Putin).
Tucker, regarding Crimea: "So for that [Crimea]...to go over to Ukraine, and then for a Ukrainian government that might be hostile to Russia was unthinkable for Putin at that time." What a joke. Ukraine let Russia use Sevastopol as a military base, in the same way that the Philippines let the U.S. use Subic Bay. Zero justification for an annexation. If Putin wasn't either evil or living in the 18th Century, that friendly relationship could be nothing but very thinkable.
I don't like this journalist: he likes to hear himself speak too much. Normally I skip his interviews, but Gen Hodges is worth listening to regardless who interviews him. In this case his questions are more succinct than usual, and he does seem to make an effort to keep his speaking time to a minimum. Perhaps he is learning, I would applaud that. I'll give him another chance. As usual for Times Radio, both guests are top-notch.
Ukraine can live without part of its eastern territory but to be able to be a functional state it needs access to the black sea and thus secure Crimea. And russia is not winning there AT ALL. Russia already lost control of the black sea, its airspace as well as the black sea harbours in Crimea, airbases etc. Work in progress....
Yes. Because the loss of a few metres of land temporarily is not that big of a deal. The aid is coming this year, along with their own military industry. Ukraine is innovative and entrepreneurial and ruzzia is not. Ukraine has full access to Western technologies and ruzzia does not. Ukraine also tries to preserve the lives of its troops whereas ruzzia expends them recklessly.
It's important to note that Crimea was once a tropical paradise under Ukraine, but since Russia took over they have sullied it with their rusted ships and military installations.
We shall see who is right, the people in this video or other people who say that Ukraine has lost the war completely and that Crimea will remain Russian as it had been for the most part since 1783, save for 1954-2014. Who is right? Time will tell. The General's optimistic prediction for the summer offensive was way off, by the way.
Ukraine cannot give up Crimea as it would mean the Azov Sea becomes a Russian lake as Russia would control the only access to the Azov Sea, the Kurch Straight (which the Royal Navy sailed through to maintain international right of way)
Azov sea is a swamp dude ... no more than 7-8 yards deep ... ships cannot sail there ... irrelevant for transport of anything ... irrelevant economically, but it's a moot point bc Ukraine is not getting it back - ever ...
@@S3th4llna7Ukraine can live without part of its eastern territory but to be able to be a functional state it needs access to the black sea and thus secure Crimea. And russia is not winning there. Russia already lost control of the black sea, its airspace as well as the black sea harbours in Crimea, airbases etc. Work in progress....
Ukraine’s navy is now where America’s navy was after Pearl Harbor: With their “traditional” naval power destroyed, they’re realizing that a new form of naval power can be far more effective.
Hehehe... You funny Ruskie Troll. The picture you'll find next to "delusional" in any dictionary (_outside Russia_ that is) is Vladimir Putler holding up 3 fingers... representing "How long it will take Russia to conquer Kiev!"
Can I please ask why we in the west have such a short memory, on the 6th December 1917 Finland declared independence From the Russian Empire then only one week later Crimea Tatars declared independence also, yet nobody even considers the fact that they invaded by the USSR and the ownership being argued over like a cheap dinner between The murdering Russians and Kinder Ukrainians. Sorry but when did freedom of a people become a argument between two other people, up to the late 19th century the Crimean Tatar were the majority the has changed sadly, but this is a result that they were not permitted to be the masters of their own country and their freedom is being fought over by two different people
The Tatar population is fully on board with Ukraine retaking Crimea. They were treated fairly when in was part of Ukraine, as contrasted with the genocidal treatment they received at the hands of Stalin.
@@RichardTaylor1630 not just the Tartars either, the Orcs killed so many people, so many Ukrainians, first time when they declared independence, then the 1930,’s then the 40s the again now, that disgusting repulsive behaviour aside I can see the the culture disappear, being in Australia when the English managed to almost end 256 cultures, at first violently then most recently passively. Not a single school teachers people I their own language or culture alone, I personally believe that to guarantee your culture you need to have control and not rely on people. But an independent Crimea in a confederation with Ukraine seems like a nice compromise
My Greatest respect for General Hodges...🫡
This channel is in Love with putin, and Russia
Bens killed alotta ukrainians with his sh*tty predictions.
