That was at the beginning of the SMO when Russia thought they had a deal with Zelensky and just needed to make a show of force to get Ukraine to submit.
Retreating from Kherson was the best idea, unlike what Ukraine did in failing to retreat from Bakhmut and losing so many troops in a losing cause.
unlike what Ukraine did in failing to retreat from Bakhmut and losing so many troops in a losing cause.
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Keep in mind this is a war amongst Slavs. Common blood, brothers. History shows they are fierce fighters, both Russian and Ukrainian- they will both fight on to the end, regardless of casualties.
That said, the sheer manpower, wealth and manufacturing base of Russia dictates the Federation of Russia will “ win”, a Win being defined as the one who loses the least……attrition, plain and simple.
The Pentagon stating we have not seen a war this violent since WW2 says much.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine started February 24, 2022. The Kharkiv counteroffensive was from September 6 to October 1, 2022. They Battle of Kyiv ended in April 2022 with the Russian withdrawal. Your version of the peace talks is mixing Russian statements about the negotiations from the start of the invasion to after the Kherson counteroffensive was finished.
An yes, Russia did indeed capture Bakhmut. That is undeniably true. How did spending eighteen months to capture sixteen square miles turn out? The Russian hype was capturing Bakhmut would either open up Eastern Ukraine to Chasiv Yar, Kramatorsk, and all the way to the Dnipro River. The Russian army would steamroll across Ukraine or force Zelensky to negotiate on Russian terms to end the war. I don't remember any of that happening. Do you?