@EugeneParallax

2 years ago

- Ukraine practically did not push any Russian soldiers out of northern front. They have launched another offensive into Kherson region, which primed Russia to relocate forces from the north, and it was completely obliterated. Ukraine have retook the territories that are thus were held by few militia and police forces, which upon facing the advance were ordered to retreat into more defendable positions.

- It is unclear why Russia have decided to give up these territories, but given the forthcoming referendums, the negotiations with local authorities might have failed and Russia simply have no reason to protect pro-Ukraine territories.

- The mobilization was not done out of desperation. Russia have suffered little to no casualties during the retreat, and supplies/vehicles abandoned are completely irrelevant. The mobilization is in accordance with referendums, which now would necessitate a broad front defense and counter-offensive actions, which the original 120k SMO troops are not sufficient for. Even with these additional 300k reserve troops added, this does not constitute even a third of Russia's standing army.

- Russia have no need to use nuclear weapons unless Western powers engage it directly or use them against Russia first. Putin simply meant that a "soft war" approach to the military action is now over. Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporozhie regions have returned to Russia. The new lines have been drawn, and Putin's self-imposed obligation to withhold force and firepower to preserve Ukraine's infrastructure will no longer apply.

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