@@bryandimery6509 No one get killed with predictions Ivane, RuSSians and Putins supporter like you killed Ukrainians, but over 400000 ruSSians too
@@s.d.h.3t981
7 Russian Su did SUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu this week.
😂😂😂😂
Thanks General Hodges. Maxim stood up well also.
Really didnt, pushing the usual misinformation and propaganda.
Yes. Ben for president!
Ha ha ha ha ha never happen
Dearlove for vice? Start of a good team ;-)
Great point though, how can Trump and Biden be the presidential nominees with people like Ben around. They can't possibly be the best choice.
@@pauldean8638and yet take a d ump 💩 became pres ! And luckily only former now 😢
I'll vote for Hodges !
All my respects to Gen Ben Hodges who manages to analysing clearly the main reasons why Russia intended to swallow Ukraine. Very good job of informing people
🤣😂🤣😂
@user-wj6dt5bq3w Even Obama and Burns admitted putting Ukraine and Georgia into NATO would cause a war. But simpletons cant understand this.
😂😂😂😂
@@bryandimery6509
Suffering from korsakov,Vladimir Korsakov??
@@faniel7265 Suffering from korsakov,Vladimir Korsakov??
Insightful with both a military and journalistic viewpoint. Good guests, please invite them again soon.
Another very good interview by James Hanson.
Its the questions that makes a good interview
James, as always, you've made your two interviewees GIVE THEIR BEST for us to understand, to be able to EXPLAIN TO OTHERS what's going on in Ukraine and what MIGHT BE EXPECTED from the intelligent and determined Ukranians who will NEVER give up their beautiful nation to that Russian RAT with the name of V.Putin.
Hodges 2024!!! Vote Ben.
I know when Ben Hodges speaks he knows what he’s talking about and I know I can believe what he says is true.
Are you a bot? 😂
Thanks General for supporting democracy
@mumblerockheaven2683 Your fanboy president is soon in jail, emojie kid 🤡
General Clown.
Democracy 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Modern Slavery!! Have you got any property?!!
You mean lobbyists
Democracy as in killing civilians in Donetsk by shelling? Ukrainian government is a complete farce.
I want the PM of Estonia to be our Canadian PM as she has kahunas that other western leaders are trying to find on themselves. I just listened to her talking and she is very clear and precise in her history and we have not learned from history.
She's nothing.
@@errolkim1334 Don't be lazy. Try to be specific.
PM is Estonia Kaja Kallas has absolutely ZERO Karina’s. She’s talking a big game because she knows that she’s absolutely safe.
She's like the mayor of a medium sized city.
The easten puppet states are so full of hate, against Russians born on their countries, blacks, muslims etc. They should never have been allowed into the EU and Nato.
The final sentiment about Ukrainian resolve at the end is good to hear. Great video!
I have family in Ukraine. They hate Zelensky. Nobody wants to fight and die for the interests of NATO & western capital like BlackRock.
They've lost. Wake up and smell the coffee ☕
There is something about Ben Hodges that makes me immediately like him. He is direct on the point but polite. I understand why people in the comments want him for president.
I`m not American so it doesn't make any difference what I say but, Ben understands the world in a different way to that of two elderly Fu&kwits that are so disconnected with the world its no wonder that Putin saw his opportunity ! Churchill was a great war leader but post war was not regarded as a great leader, Ben Hodges would be a great war leader, and make no mistake Europe is at war, and soon so will the USA if you like it or not ! just remember the world war 2 had been going three years before USA was surprised by Pearl Harbour !!!
My respect to Gen.Ben Hodges. Thanks to all Ukrainian supporters. Ukrainian WIN = Democracy & Peace in Europe.
MORE SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE!!
Listening to Ben Hodges is how I imagine sitting in on a lecture at West Point
Ahahahah the guy who took Crimea in 2022
Is this the dude that majored in poetry🤔
I had not thought of that. But yes and the students would hanging on to ever word.
It was one of the most adequate views on this war during long time. Thank you very much for such great and extremely competent guests!
I am so embarrassed by the US tepid support for Ukraine after the 2014 invasion. I used to be a dove, but Putin has turned me into a hawk.
You should be embarrassed for supporting American empire..for invading Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq
Trump made a pact with all dictatorships. He is trying to buy russia at least some time. He will fail soon.
