Been a wobbly start to the Ukrainian summer offensive, Ukraine being what it is - a flat open field with little cover means if you want to make progress at some point you're going to have to expose yourself to fields of anti tank mines & incoming artillery fire.
If you're a half decent observer it's an easy days work.

Edited by Ouzo Dan (10 Jun 2023 8.49am)

The mountains are calling & I must go.

The Ukrainians are yet to break through a first line yet and the weakest section of that central zone has three lines and then it's a choke point.

Without air superiority it just seems like madness.....throwing away lives and equipment.

I get the impression that Ukraine are desperate to have something to show Nato for their meeting on the 20th.

If their counter offensive fails to take significant ground enough to attack the Crimea bridge then it will be interesting to see how much Russia have to counter them with.....though I imagine that within this central area that Ukraine also have very strong defences.....but they are going to need the men and equipment if that happens.

Edited by Stirlingsays (10 Jun 2023 5.35pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

'News' about Wagner, or just media politically-fed bvll5hlt ?

[Link]

"Russia appears to have moved to take direct control of Wagner, after months of infighting between defence officials and the private military group.
Deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Pankov said on Saturday "volunteer formations" will be asked to sign contracts directly with the ministry of defence.
The vaguely worded statement is widely believed to target the group.
But in a furious statement on Sunday, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said his forces would boycott the contracts." (BBC website)

Potential for a Russian civil war, which would be actively encouraged by any Western Operatives in that region.

Let's see. Probably just posturing

I disengage, I turn the page.

Prigozhin says Wagner will return to the front lines on August 5th. He has sent his own form of the contracts. We will see I guess.

There is no doubt that there exists significant animosity between Wagner and their MoD and instances of infighting have occurred between units.

Wagner isn't big enough to wage a civil war and Prignozhin is no friend of the west. If Russia lose and some kind of break up happens, it's very dangerous for all concerned considering they have so many nuclear weapons.

Many people think that Putin is some kind of Hitler figure but they have little idea that he's actually far less hardline than many of the major players near to power. There isn't the realistic possibility of some kind of pro western government in Russia.

To my mind the best approach to diplomatic after this war....if that's even possible now. If the Democrats carry on with their current approach the war continues, but if they lose the election next year it's probable that the Republicans can rid us of this war both physical in Ukraine and cold with the west.....reducing the nuclear threat and damaging worldwide economic division, which is our cost of living and hunger in the third world....as grain exports are severely affected.

Edited by Stirlingsays (18 Jun 2023 3.13pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

The battlefield is extremely active over most of the front lines. Most of it receives scant coverage.

While it looks like Ukraine are preparing for their major push in the southern and central sector their counter offensive still hasn't reached the first Russian fortification line yet.

The Russians are carrying out there own smaller offensive in the east and it looks likely that unless Ukraine move some reserves the Russians are moving towards another of their cities Kupiansk and its surrounding areas.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

It's very early on to say that much really.

Wagner has an estimated 25, 000 forces, so a coup is highly unlikely unless other generals join him and the west has nothing to offer them but civil war. I think Surovikin has already come out against it.

Wagner's main forces are an estimated 1000 miles from Moscow, not seeing how they would even get there as aviation would take them out if they got close.

Seems strange as things seem to be going well for Russian forces at the moment.

Edited by Stirlingsays (24 Jun 2023 3.39am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)