[BeauBo]

The head of the Russian Occupation Administration in Kherson, was posting online last week from a hotel in Russia, while his deputy, the acting head, was shot dead in the street in Kherson.

[Rockingham]

Putin and a small clutch of pliant military advisers are said to be directing the war in Ukraine. In essence, Russia's badly equipped, demoralized, and overstretched forces are being run by an angry, arrogant ailing old KGB thug with no military experience. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians are fighting for national survival with the benefit of US and NATO weapons, intel, and military advice.

A local surrender of trapped Russian forces in the Kherson region is at least plausible if not likely. That could easily lead to a cascade of Russian retreats and a collapse of the Russian southern front that prompts Putin's ouster or forced resignation.