Rusobot. Slava Ukraini.
Yes, we seem to have multiple Neville Chamberlains in our midst.
@@chrishooge3442 absolutely 💯 they man was responsible for so much passive suffering for so many people, hey we’re only East Europe who cares right, 70 years of repression condemns him.
Please guys don’t allow those imbeciles to allow the Russians to indirectly rule the USA
Greetings from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺
How old are you, 120?
@@adabsurdum3314 thank you for your absurd comment. I’m actually a medical officer in the Australian 🇦🇺 Army.
@@dereckbrannigan6195 whoopedy do da? That's funny you feel that's relevant
I like this Anerican guy, he talks straight, very informative.
Well done on your channel, seems legit , I had almost given up on watching any type of news.
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
He knows his stuff.
How dare they say, "Here's Your Weapons, but, you are not allowed to attack, you must only defend yourself!" How bloody naive and arrogant is that?
Unfortunately if you add all of the Western leaders together, you will not find a backbone. We can simper and wring our hands. More than that? nothing...
It's politics. The west has to walk a fine line between supporting Ukraine and limiting their influence to below the level that Russia can consider it an existential war for themselves. If Putin can prove that Russian territory was attacked with western weapons with full knowledge of the west, then nuclear retaliation is on the table.
If the west says "Do not use these weapons to attack" and maintains plausible deniability, then Putin can't pull out nuclear weapons without proving on the world stage that he's a mad dog that needs to be put down.
In a more direct response to your question, if you're providing something to someone that they then abuse, you can't stop them from abusing it, but you can stop providing it. If Ukraine is too obvious about knowingly using western weapons against Russian territory, then they will loose access to further western weapons.
When the conditions are as simple as "don't let us catch you using these to attack Russia", it's hardly an onerous condition
@@blackoak4978 Assumptions, assumptions, assumptions, assumptions etc.
Not arrogant. They control ukraine (west ukraine) they pick the weapons
who do you think is in control here?
agreed. However, it seems after Russia wiped out Ukraine's oil/gas lines, Ukraine did start targeting like-kind inside Russia. Yhael!
I love times radio and greetings from New York City
Sad for you a one sided view
@@terryl858 these guys are smart extremely articulate I would rather have these guys as president of the United States than Biden or Trump
Great interview. Thanks. What Mr. Hodges said is so right. Mr. Evil has to lose Crimea!😈
The Russians have had Crimea for 360 years blind boy
There are 1000 ATCMS in the US at their use by date. Would they make Crimea untenable for Russia?
😅😅😅😅and Thor's hammer 😅America has lots of magical weapons for Ukraine.
There is no single weapon which can do that. It requires a combination of capabilities.
nobody has mentioned the population being Russian there. Would Crimeans invite Ukraine back in?
This morning I read unconfirmed rumors/comments that there are plans to send ATACMS with 300 km range to Ukraine.
@@jamesmedina2062 it was discussed rather over half way through. Scroll back and check.
wish. we could have heard more from Hodges
Very annoyed at the Congress.
As are we all.
fffing Americans are so unreliable - Europe is so much more educated and real ..... ( apologies to the far West coast and East coast , whom we forgive )
It's the magas.
Excellent review. Thank you 🇺🇦 Slava Ukraini ✌
The Kersh Bridge has simple gravity spans that can be replaced quite quickly. However the arched span is different. It’s high and it’s wide. Accurate missiles could break the arch and the deck would collapse. The snag is distance and firepower.
Люди строили для людей. Радовались. А вы советуете как его разрушить.
@@ГеоргийКресс Ridiculous. Putin murdered 300 000 soldiers... from Russia, but not from Moskow....and many more
Russia has nuclear weapoms.We can only push so far.But never cross the red line.Russia and the BRICS countries can take on Nato.Tgat be a good match..This war could and will last for years.no clear winner But alot of suffering on both sides.
Russia has a land bridge now
@@amossimon3438 BRICS is not a military alliance. In regards to Ukrainian territory, Russia is incapable of putting together an alliance that can match, or even come close to NATO’s capabilities. I’ve served 12 years in the military of a NATO country, and am confident that Russia and friends are no match for NATO, should NATO commit.
