I agree that it’s likely to be a Pyrrhic victory and would’ve been a lot smarter much earlier in the war. Politically it helps but wouldn’t something like an incursion along the Belarus border be more strategically useful?
A Pyrrhic victory is one in which everybody dies and the thing you were fighting for is lost.
Unless the entire force is wiped out, an ultimate withdrawal would not mean there was no achievement.
The Ukrainians have proven quite capable of holding ground from the Russians. They will disrupt Russian supply, and will draw forces from other areas. Plus an embarrassment for Putin.
But they probably can’t invest the forces needed to hold the area.
Since Putin wants a truce to reflect the reality on the ground, it would be interesting if Ukraine could say, well we happen to be holding some Russian real estate.
I’m not that impressed by armored vehicles driving unopposed through rural areas, but I guess it illustrates Russia had no defense ready in this sector.
I’m glad to see the tanks able to accomplish something.
If Ukraine can do any lasting damage to that fuel transit town, that would be good, but I don’t know how much infrastructure there is to destroy.
Belarus adds an opponent on the north that Ukraine can’t really afford to open up. Again Ukraine doesn’t have the men for a two or three front war.
Like posted, it is most likely a counter assault to pull Russian resources off of other places. Or an operation to take out something local of strategic value.