International relations thread

[Phil Sayers]

Russia says its withdrawing troops from the city of Kherson, If you can believe this its an humiliation for Putin, As an aside this is (or was) the only major regional centre the Russians managed to take control of during this whole dam invasion.

They are withdrawing from the entire west bank of the river Dnieper which includes Kherson City. Announced in a hastily arranged press conference following an overnight collapse of their northern defensive lines. This has the potential to be a chaotic and bloody rout. Trying to withdraw 10k+ troops while under fire, trying to stay ahead of the advancing Ukrainian Army, retreating down mudbath roads and then having to cross a wide river with no bridges left standing will not be an easy task. Ukraine will likely also get a very healthy boost in captured heavy equipment and munitions - what the Russians cannot / do not destroy themselves will end up in Ukraine's possession because there is no way to get it out aside from ferry crossings which are unlikely to be practical.

As you say - an abject humiliation to lose the only provincial capital they have captured nine months into a three day cakewalk.

 

[DB9]

They are withdrawing from the entire west bank of the river Dnieper which includes Kherson City. Announced in a hastily arranged press conference following an overnight collapse of their northern defensive lines. This has the potential to be a chaotic and bloody rout. Trying to withdraw 10k+ troops while under fire, trying to stay ahead of the advancing Ukrainian Army, retreating down mudbath roads and then having to cross a wide river with no bridges left standing will not be an easy task. Ukraine will likely also get a very healthy boost in captured heavy equipment and munitions - what the Russians cannot / do not destroy themselves will end up in Ukraine's possession because there is no way to get it out aside from ferry crossings which are unlikely to be practical.

As you say - an abject humiliation to lose the only provincial capital they have captured nine months into a three day cakewalk.

Looking on Youtube, The amount of equipment the Russians are just leaving behind with the keys still in them is staggering, Seems like Eastern Ukraine is littered with abandoned equipment and the Ukrainians are just saying "Thanks very much" and using them against the Russians, Also the Russians are sending untrained mobilised, under equipped troops straight to the frontline and they are giving up in droves (If reports are to be believed) plus they have Chechens and this Wagner Army in the Russian's rear that are reportedly shooting any retreating troops (Think of the film Enemy at the Gates, Near opening scenes when troops retreated)

 

[Phil Sayers]

As a minimum Ukraine have already captured 500 Russian tanks (some of which can be repaired and others of which will be assessed as too damaged):

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590303954750951424

In contrast Ukraine has in total (destroyed, damaged and captured) been seen to lose fewer than 350 tanks although the real figure is likely much higher:

Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

www.oryxspioenkop.com

When you factor in donations of hundreds of old Soviet tanks from Eastern European warehouses the odds are that Ukraine now has many more tanks in service after nine months of war than they did when it started. By way of comparison the British Army has circa 200 tanks in total.....

 

[DB9]

Senior US General says that possibly 200k soldiers may have been killed or wounded since the Russians invaded Ukraine, He says 100k on the Russian side and about the same on the Ukrainian side, Also up to 40k civilians killed too. Eye watering numbers.

 

[Phil Sayers]

With the Ukrainians already this close to Kherson City I have no idea how the remaining Russians hope to get out. They can use ferries and barges but the crossing points are already well within artillery range and Ukraine will have assembled a lot of artillery for this offensive. The assembly / embarkation points to board ferries etc are not going to be a nice place to be:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590690201747488769

Would not be surprised if this ends with thousands trying to swim across the river.

 

[Phil Sayers]

Russian State TV starting to get a little 'sarcy' probably does not bode well for Putin:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590729203485356034

This guy should steer clear of windows and only make his own cups of tea.

 

[Spoonz Red E]

... This guy should steer clear of windows and only make his own cups of tea.

Article 280, Part 2.
"All proper tea is theft"
Sentence 6 to 8 years.

 

[DB9]

Russia says it has completed its withdrawal from Kherson. Wonder what "Little Suprises" they've left for the Ukrainians?

 

[Phil Sayers]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1591057171306815490

 

[Mr Jinx]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1591057171306815490

What is now stopping Ukrainian armies getting to Crimea?