The Putinas are missing the big point here. Thousands of Russian troops are now going to rescue Kherson and not to push the occupation ahead in Donbas. Now Ukraine will hammer with NATO toys on that weakened front, too.
It’s obvious now Russia can’t win and must force Ukraine to surrender to avoid a catastrophic defeat. That’s why so much Kremlin gaslighting effort is going into cutting off western support and forcing Ukraine to surrender.
“It’s obvious now Russia can’t win and must force Ukraine to surrender to avoid a catastrophic defeat. That’s why so much Kremlin gaslighting effort is going into cutting off western support and forcing Ukraine to surrender.”
Putin pushed his energy weapon to the maximum setting by shutting off Nordstream - and the markets just yawned. Spot prices for natural gas dropped that day.
Putin has lost his big gamble, and the consequences are coming home to roost.
Someone on this thread said that Russia is now pushing hard for a negotiated settlement. I don’t think Russia would be doing that if it was kicking ass. Russia certainly did not expect this much resistance from Ukraine, and Russia fears a quagmire. Ukraine is not France in 1940.
I think the momentum may be turning in Ukraine’s favor, but it is very fragile at this point; anything can happen. Ukraine’s counter-offensive is still in its infancy, so the next three or four months will give us all a better idea where this thing is heading. If, in three or four months Ukraine is spent, then this turns into a partisan and insurgent war, which could last for years.