Russia and Ukraine

[Thumpalumpacus]

I've seen some of the video, it's horrific. Meanwhile, ISW reports that those Russian lives were thrown away because they couldn't or wouldn't wait to assemble a force capable of executing the mission, instead throwing their troops away in penny-packets, as the Brits say.

Also meanwhile, the Russians are evacuating Kherson and the west bank of the Dneipr River, the the exception of defensive positions NW of that city. It looks to me like they finally grew a couple of neurons and realized you need good troops to mount an effective rearguard -- they have moved airborne troops into those defensive spots. But you know as well as I do what that means -- those airborne troops are now relying upon green troops on the other side of the river to secure their flanks and supply lines to Sevastopol.

I suspect it's only a matter of time before the Ukrainians launch a thrust to Kerch and well and truly fuck the southern Russian front.

I’ve heard that Ukrainian Generals are still not underestimating them. The whole thing might be a trap. And Russians still have an advantage of numbers and artillery. Ukraine is therefore asking for more modern artillery and better air defense systems.
 
Also the toll on civilians is beginning to be felt. So although everyone wants to see an end to this conflict as soon as possible. It’s still a relatively strong army they are facing.

Forewarned is forearmed, and I think the Russians may yet regret having stuck some of their (relatively) better troops into what is essentially a no-win situation. After seeing eight months of their offensive actions going kaput, I'm not sure at all that they can manage a respectable rearguard and retreat under fire -- especially when their rear is covered by second-rate troops. The branch may well be sawed off before the forward force makes it back to the trunk to climb down safely.