Posted on 09/10/2022 8:56:01 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Russia’s defense ministry on Saturday admitted its forces had retreated from key towns in northeastern Ukraine after a stunning advance by Ukrainian troops.
The Defense Ministry said it had pulled forces out of the village of Balakliya and the strategically crucial city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region, after a decision to “regroup” and transfer them to Donetsk in the south.”
The retreat represents one of the biggest setbacks for Russia since President Vladimir V. Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February.
“In order to achieve the goals of the special military operation, a decision was made to regroup troops in the areas of Balakliya and Izyum in order to build up efforts in the Donetsk direction,” the Russian military statement said.
Ukrainian forces retake key villages as counteroffensive advances
Although Russian officials sought to spin the developments — saying “a powerful fire was inflicted on the enemy using aviation, missile troops and artillery” as they withdrew — it was clear their troops were retreating to avoid being encircled. Ukrainian officials said the Russians had left behind equipment and ammunition.
Earlier, the commander leading Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, said Ukraine had full control of Balakliya and also controlled part of Kupyansk, an important strategic rail hub seen as crucial to Russia’s war effort in the region.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The elephant in the room.
If the Russians loose control of this war, will they use tactical nukes to regain control?
I could see a peace treaty. Donetsk and Luhansk will be part of Russia in exchange for a cease fire. Plus Crimea. Ukraine will ask for Polish peacekeepers.
In that scenario, my advice to Ukraine is to build nuclear weapons and aim them at St. Petersburg and Moscow. Otherwise Russia will just rearm and attack them a couple years later.
Russia better agree to withdraw and peace before Ukraine takes Krasnodor, Rostov and Belgorod in retaliation.
Someone said on a similar thread that if Russia used tactical nukes, Russia would lose any support it has. No other country would go along with it, with the possible exception of Iran. I tend to agree with that. I hope Putin isn’t that demented.
This counter offensive has been very alarming for people like me cheering on Russia in this conflict. So be it, tip your hat, Russia has to up their game.
That’s a good question. If they do, what will NATO do?
Very little chance. While I think Russia would use them as a last resort if Russia itself was being invaded, using them in a neighboring country is a non-starter. That would 1) damage and contaminate the very territory they want to possess, 2) alienate permanently all the inhabitants of that general area, friends/relatives, etc.; 3) Send fallout over their own people just across the border, as well as their own soldiers in the general area. It is impossible to prevent that from happening with any degree of certainty. And internationally, even China would freak out about that.
“Kremyanets Mountain
It is the best place to start exploration of Izyum. The mountain is located right on the highway Kharkov - Rostov.”
https://ukrainetrek.com/izyum-city
How would tac nukes help them regain control? Ukrainian forces are too dispersed and Russian forces and Russian civilians would also be affected by fallout. Plus the high probability of mass panic in Russia itself as millions try to flee Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Any WMD use would also probably bring NATO air assaults on Russian forces in Ukraine and the Black Sea fleet. Poland would probably also move immediately into full mobilization, threatening Kaliningrad and Byelorussia.
Pretty much a lose-lose scenario.
1,111 Russian officers killed BEFORE this large Ukrainian counter attack.
You would think Ukraine has won the war based upon the victory dancing here. More like scoring a touchdown in the second quarter.
We could trust Boris Yeltsin. But the thing was that he didn't rule Russia very long.
No, because the danger of the fallout harming Russia itself is too high.
THAT is the question.🙄
The Russians hate Poles. Won’t work.
And Ukraine does not believe Russia won’t return in 8 years for more land
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