Posted on 05/21/2024 9:26:02 AM PDT by marcusmaximus
Everyone expected Russia to launch a new offensive in Ukraine on May 9. That’s because May 9 is Victory Day in Russia – the day the country celebrates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
It’s a symbolic day for a war of choice that’s less about territory or resources than it is about Russian strongman Vladimir Putin’s conception of himself as a new Russian emperor lording over a thriving Russian empire.
But Putin’s new Russian empire is a farce, albeit a nightmarishly bloody one. And his Victory Day offensive is a farce, too. Less than two weeks after the first Russian platoons marched across Ukraine’s northern border with Russia, just north of Kharkiv, the Russian operation has ground to a halt after just a few miles.
Even worse for the nearly 500,000-person Russian army of occupation in Russia, the northern offensive has overextended Russian logistics and armor support and forced unprotected infantry to attack on foot. The Russian casualty rate was high before Victory Day. Now it’s catastrophically high as Ukrainian mechanized brigades reinforce the northern front.
-snip-
No one outside of the Kremlin knows what the offensive’s actual military objectives were supposed to be. But in strictly military terms, the offensive almost certainly wasn’t worth it. Not only did the Russians fail to gain control of any important terrain, they also squandered offensive firepower that might have made more of a difference elsewhere along the 700-mile front line.
One possibility is that Russian commanders hoped their 30,000-strong northern force would break through Ukrainian defences and drive toward Kharkiv, 20 miles to the south. Alternatively, they may have intended for Ukrainian commanders to think the Russians were aiming for Kharkiv – all in order to compel the Ukrainians to redeploy every available brigade from
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Keep an eye on Novorossiysk tonight. Kerch, too.
You look like a testosterone deficient little fool when you constantly use the ridiculous term “doink” marcimaxipad.
Kerch is the main target here. If that bridge gets destroyed then Crimea becomes untenable for Russia.
3 dead Russians per square mile of territory taken.
L
Kerch bridge is the final target. Still a lot of work to be done before.
But, but….the entire Russian economy was supposed to collapse in a week.
Kyiv in 3 days!
lol David Axe lol
Moscow in a week!
Everyone except for The Putin and The Russia.
May 21st in zero days!
Azov guys! Bring your zElenskyy replacement president!
Volodymyr Zelensky cannot be a legitimate president after May 21 under the Ukrainian constitution, Viktor Medvedchuk, leader of the Other Ukraine movement and former head of the Opposition Platform - For Life party (outlawed in Ukraine), said in a recent interview.
Kharkiv in 3 days! May 9 offensive stronk as Raisi!
Is there still a Black Sea Fleet?
False.
There’s gotta be a pony in here somewhere.
Crimea by summer 2023 2024!
Azov guys!
Bring your parade Speedos and parade yams!
Remember to put your parade yams in the front instead of the back, like you did last time!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.