[pierrem15]

I expect Ukrainian losses to go higher as they counterattack. The Russians seem to be digging in north of Kiev, although the Ukrainians seem to be trying to outflank them and have supposedly trapped a battalion sized group in Bucha.

The Russians also seem to be trying to consolidate their gains in the east and especially a land bridge to Russia from Crimea on the north side of the Azov Sea.

The siege of Mariopul is curiously stalled despite the passing of one deadline and issuance of another today. Some of the more recent footage I've seen were videos of Ukrainian tanks and IFVs fighting in the center Mariupol. I suspect the Ukrainians kept a lot of reserves waiting rather than overextending them trying to hold a bigger perimeter. The destruction of the city gives them lots of places to hide and will make the Russians pay a very high price to take it.

The disappearance of Shoigu is also rather curious.

[butlerweave]

Yesterday it said the Russians were running out of supplies

[PIF]

trapped a battalion sized group

—
Russian BTG (battalion Tactical Group) of about 800, sometimes 900

Battalion Tactical Group
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/army-btg.htm

Defeating the Russian Battalion Tactical Group
https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/earmor/content/issues/2017/spring/2Fiore17.pdf

[Alas Babylon!]

I suspect the Ukrainians kept a lot of reserves waiting rather than overextending them trying to hold a bigger perimeter. The destruction of the city gives them lots of places to hide and will make the Russians pay a very high price to take it.

Just like Stalingrad.

Will Putin promote his general to a field marshal in Mariupol?