Thanks thanks for ur support dear for Ukraine
It’s time to stop Putin.
Past time. Very frustrating to see all this political dithering and nonsense.
That train has left the station.
Nonsense, Ukraine is mostly just a region of Russia, 6th generation Russians live there.
NATO caused the trouble in 2014, they started it with the FAKE CIA coup in Ukraine. Putin will finish it and us too if we get in his way.@@carolwilliams85110
The rest of the world: it is time to stop NATO
❤Ukrainian ❤
This is one of the best interviews
Extremely informative,
Thank you
God Bless Ukraine 🇺🇦🇺🇦 and democracy
Defend the lobbyists
Crimea is Ukraine!
How?
Reality, very well spoken.
Its a do or die battle for Ukraine and when people are pushed to this situation they come up with incredible innovations. Innovations and technology are the way for Ukraine. If Europe pulls its full weight they can still pull Ukraine out of trouble, irrespective of the position of US.
I heard A.I. Swarm drones will be in the hands Ukraine by summer, it won’t win the war, but would halt russias wave attacks.
Absolutely they do.
Excellent review of where we are and where we need to go
West is losing and needs to stop meddling in the Ukraine.
As a viewer I never ever get tired of seeing General Hodges. He is so excellent as a commentator. He is superb and high quality guest. Thank you.
Thank you for this indepth dive into the Crimea.
Great report Slava Ukraini
Geroyam Slava❤
Flowers for Navalny 💐🌹💐🌸💐🌷💐
And for the tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians killed by Russia.
@@laurie9557 correct, Glory to the brave Ukrainians. 🇺🇦🎶 if only those russian sheep could stand up and ‘never give up’ on outing their war criminal leader. Standing with Ukraine until it wins the 3 day war. 🇺🇦🎶🇦🇺
New hoax victim😂...
@@johnyblazer8597 you looking in the mirror there Johnny dear
@@laurie9557 glory to Ukraine, 🇺🇦🎶🇦🇺
If they had protected Georgia, Ukraine would have never happened
Thanks Obama Biden voters
Outstanding guests, Gen. Hodges would make a great presidential advisor or NATO head.
Russia needs more Americans nato advisers such as this man get real
Guys the West should have taken Russia seriously during the second Chechen war in 2002 but didn’t, this is when Putin decided that he could do anything he wanted.
The West is still not taking Russia seriously. Putin made a bet: the West are a bunch of idiots and cowards. It does look like a winning bet tbh.
And the world still takes America seriously after invading and destroying entire nations for their own profit 😅
And Putin was right. The west is weak and the US can no longer lead.
Right but Ukraine was friendly with Russia then. The US traditionally supports strong dictators sadly. Bush Jr was cozying up to Putin like crazy.
Absolutely
Good interview but you should have given Ben Hodges the strategic question first, he is the best
The growing disbelife in Ukraines chances, that can be heard in Europe and mostly the Trump-part of the US, is frustrating!! Ukraine has received much help from abroad but need more help. You can not expect a car to run for 100 kilometers with gas in the tank for 50! We (the west) are not helping Ukraine to fight their war. They are fighting our war!
Well whatever the case they're losing badly.
FYI: Massachusetts is 27,363 km²; Crimea is 27,000 km²; Wales is 21,218 km2. ;-)
What a realistic understanding of the situation about war in Ukraine. Thanks a lot!
The successors of Sir Barnes Wallis are making their calculations for the dropping of the bridge as we speak. Watch this space. 🙂 Slava Ukraini from Sir Barnes Wallis in UK.
A great discussion with clear expertise and insight, thanks!
Briĺliant in depth analysis of the situation in Ukraine. All my best regards
Ignorant one sided view
Can I have one of your regards?
I wish The Times was correct in all its dire predictions of Russian failure involving Ukraine. However, time has proven Putin correct and the West a failure in protecting itself. Democracy is in peril beyond Ukraine’s border and we have shrugged our duties, disinterested in the disastrous long term consequences of our indifference.
Agree. We are not valuing our democratic freedoms enough.
Only a few in the west are disinterested.
The US Republicans…
It's past time for the US congress to step up. Churchill said it best ' The Us always does the right thing. After they have tried everything else". The trickle of help has hurt.
If Benny had been advising Khrushchev during the Cuban missile crisis, we all would not have been alive today.
