The blitzkrieg is over. Each day is going to help the Ukrainian defenders. Russian options are limited. They'll have to use Chechens as shock troops. They are fanatical so they do not fear death. Spectnaz units are made of quality but they are limited in numbers. They'll have to hold the conscripts back. They are not motivated to fight, they'll either get killed or they will surrender once they enter the city limits. Other option is to surround the city and to make them starve. But it's a big city so it's too easy to resupply it. Putin needed more troops here. Time is not on his side. So he needs to make a decision quickly to achieve favorable terms.
I wouldn’t disagree with any of that.
Putin is going to be getting some severe push-back at home
> IMO. I think his leadership has run its course. Folks
are tired of him.
I’m not sure they are going to take Kiev, and if they don’t
under Putin’s “Supreme Leadership Skills” (according to him)
I think he’s on thin ice.
As for the Chechens, I think their leader was taken out
today. That doesn’t bode well for them.
It appears the Ukrainians are not disposed to be walked on.
They are getting some supplies, and those supplies seem to
be pretty devastating.
Not really happy to see any big numbers lost on either side
due to the nonsensical justification for this whole fiasco.