Posted on 08/17/2022 9:11:58 AM PDT by Mariner
KYIV — For two months, Ukraine has been signaling its intent to recapture the southern city of Kherson in what has been billed as a major counteroffensive and the moment that Kyiv turns the tide against Russia.
What that push will look like is still a mystery, however. Ukrainian artillery and rockets provided by the U.S. and allies have smashed bridges and Russian ammunition depots close to the city, but the larger movement of infantry has yet to happen. Meanwhile, the Russians are reinforcing and digging in.
Ukrainian officials have long said the fate of the war could be decided in the south and claimed that a series of suspicious attacks on Russian military installations far beyond the frontline — including two massive explosions at a Russian airbase in Crimea on Tuesday — indicated the counteroffensive had begun.
But even with billions of dollars worth of weapons from across Europe and North America now in Ukrainian hands, real questions remain over whether it’s enough, and what enough might look like.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
They won't.
They'll never possess it again.
The plans are on Hunter’s laptop.
Apparently Russia bolstered their forces to 25K soldiers in that area. They are now at risk of being cut off from supply as the bridges to their area are being destroyed. Was it all a feint? That would imply a level of ingenuity the Ukrainian Army hasn’t displayed anywhere else.
Like any good long con, there is always the *next* request for money with the promise of reward, which never happens.
“More money first, please.”
Waiting for more Biden-weapons. Keep some, sell the rest.
$$$$ Billions in Ukraine Aid = 10% for the big guy - 15% for Hunter - 75% for George Washington Zelensky to buy a new Villa and bigger Yacht.
It was a fund raising propaganda offensive.
The marks got scammed.
Mission accomplished!
I think it was a feint ..
There are several UK MOD bases currently billeting a couple of thousand trainees each. They’re going through basic training in batches.
Unlike the Kraken, they definitely do exist and they will be released before Christmas.
End of October would be my guess based on visa allocations and advertised contract windows.
Ukraine has telegraphed its big counteroffensive for months. So where is it?Nice own goal.
From https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4086278/posts
“
the Russian invaders have become entirely reactive - they no longer dictate where the fighting should occur and when. For instance, when Ukraine broadcasted their plans to counter-attack towards Kherson, Russia drew down the resources for their offensives in Donbas and rushed these to the south to counter the Ukrainian initiative.
As the Russians crammed forces across the River Dnipro, Ukrainians simply applied their long-range artillery to destroy the sole remaining bridge there (the Antonivskyy bridge) and the Russians on the western bank of the Dnipro are now stuck and cut off from their lines of communication. In the mean while, Ukrainian forces started counter-attacking towards Izium and Russia lack the reserves to respond. Nor can Russia redeploy their forces in Kherson, because the bridge is down and the entire area is now a death trap.”
Effective deception has long been an important strategic component of war. I don't know who is "winning" this war, but it doesn't seem to be going away. Time is not on Russia's side. If Russia moved forces in reaction to a stated counter offensive, it seems plausible that Ukrainian leadership at least anticipated it. Ukraine has already proved to be more capable than the world expected. Is it that big of a stretch to imagine it was strategic deception?
I don't know what a Russian victory looks like. But I know what a "quagmire" looks like, and the "Russian invasion" seems to be shaping up to fit the bill thus far.
You nailed it!
If a party in a war says it will definitely, positively do X, you can bet that X is the last thing on their mind. It’s called disinformation. Did the Allies say they would definitely invade Normandy?
“Ukraine has telegraphed its big counteroffensive for months. So where is it?”
Ukraine started the offensive by systematically destroying airbases and munitions supplies in the area and they’ve also targeted the bridges in the area to prevent a Russian retreat from Kherson.
Unlike the Russians who started an offensive without first preparing the way for the offensive the Ukies are taking out the REMFs before going head to head with the Orc combat troops.
Destroying the bridges of the Dnieper in the south is going to cause supply shortages for the Russians defending Kherson.
Maybe then the Ukraine will start its attack.
Agree.
The announcements are simply to rake in more money.
“Ukrainian advocates and agents”
Ok, Mr. Russian Advocate/Agent.
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