The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

[personaldesas]

Putin was greeted in Alaska with a handshake and a broad Trump grin, and momentum seemed on his side. But once behind closed doors, the warmth quickly faded, according to multiple people briefed on the talks. With just a handful of advisers present, Putin rejected the US offer of sanctions relief for a ceasefire, insisting the war would end only if Ukraine capitulated and ceded more territory in the Donbas

Putin’s military and security services provide him with regular updates extolling Russian tactical successes, claiming Ukraine is suffering higher casualty numbers and stressing Russia’s resource advantage, according to two people familiar with the matter. 'The whole thing is ideological for him. He still thinks he can win,' the senior western intelligence official said.

https://www.ft.com/content/7af3b49e-c4da-405b-8199-3e12957b78c2

 

[Deus Ex Machina]

He still thinks he can win? Why wouldn't he? Russia is slowly advancing and Ukraine is getting exhausted. Logic dictates that the more Ukraine relies on forcibly mobilised soldiers (and fewer), the less staunch the resistance will be. The ukrainian armed forces are sacrificing a lot to restrict the russian advance and give their politicians and their allies(?) the time to make progress. But what have they achieved all these years?

 

[Feanor]

https://www.ft.com/content/7af3b49e-c4da-405b-8199-3e12957b78c2

I think it's shocking anyone would be surprised by those two bits above. Of course Russia isn't going to accept a ceasefire for some sanctions relief. It would be a strategic dead end for them. And of course they think they can win, if by win we mean "pummel Ukraine into submission".

 

[seaspear]

If there were not any forcibly mobilised soldiers by either side this war would be over morale issue's on both sides with desertion on both sides appear significant , there are a number of reports that Russia pays bonuses to its officers for every bit of land they seize the cost in men and material immaterial ,the significant advantage the Russians had in artillery which Russia was claimed to be the largest user of such in the world gave it an eight to one advantage heavy losses to such have reportedly brought this down to on occasion only able present parity to Ukraine, barrel life of artillery is not indefinite and the usage of material left out in the open for fifty years or so must bring its own challenges making it fit for purpose and suggests very high losses .