After all this is done I am really curious to know what Hodges thinks of Caravaggio and Vermeer! Until then I am continually grateful for his level headed and insightful analysis.
Warning - mostly troll comments here - so do not be surprised .
This war, not a special military operation, was supposed to take three days - now the trolls are talking big, it took them ten years to take Avdivka.
Slava Ukraini!
What Russian said 3 days ?
Now that is cheap. Learn to respect different points of view like civilized human beings.
@@j.s.westdijk6209when a point of view is expressed rather than obvious troll scripts which are repetitive and full of misinformation and disinformation then respectful debate ensues.
@@marisabenson1222 so what Russian said 3 days then , bring me proof and we discuss it then
@@pauldean8638I didn't make that assertion but I did hear the fake tan woman Simonyan saying 2 weeks and that they would be welcomed by Ukrainians.
For Gen. Hodges and anyone interested :-)
The land mass closest to that of Crimea (approx. 27,000Km2) which would be familiar to most Europeans, is Sicily, and Vancouver Island for our North American brothers and sisters, and East Timor for the Pacific/ Australasia region.
Also, I follow your vids and value your assessments. Keep up the good work.
Only the population of Crimea is at least 3 times Vancouver island
Even though things are not looking good for Ukraine now , I believe that Ukraine will win this war and regain everything that it has lost. Even though my country is a friend of Russia but Russia will pay dearly for this war and will never be the same again.
From 🇮🇳.
❤❤❤
The Kerch bridge has a fracture critical section, the arch. Break the arch the bridge is done. Repair/replacement impossible under attack.
Do you really think the Russia have not thought of this sanario just silly Kerch bridge the man is silly or misinformed
My goodness typically American how they can talk. Afghanistan Libya Syria Iraq come on people use a bit common sense?
@terryl858
Is this English?
Russia is the last Empire and needs to grasp that the days of Empire are over.
Russians live in the 21st century, with a 19th century mindset.
Poopin is a joke
Haha I can't imagine anyone whose lived under Russia not being happy to return to democracy. Those who are left after being mobilised, that is.
This what happens when the west has placed financial expediency ahead of principle.
The West has demonstrated the same failing in the last 15 or 20 years when dealing with China.
We can only hope that principles win when dealing with China in the future.
Yes, if principles aren't the main consideration, nay Truthful ambitions, in future, I feel not only am I fked, all of humankind will be.
Great talk. Very interesting. Keep it coming.
How world could be a heaven on earth... If the dogs of war be silenced for ever. 😔🥴
Sadly will never happen.
I'm waiting for 70 gay virgins, Allah akbar
Slava Ukraini! 💙💛
Russian air defence looking shaky... Kerch bridge likely to be hit again this year.
It's like General Hodges said, at a time where Ukraine, can fully take advantage of dropping the bridge.
That’s what I have been waiting for.
Agreed ,would bet on this year for the Kerch bridge coming down ,General Hodges is spot on ,wish he was president of the USA ,they need him.
Whenever it is, it will be timely. It's needed so that the occupiers can return to their motherland isn't it? Otherwise they will have to go via the land route which will take longer. .
IF the West stop pussyfooting around and provide Ukraine with the long range missiles, aircraft and munitions that they need, the Ukrainians will take out the Bridge in short order just by overwhelming the defences.
SLAVA UKRAINE
Never mind a dark time for Ukraine. If Trump’s elected it’ll be a dark time for Europe, democracy and America too. Victory for Putin opens a Pandora’s box of horrors for us all. To say it’ll make America great again is just risible.
Agree. Making America Garbage is what these trumpites are doing.
I don't understand why you would listen to these people especially as everytime there on the next week the situation gets worse and worse and losing even worse while these same people keep saying the opposite of what is happening
and what's happening?
Only because Ukraine is running out of weapons, otherwise the direction would be reversed.
Excellent analysis with good guests.
Who didn't honor the Minsk agreements? Just reference the comments made by former Chancellor Angela Merkel (who signed the Minsk peace treaty) and you will understand who was honest and sincere about peace. Amazing how this can be spun, when all the evidence is in plain view.
wait, didn't she say that this ceasefire was to give Ukraine time for military preparation, after which she was accused of "duplicity" by kremlin?
