Russia is not taking territory because it has stalled.
Russia is not holding territory because it cannot defend it.
Both claims add up to losing. You are delusional if you think Russia can “win” when the nation cannot hold its gains in Ukraine. “Fluid” works when the war has only been lasting a short time and there is still some reserve strategy or strength not yet deployed. Its been nearly 8 months. What else does Russia have to change the balance?
Russia is attempting to take Bakhmut, is that not territory?
Other than that, Russia “not taking territory because it has stalled” is conjecture.
Russia is pushing one place. Furthermore, the rain and mud season is kicking off followed then by the frost and winter season.
How do you know that the Russians are not just lulling the Ukrainian to take land and more land - you know which require men and military hardware while building up forces from the mobilization, etc . and then making a push or starting an offensive?
Way to many variables to even remotely suggest a stall when they are indeed and have been attempting to take Bakhmut, the lynchpin of the Ukrainian southern defensive lines.
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“Russia is not holding territory because it cannot defend it”
Open terrain is indefensible.
And any fool attempting to hold and defend open terrain ultimately gets arse-clapped.
Ukrainians are pulling their reserves and garrison reserves from Odessa, Kyiv, etc. to make this push and to keep the ‘momentum of the push relative. At what cost? Time will tell. In the meantime, Ukraine loses manpower and military equipment it that it cannot afford to be wasting or losing.