The Russian objective is not so much to take ground as to destroy Ukrainian military units.
If they can surround and kill another 10,000 in Lysychansk, they will happily do so.
“If they can surround and kill another 10,000 in Lysychansk, they will happily do so.”
One of my sources was saying that the Russians were idiots to not first encircle them there, as they were Ukraine’s best troops and would simply withdraw to the west of the country and then train the hordes of new recruits. But given what’s going on there, I’d say Russia knew they would be forced to fight to the death there.
Yep, Russians changed strategy from aggressive mobility to a slow pressure campaign. It seems to be working so far. Ukraine does effectively have all the surveillance NATO can offer, so rapid advances are spotted and countered effectively by Ukraine. Plan B for Russia appears to be an artillery meat grinder. I think Ukraine’s refusal to do tactical retreats is helping the Russians. Leaving men to perish in doomed campaigns seems really stupid to me, but I’m far from an expert.
Which side is more easily able to handle the attrition?
The Russian’s are in the same bind we were in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam. Generals boasting about kill stats while not realizing that the enemy has an infinite reserve of manpower.