11 Comments
May 3Liked by Phillips P. OBrien

Hi Mykola and Phillips many thanks for this.

Much of the UK media has gone into meltdown (which I don't understand) about Ukraine's prospects so it's great to hear calm and rational commentary in a sea of frenzied madness.

One never knows whether pleas for donations on X are legitimate but I now do a monthly subscription to Come Back Alive thanks to your endorsement which like Jonathan gives this raggedy old Falklands and Northern Ireland veteran a sense of empowerment.

Expand full comment
author

They really have gone into meltdown Tim. Its important not to let them control the narrative too much.

And Come Back Alive is as legitimate as they come! We really appreciate giving them any support you can.

Expand full comment

Another great episode, plus a dose of much needed optimism, thanks both.

Btw, Ive looked into your book, ‘htwww’, but its too niche ( and weighty) for me. So instead Ive rounded it up and made another dob into Come Back Alive, which I’m sure you’ll be ok with. Its genuinely empowering to feel one can help put weapons directly into the hands of Ukrainuan fighters…to do their jobs but also, indeed, hopefully to come back alive. And also, btw, can you give us your take on Macron’s excellent recent speech to NATO? Makes our ‘pint sized loser’ look and sound ever more ridiculous.

Expand full comment
author

I know about reading HTWWW--it has defeated many. Its rather long.

Macron's speech was excellent--and he has become Europe's rhetorical leader on this. He needs to start matching actions with words now.

Expand full comment

Yes! Is there a comparison of German and British military aid cf French aid for Ukraine. Rhetorical gestures are good (they can change the dialogue) but ya gotta walk the walk!

Expand full comment
May 3Liked by Phillips P. OBrien

Come Back Alive just made a little bank. And I haven’t even listened to this week’s episode yet!

Expand full comment
author

Thats great--thanks!

Expand full comment

500 ATACMS a year? Fuck yeah.

Expand full comment

While Russia seems to have managed to field what is now their third army in the field since February 2022, filled with poorly trained soldiers, they must be running out of company grade officers and NCOs with sufficient trianing to lead troops in this kind of battle. Without small unit leadership those formations will have very little capability.

Expand full comment

Many thanks for this great podcast. I wonder if you could dedicate sometime in the future about how far has Ukraine come in developing its own arms industry to be independent of foreign aid (I'm worried about Trump and later Le Pen winning)

Expand full comment

... to talking about how far... Sorry

Expand full comment