If you surround the enemy, there is the chance that they will fight to the last man.
If you leave an opening, the enemy can run away rather than fight.
Those “safe corridors for civilians and aid”, may also serve a third purpose.
That’s some Sun Tzu right there!
True. The safe corridors also facilitate the ethnic cleansing Putin desires. Why force people out when they are willing to leave voluntarily?
Sun Tzu: Build a golden bridge for the enemy to retreat.
General Tso: And make sure they have tasty food, too.
“Those “safe corridors for civilians and aid”, may also serve a third purpose.”
Goodness, gracious, someone who understands strategy. If he offers the potential shooters of weapons an opportunity to walk away safely, he is cutting down the resistance without firing a shot or being shot at. And if enough of them leave, it will impress others still in the city that the tiny resistance they are creating is futile. He doesn’t want to level the city, which he is capable of. He would like under a peaceable scenario to take over the city and invite those back to run it for him. They both need the commerce. And the oil and gas.
wy69