So far the Russians have not yet taken Mariupol, the forces north of Kiev are being outflanked from the west and their attempt to bypass Kharkov by moving south of Izyum is stalled. Plus the Ukrainians are about to receive some serious anti-ship missiles, which should make Russia's Black sea fleet nervous and dramatically increase the cost to Putin.
Looks to me like Putin is trying to salvage what he can by cutting off a bigger chunk of the eastern oblasts and keeping a land bridge to Crimea.
Who will win? Beats me. It's likely to be a long slog.
“Looks to me like Putin is trying to salvage what he can by cutting off a bigger chunk of the eastern oblasts and keeping a land bridge to Crimea.
Who will win? Beats me. It’s likely to be a long slog”
How exactly do you know that Putin is trying to salvage what he has? His military intentions are actually unknown except to keep the Ukes from joining NATO. Unlike our government, he does not publish his strategy on worldwide media.
Will it be long? It depends on what you call long. My best guess is it will be over by the end of April or sooner. Certainly much, much shorter than our invasions of Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, which did not turn out too well — regardless of intentions. On top of that nothing was salvaged. In fact, it was just the opposite.
Russia will achieve the goal of keeping the Ukes out of NATO and he will gain independence for the east of Ukraine. Who knows what will happen to the rest and who really cares? Maybe the “big guy” will be broken-hearted, but that’s about it.