Regarding the Crimean Bridge, according to an F-15E WSO (i.e. the back-seater - Weapons Systems Officer) that flew missions in the former Yugoslavia targeting bridges, "..you need a 2,000 pounder to drop a span...", so that's the load out for the F-16's when we get them. The Taurus ALCM has a special fuse that lets the warhead burrow intp structural concrete before detonating, but Germany, holding out on us, I'm sure the good Lt. Gen. is not impressed with that, living in Germany himself!
What else you were targeting in Yugoslavia you coward. Because we remember
Its incredible how ben hodges gets so many things right .. sorry i ment wrong😅
And amazing how much the z army messes up on the front. In fact we could say that their incompetence has handed Ukraine far more successes than they would otherwise have had, given the drip of Western support. What is ruzzia's excuse, with aid from Iran, China and N Korea., and their economy on a war footing, for not having subdued Ukraine fully yet?????
@@carolwilliams8511 what success' ? , the fact that Russia is using munitions from 3rd world countries and aren't being moved yet the first world has supplied Ukraine billions of dollars since 2014 should help you understand the reality. You neither have to schill for either side to come to this conclusion.
@@stephenquayle6762 russians take 2 cities in 2 years at the cost same as the population of those 2 cities each: "tomorrow's Poland, comrads, hurray"
don't you even vaguely suspect that something is off here?
@@nivalius I honestly don't think Russia is capable of sustaining such an attack on Poland or indeed any NATO country.
@@stephenquayle6762 that is correct, then what "reality" you've mentioned? is it that real reality where russia grinds itself down faster than it advances, or is it that russian reality where they are about to capture Odessa tomorrow? it is not schilling, it's just an observation: when Ukraine has enough ammo - russia suffers, but since we see russia actually advancing - probably means that Ukraine didn't get all those billions of dollars 🤷♂
Great interview! Thank you.🇺🇦🇺🇸☮️
Interesting and excellent as always
I was surprised you kept Ben Hodges "on hold" to give most of your focus and attention to Maxim Tucker. Nothing wrong with Maxim. He's bright. But he's your in-studio Times colleague whom you can interview anytime you want (and he can't say no). Lol... I suppose I simply can't imagine, personally, keeping General Ben Hodges off-camera, not engaged in discussion, twiddling his thumbs.🙄
Good interview ! I feel angry and frustrated with the US Repub congress for holding up aid. As Malcom Nance has said "Donald Trump is essentially a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vladimir Putin’s regime" and I totally agree. Trump is a danger and an embarrassment to the US even as an ex-president (also thanks to Putin).
But he's popular with many Americans - Amazing?
Tucker, regarding Crimea: "So for that [Crimea]...to go over to Ukraine, and then for a Ukrainian government that might be hostile to Russia was unthinkable for Putin at that time."
What a joke. Ukraine let Russia use Sevastopol as a military base, in the same way that the Philippines let the U.S. use Subic Bay. Zero justification for an annexation.
If Putin wasn't either evil or living in the 18th Century, that friendly relationship could be nothing but very thinkable.
He's a war criminal. Crimea isn't all he should lose. He should cease to be.
Russians joined the navy to see the world. What did they see? The bottom of the Black Sea.
😂👍👍Love it. 💙🇺🇦💛
I don't like this journalist: he likes to hear himself speak too much. Normally I skip his interviews, but Gen Hodges is worth listening to regardless who interviews him.
In this case his questions are more succinct than usual, and he does seem to make an effort to keep his speaking time to a minimum. Perhaps he is learning, I would applaud that. I'll give him another chance. As usual for Times Radio, both guests are top-notch.
A lot of the Russians would have to leave Crimea if the place was retaken as they have elected to have a Russian passport. No visa for their stay!
James, thank you. These are always good sessions.
What if Ukraine retake Crimea,,,,
Then Russia would not need a land bridge through Ukraine...
these 3 men look like the same person at progressively more advanced stages of their life.
Hey, go away Russian bot!
Thank you
It makes me so happy when people are kind to you ❤
??
Was for Hodges
Are we really talking about this at this point in time? With Ukraine again being pushed back albeit marginally?
Different fronts, different vulnerabilities, different capabilities needed, etc.
