The group think in here is absolutely mental. You all believe Ukraine are winning a war when there's graph showing that year to date they've retaken the same amount of land they lost earlier in the year. So tens of thousands of dead young men amounting to a net gain in land of zero
But I'm spreading misinformation lmao
If you look at how the land has changed. Basically Russia swept in, they grabbed loads of land from an at best semi prepared defense. They also already had large chunks ready to be handed over / supported by partisans to Russia.
Lets not forget footage of border guards being the only defence against a column of troops.
Ukraine countered and took a decent chunk back.
Throughout the summer of 22 Ukraine were getting themselves slowly back on the right track. Late 22 you had of course the counter attack.
Winter 23 Wagner slowly ground their way across Bahkmut. Not the Russian army.
Late spring 23 Wagner were done. And Ukraine finally started to get what they needed, the delayed summer offensive is only at that point starting to attack well fortified positions.
The last time the Russian army made any ground of any note was March 22. If you follow the channel such as I linked where he checks the Russian activities thats not for trying on their part. They would launch 40-50 combat missions a day. This is now reduced to around half that.
Its upto the countries leader, as it always has been (well leader back to times like cavemen) in order to decide if they fight for what is theirs, not just fold like a cheap Trump "made in chinaaa" Tshirt.
History has told us that giving up never ends well for your population.
Its partly the reason when electing your leaders you need to avoid people like Corbyn who will NOT do whats right should you end up in a situation like this.
Generally the more extreme right and more extreme left will let you down in this area, like they will in most other areas.
This was expected, just its taking longer than expected to break through. The slow pace is likely meaning the Russian are re-mining as they fall back. I think many analysts expected a heavier breakthrough. Carried away with how "the west" would do it having fought for ages, potentially, for air supremacy.
IMO this would be going far easier if Ukraine could create some pockets of air superiority in areas to support a more sustained breakthrough.
No one knows for sure (outside those who really know) but the majority of the analysis shows Russias capabilities being constantly reduced. Well trained and professional troops being heavily worn down. (Stuff like VDV being sent into defending trenches to hold lines), older and older equipment showing up at the front lines. The trainers as well in many cases being sent to fight themselves. Training ranges having no ammo, etc etc.
Whilst Ukraine is constantly being refreshed with more equipment, better equipment. Their troops are mainly getting training in places with the best forces in the world. Whilst that training is only basic its better than the conscripted Russians are getting.
A lot of Ukraines forces are still using old training (which actually is why they revert to closer to Soviet methodology) and old soviet equipment. Many of the more elite Ukrainian forces are in this position as they were already formed, the newer formed units getting sent for Western training and getting fully equipped with western arms, and western equipment.
The Ukrainian troops are mainly motivated by defending their lands, and in their minds righting wrongs committed by the invading Russians. The Russians are in many cases heavily demotivated, getting no rotation etc
How do we know a lot of this, intercepted Russian calls are available on youtube where much of the stuff above comes from their own troops.
Your not wrong in that its a massive and terrible waste of human life. You are wrong if you think its possible to negotiate in good faith with Putin, a perpetual liar with no regard for the international law, or good moral compass.
Everyone is all ears on how this ends non militarily without capitulation and giving up loads of land. Or with giving Ukraine what they need to push Russia well back.
Maybe they will come to the table at some point. Its certainly possible that they will again take some big chunks back.
Talk is now that a winter offensive which suits mechanised may well be on the cards. People get fixated that it would be like Stalingrad where the Germans were in sight but couldn't get there. Ukraine does suffer bad weather for sure, but its not the same challenge as it was then.
