Russia - threadbanned users in OP

The senator said that when the Soviets shot down American planes "the world didn't end."

Ah so the Americans can shoot down Russian planes over Ukraine without nuclear retaliation comrade?

It's possible for me to drink Lough Derg if I stick to the tactic of one spoonful at a time... Well, not actually, no, because there are other circumstances that make that practically impossible - replenishing rain and my own lifespan for two. By the same token, Russia does not have infinite time to make small gains until they have achieved their objectives (and I believe that whatever Russia says publicly, Putin wants Kyiv most of all), and that's assuming that Russia can even hold the gains they make. Despite missile attacks upon Odessa, Russia has shown no capability so far to make a credible infantry push towards that city.

Some 15,000 civilians remain trapped in Severodonetsk, with many of them taking shelter at the massive Azot chemical plant.

where are the Azot battalion?

Reminds me of that video of the American soldier who fought in Ukraine a few weeks ago.

Says the Russian army are poor fighters.

When the host said they are meant to be the second best in the world he responded and said Russia fooled everyone with their propaganda machine saying how great they were.

Were now seeing it was a bunch of nonsense.

Its what they do.

Whatever happens to the Mariupol soldiers who surrendered?

Can only imagine.

That's fairly improbable with things now so entrenched and the weapons would have to get where they need them. It is part of his very excellent and persistent PR campaign.

Russia is really turning the screw in the East

A lot of chatter in the US that Russia is angeling to get Belarus involved. Pres Joe Biden feared that long-range weapons in Ukraine might be used to hit Russian targets up there, playing into Putins hand and getting Lukashenko involved. The est cost looks like it might fall into Russian hands over the summer but the main focal point for Kyiv is to ensure they do not over-commit troops to the est and exposes the west. Putin's big weakness is he has now committed to the long term in Ukraine and that in fact suits Kyiv as they have a lot of new recruits in training that are a few months away from deployment. Likewise, it takes time for the Ukraine army to be fully compliant in using heavy weapons that are been supplied to them.

It might look bad for Ukraine just now but if they see out the summer, things will swing back their way by Autumn. It is a case of formulating a plan to retake the ports, cutting off Russian land-based troops from rapid resupplies. Without the ports, Russia would get gonzoed in a few weeks.

Probably. I don’t buy the theory that some have said that when the ground dries the Russian tank formations will be free to roam the countryside and will make much greater progress.

A win at Severodonetsk while sustaining heavy loss of equipment is essentially a strategic defeat.

He was out for a pint last week. Got into a bit of a scuffle outside Red Square Supermacs after closing time but had his bodyguard shoot the other fella fairly lively

relentless attacks all across the Kherson front

I think rashists should be written russists...