Ukraine can live without part of its eastern territory but to be able to be a functional state it needs access to the black sea and thus secure Crimea.
And russia is not winning there AT ALL.
Russia already lost control of the black sea, its airspace as well as the black sea harbours in Crimea, airbases etc.
Work in progress....
Yes. Because the loss of a few metres of land temporarily is not that big of a deal. The aid is coming this year, along with their own military industry. Ukraine is innovative and entrepreneurial and ruzzia is not. Ukraine has full access to Western technologies and ruzzia does not. Ukraine also tries to preserve the lives of its troops whereas ruzzia expends them recklessly.
It's important to note that Crimea was once a tropical paradise under Ukraine, but since Russia took over they have sullied it with their rusted ships and military installations.
“What do I think of Putin? He’s one smart cookie “
-Donald J. Trump
45th President of The United States & definitely not bought & paid for by Russia
I am really looking forward to the day when at least one thing Gen Hodges predicts comes true.
He has always added the caveat of the West supplying Ukraine properly for any fast victory. We are not going to see fast. Just steady. It will happen.
I think we'll be waiting a long time for that to happen, my friend.
We shall see who is right, the people in this video or other people who say that Ukraine has lost the war completely and that Crimea will remain Russian as it had been for the most part since 1783, save for 1954-2014. Who is right? Time will tell. The General's optimistic prediction for the summer offensive was way off, by the way.
Ukraine cannot give up Crimea as it would mean the Azov Sea becomes a Russian lake as Russia would control the only access to the Azov Sea, the Kurch Straight (which the Royal Navy sailed through to maintain international right of way)
Plus the oil off of Crimea.
Azov sea is a swamp dude ... no more than 7-8 yards deep ... ships cannot sail there ... irrelevant for transport of anything ... irrelevant economically, but it's a moot point bc Ukraine is not getting it back - ever ...
@@S3th4llna7Ukraine can live without part of its eastern territory but to be able to be a functional state it needs access to the black sea and thus secure Crimea.
And russia is not winning there.
Russia already lost control of the black sea, its airspace as well as the black sea harbours in Crimea, airbases etc.
Work in progress....
What Royal Navy ?
yep China trying to do the same in the Pacific and Iran also on their side.
Ukraine’s navy is now where America’s navy was after Pearl Harbor: With their “traditional” naval power destroyed, they’re realizing that a new form of naval power can be far more effective.
Ben and his bookshelf
Great interview! Thanks
"Moscow" cruiser has been build in Ukraine in Mykolaiv and it was upgrade in Ukraine too in 2000. Of course they new this ship! 😉
I think in the dictionary, next to ‘delusional’, you got the pic of this dude Hodges. Truly off his rocker
Hehehe... You funny Ruskie Troll. The picture you'll find next to "delusional" in any dictionary (_outside Russia_ that is) is Vladimir Putler holding up 3 fingers... representing "How long it will take Russia to conquer Kiev!"
I really like this James Hanson fella!
Can I please ask why we in the west have such a short memory, on the 6th December 1917 Finland declared independence From the Russian Empire then only one week later Crimea Tatars declared independence also, yet nobody even considers the fact that they invaded by the USSR and the ownership being argued over like a cheap dinner between The murdering Russians and Kinder Ukrainians. Sorry but when did freedom of a people become a argument between two other people, up to the late 19th century the Crimean Tatar were the majority the has changed sadly, but this is a result that they were not permitted to be the masters of their own country and their freedom is being fought over by two different people
That's pretty much the history of the Americas.
The Tatar population is fully on board with Ukraine retaking Crimea. They were treated fairly when in was part of Ukraine, as contrasted with the genocidal treatment they received at the hands of Stalin.
@@RichardTaylor1630 not just the Tartars either, the Orcs killed so many people, so many Ukrainians, first time when they declared independence, then the 1930,’s then the 40s the again now, that disgusting repulsive behaviour aside I can see the the culture disappear, being in Australia when the English managed to almost end 256 cultures, at first violently then most recently passively. Not a single school teachers people I their own language or culture alone, I personally believe that to guarantee your culture you need to have control and not rely on people. But an independent Crimea in a confederation with Ukraine seems like a nice compromise
What I really like about Ben is he spews recent history from a military perspective. His entire life required military and historical.