Ukraine Watch...

[UndercoverElephant]

Russia claims full control of Bakhmut,

The ultimate example of a Pyrrhic victory.

[Mark]

I'm surprised the media hasn't elaborated more on that massive seismic explosion in Ukraine last weekend which I fear took out a lot of donated kit, maybe it's just not good for public consumption !

[UndercoverElephant]

I'm surprised the media hasn't elaborated more on that massive seismic explosion in Ukraine last weekend which I fear took out a lot of donated kit, maybe it's just not good for public consumption !

" If it was a massive seismic explosion" then it was more likely to be ammunition.

[PS_RalphW]

Reports of incursion into Belgorod by "Russian saboteurs". Probably timed to distract Russia from the real direction of the counteroffensive.

[UndercoverElephant]

More drone attacks, and Russia "threatening harsh response". They have no meaningful threats left to make.

This is a very interesting development. It is impossible for the Russians to prove this is the work of the official Ukrainian authorities rather than people acting independently. But it has the potential to cause them serious problems.

[kenneal - lagger]

The Belgorod incursion Ukraine using foreign volunteer troops to make Russia withdraw troops from Ukraine to bolster their border defence to reduce the opposition to their new offensive. Ukraine has had to defend its whole border with both Russia and Belarus, just in case, so Ukraine is making Russia do the same.

Russia is getting short of troops and equipment to the extent that they couldn't mount another attack on Ukraine, or anywhere else for that matter, so they are going to be dangerously stretched in Ukraine. If they don't move any troops we can expect another, possibly bigger, attack to force the move. It is also embarrassing for Putin more at home than abroad. How can Russia's performance anywhere cause any more embarrassment in the west? They are a laughing stock as it is.

[UndercoverElephant]

Russia is getting short of troops and equipment to the extent that they couldn't mount another attack on Ukraine

One look at the defensive line the Russians have built tells us they have no intention of further significant territorial advances. They have committed everything to defending what they've currently got. If they move forwards, then they have to rebuild the defences in a new location.

[clv101]

One look at the defensive line the Russians have built tells us they have no intention of further significant territorial advances. They have committed everything to defending what they've currently got. If they move forwards, then they have to rebuild the defences in a new location.

Yes, it is looking like they are digging in and planning to hold the current line for the long term.

[UndercoverElephant]

One look at the defensive line the Russians have built tells us they have no intention of further significant territorial advances. They have committed everything to defending what they've currently got. If they move forwards, then they have to rebuild the defences in a new location.

Yes, it is looking like they are digging in and planning to hold the current line for the long term.

Not a great plan though. The defences only need to be seriously breached in one location and the whole line is busted.

[kenneal - lagger]

And the line is very thin and getting thinner as the Russians find that they can't leave their own border untended. Also, the moral of those troops is not good at all.

[BritDownUnder]

Being in a fixed position makes them easier to target I suppose. I am sure they will get plenty of new volunteers to man the defenses.

[invalid]

It does appear that the Russian bear is happy to sit back and take out some of these 'advanced' western munitions from a position of comfort!

[kenneal - lagger]

It does appear that the Russian bear is happy to sit back and take out some of these 'advanced' western munitions from a position of comfort!

The Russian bear doesn't have any option as their forces have been degraded to the extent that they can't mount an effective attack any more. Having to bring 1950s tanks out of storage for use on the battle field says it all really.

[UndercoverElephant]

It does appear that the Russian bear is happy to sit back and take out some of these 'advanced' western munitions from a position of comfort!

This is what is known as "mission creep".

[PS_RalphW]

Ukraine sends multiple drones over to Moscow to give the Russian people a little reminder of what they have been suffering in Kiev the last month. No reports of significant casualties yet, or what the targets were, although I expect most were intercepted.