Russia’s New Offensive Sends Conscripts Into the Teeth of Ukraine’s Lines

The New York Times ^ | February 27, 2023 | Andrew E. Kramer

[Timber Rattler]

Peering through an infrared scope, a Ukrainian soldier noticed some heads poking over a trench a few dozen yards away.

“‘Are there any of our guys in front of us?’” he asked, according to an account of the ensuing firefight by fellow Ukrainian soldiers.

There were not. Two Ukrainians crept forward into the muddy wasteland of artillery craters between the two trench lines outside the eastern city of Lyman, eventually reaching the wreckage of an armored personnel carrier. Using it as cover to shoot from an unexpected angle, they forced the Russians to retreat. When it was over, they found the body of one soldier.

(snip)

A year into the war in Ukraine, the Russian military has suffered staggering losses — as many as 200,000 troops killed or wounded, Western officials say, and thousands of tanks and armored vehicles destroyed or captured by Ukraine. Russia is running low on artillery shells and cruise missiles, and is having trouble replenishing its stocks because of Western sanctions. Many of its most elite, best-trained and experienced units have been decimated, left in a shambles that experts say will probably take years, rather than months, to recover from.

In the current offensive, Russia has chosen to try half a dozen attacks all along the Donbas front, rather than concentrate on a single assault. Yet, the opening attack, a tank assault on the coal mining city of Vuhledar, ended in failure, with dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers blown up by mines or abandoned in fields.

[Timber Rattler]

So the great "Russian winter offensive" we've all been promised is already bogged down.

[C210N]

According to the Slimes. And you.

[6ppc]

At this point I don’t believe any news I’m reading out of Ukraine or Russia.

[ClearCase_guy]

I give Ukraine 2-3 months. It’s over. They lost.

[ZOOKER]

Trenches and craters and mud.
Stagnant lines and heavy casualties for zero gains.
Sounds familiar.

[Pete Dovgan]

Interesting the propaganda.
We get different new from different sites.
Half the posts today say Ukraine is doing poorly, this article says the Russians are needing for every inch.
Oryx says Russian vehicle losses have gone back up to Summer levels, not much change in Ukraine losses.
200k Russian soldiers dead, which may be underestimating.
North Korea sending artillery shells to Russia, maybe China.

The battle lines haven’t changed much by the maps. Looks like Ukraine is fighting defensively. Suspect they are waiting for armor and training for summer push.

Something to ponder. NATO doctrine was always defense in Europe. To gain time for shipping and gearing up production against the hordes of Russian troops, artillery, and armor. How will NATO equipment fair in an offensive role without air superiority?

[Phoenix8]

Both sides are claiming ridiculously high casualties for the other side, and low for themselves.

I don’t trust either.

[hardspunned]

With the leadership the Ukes have, it’s no wonder they’re doing so well. I can now understand why you’re such a big fan.

https://youtu.be/UkmI1BHAr8I

[tlozo]

I give Ukraine 2-3 months. It’s over. They lost.

LOL, MacGregor, Ritter and Johnson have been repeatedly saying that since March 2022.

[Socon-Econ]

So the Ukraine has a volunteer army?

[hardspunned]

Watch Zelensky lead his followers and outwit what must be Russian police. Zelensky shakes his money maker while you rattle yours in unison. You idiots are supporting sending upwards of a $Billion a day to your pervert hero. Why don’t you go to San Francisco and blow your own money on your fellow “freedom fighters” like this guy.
https://twitter.com/charliekirk11/status/1630305715402469376?s=20

[Waverunner]

Exactly, There are no classic “ war correspondents / embeds” like the US allowed in Desert Storm. Neither side wants any foreign journalists/intelligence to interfere with the propaganda that is being put out. And the traditional neutral countries ie.. Sweden/Switzerland are supporting NATO so the Russians won’t let their citizens near the battle zone. At the end , people will wonder how the press got it so wrong. It’s because the modern clickbait/ad revenue generators never studied the role of journalists and the press in a free society. They used to be called the Fourth Estate, because they acted as the shadow fourth branch of our government, whose job was to keep everyone honest. Now the libtard professors teach activism as the most important thing you can do in any field of endeavor. Which is how you end up with scientists saying “ No virus from a lab in Wuhan”, without any research or investigation. And the press prints it without doing it’s old job, Which would have been to write an editorial that says basically, these guys might have credentials, but the way they arrived at their conclusion was bullshit and both disingenuous and stupid. Much like debating casualties in Ukraine without any credible data.

[wastedyears]

Because the New York Times can be trusted.

[blitz128]

Appreciate your opinion, but I don’t see it that way. Even if Russia manages to break through a line what do they have to exploit it with foot troops T-62s and bmp-1s. When they had all their assets and the element of surprise they failed.

Can they keep the meat grinder going, sure and I imagine they will because Putin is all in. He has to “win” or trip out of a 13 th story window.

A ground assault against Bradley 25mm auto cannons is a recipe for success.

Bakmut is a good example say they take it, Ukraine falls back, Russia gains a few kilometers and they are right back into the meat grinder

I certainly can be wrong but I see no massive offensive capability from them. Months trying to take one small town

[canuck_conservative]

I love the sound of Russia getting bogged down in the Donbas Quagmire in the morning

so Russia has advanced *all of 10 miles* in the last 6 months? LOL

Russia ain’t going nowhere ... this war will last for years ...

with Russia getting weaker every year ...

[Phoenix8]

I heartily agree with you especially the part on the press.
‘Who would have thought 30 years ago the press would have became the enemy of truth and freedom?

[ansel12]

What is that circling of his head bodyguard supposed to indicate?

[trebb]

That could’ve been a headline about our soldiers during ‘Nam...

[Cronos]

Let me contact you on 1june to show you how wrong you are

[EliRoom8]

"the Russians are needing for every inch" etc.???

What does that mean? Please don't drop articles, verbs, pronouns, or conjunctions from the text. They are generally included in text to help the reader follow the flow of your message. This reads like you are on the front lines of Donbass and just have time for a scribbled note before you grab your gun and return to the action. Disjointed, disconnected, and rushed half-thoughts are quite confusing to the ordinary bloke who wishes to glean from your insights.

"Oryx says Russian vehicle losses have gone back up to Summer levels, not much change in Ukraine losses."
Should we all know who/what Oryx is?? Perhaps the post is meant to be an "inside baseball" message for the select few who already know?? This is why parenthetical comments are sometimes added. (eg. Oryx is another poster on the FR forum; Oryx is a highly regarded intelligence journal)