In response to statements that Vladimir Putin and different Russian officers have made on state-run media, there are three targets for the “particular army motion” in Ukraine.
One is to safe all of Donetsk and Luhansk oblast and convey them into Russia. The concept that both will probably be an impartial “individuals’s republic,” or that there is likely to be some type of referendum to find out their destiny is now previous hat. They’ll simply be a part of Russia. And prefer it.
The second is to safe a land bridge between the Donbas and Russian-occupied Crimea. Mariupol nonetheless sits in the midst of this area like a giant center finger to Putin’s ambitions, however apart from the resistance nonetheless putting out from Azovstal, that is the one a part of Putin’s plan that is kind of going to plan.
The third aim is … denazification … or demilitarization … or one thing like that. Which Putin appears free to redefine at each speech. In the intervening time, it appears to be merely an excuse to kill anybody who opposes being dominated by Russia. Which is a quantity roughly equal to everybody.
In fact, these targets have solely the loosest connection to what Russia is definitely doing in Ukraine. Combating is happening far outdoors the Donbas, and Russia now seems to have determined that Kherson is an impartial republic. Strike that. Russian protectorate. Strike that. Russian colony. Putin can be persevering with to fling missiles in all places in Ukraine, virtually all of them at civilian targets. When the primary “hypersonic” missile was launched into Ukraine, it was a giant deal. Now Russia has launched someplace round a dozen, principally into Lviv, Odesa, and different cities within the west. These appear to have no goal apart from inflicting demise and destruction. He’s killing individuals, as a result of he can.
The U.S. Division of Protection assesses that Putin’s plans haven’t modified from the start. Certain, he misplaced the Battle of Kyiv, however that was only a setback. Sure, capturing the Donbas and a land bridge to Crimea is the naked minimal that Putin can name a “victory.” However there’s completely no cause to suppose Putin will cease there if these targets are achieved.
In truth there isn’t a purple line, neither within the sense of targets achieved, or materiel losses, that may trigger Putin to name a cease. He gained’t cease if 50,000 Russian troopers are lifeless. He actually gained’t cease if his forces get pleasure from sufficient success to attain targets one and two. Putin will cease when he’s made to cease. When it turns into clear that every single day the invasion continues issues are going to worsen for each Russia and the Russian army, and most significantly, that they’re going to worsen for Vladimir Putin.
One other day, one other tried bridge crossing. And as soon as once more, the tally of Russian losses is solely superb.
From the photographs simply alongside the riverbank, it was onerous to inform simply what a devastating defeat Russia suffered in that thwarted try on Wednesday, however with an opportunity to evaluation further pictures, it’s clear that the losses had been even better than thought.
Translations from Russian sources really put the variety of automobiles misplaced at 78.
The M777 howitzers despatched by the U.S. have gotten many of the consideration, however there are different methods which were offered to Ukraine that might additionally make an enormous distinction. Amongst them are M113 APCs. We final noticed them in Georgia, being lined up for cargo.
Now they’re really rolling by means of the mud in jap Ukraine, and it appears to be like like some Ukrainian troops are having fun with the trip.
As with Popasna, Rubizhne is a type of areas the place Ukrainian forces have repelled one advance after one other throughout weeks of heavy combating. The town has gone down virtually avenue by avenue, however in the previous couple of days it was clear that remaining troops had been being pressured to step again to the south, particularly after Russian forces captured the village of Vojevodivka, which guarded the highway connecting Rubizhne and Severodonetsk.
Capturing Severodonetsk is a significant aim for Russia, as it’s now the one giant Ukrainian holding on the east financial institution of that ubiquitous Siverskyi Donets River. With forces pushing up from the breakthrough at Popasna, and Severodonetsk beneath assault from three sides, Ukraine must be contemplating pulling again from these easternmost areas beneath its management. Experiences point out that Russian troops at the moment are pushing into town from each north and south.
Progress out of the Izyum salient continues to be all however nonexistent, and the quick motion of Ukrainian forces north of Kharkiv has induced Russia to shift some tactical teams north to guard in opposition to a attainable breach of their provide strains. However on this one space, Russia appears to be grinding out yardage, and it’s not clear that Ukraine is able to holding this final place east of the river. Ukrainian commanders on the bottom at Severodonetsk say they anticipate an “all out floor assault” by Russian forces throughout the subsequent day.
Pulling surprises out of their helmet appears to be a Ukrainian specialty. They want a giant one in Severodonetsk.
MilitaryLand.web’s every day evaluation for day 78…
- Ukrainian forces have retreated from Rubizhne in direction of Severodonetsk and Pryvillia. Alongside the way in which, Ukrainian troops blew up a bridge connecting Rubizhne and Severodonetsk, although primarily based on pictures, this was a small bridge and shouldn’t be anticipated to kind a significant impediment to Russia’s advance.
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Russian troops tried to interrupt by means of Ukrainian strains close to Novoselivka, “however the assault was repulsed.” Learn that as Russia shedding extra males and gear.
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Ukraine has moved some forces that had been nonetheless up round Sumy to assist the jap space.
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Russian forces failed in an assault on Zelene Pole, and in an assault on Marinka, and in an assault on Avdiivka. Once more, learn every of these failures as having a value.
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The 2 ends of the road — round Kherson and Kharkiv — had no vital adjustments of positions on Thursday.
