[Goose]

In a month, Russia has only taken one Ukrainian City, Kherson.  And that city is currently fighting back and is considered by some to be contested.

Mariupol is surrounded and is the one Ukanian city that can be attacked from both sides without a flank.  This is because Russia is attacking from the Dombas in the east and Crimea in the west.  It is the only city in that situation.  And to take it Russia had to surround and essentially destroy the city.  So I am not really sure what they are taking.

They are taking a major port that also provides them with an all land link between Russia and Crimea, and for the future of a Russian Crimea, that is priceless.

Russia has gotten to a bunch of other cities and has been able to shell from the outskirts but haven't been able to surround any: Kiev, KharKiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv.

In other words, all the Russians have taken are Fields and a bunch of small towns.

The Russians main thrust towards Kiev is wildly over extended with vulnerable flanks.  Those forces are getting pushed back.  My sense is that teh Russian force rotation is another name for a retreat from untenable positions.

I agree. Kiev turned out to be a bridge too far.

Latest news suggests that the Russians are really out of reinforcements which is why they are inserting these foreign fighters.

Russia can probably hold the South, but cannot capture Odessa.  But to what end?  Every day of the fight the Ukrainian's get stronger, better trained and better equipped.   The opposite is true for the Russians.....

Probably true, but each day Ukraine also endures a day with no economy. While they are getting somewhat better equipped, so far it is with weapons better suited to defense than to offense. How does Ukraine eject the Russians from their land? I don't think they can do it with what they have.

[Goose]

In a month, Russia has only taken one Ukrainian City, Kherson.  And that city is currently fighting back and is considered by some to be contested.

Mariupol is surrounded and is the one Ukanian city that can be attacked from both sides without a flank.  This is because Russia is attacking from the Dombas in the east and Crimea in the west.  It is the only city in that situation.  And to take it Russia had to surround and essentially destroy the city.  So I am not really sure what they are taking.

They are taking a major port that also provides them with an all land link between Russia and Crimea, and for the future of a Russian Crimea, that is priceless.

Russia has gotten to a bunch of other cities and has been able to shell from the outskirts but haven't been able to surround any: Kiev, KharKiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv.

In other words, all the Russians have taken are Fields and a bunch of small towns.

The Russians main thrust towards Kiev is wildly over extended with vulnerable flanks.  Those forces are getting pushed back.  My sense is that teh Russian force rotation is another name for a retreat from untenable positions.

I agree. Kiev turned out to be a bridge too far.

Latest news suggests that the Russians are really out of reinforcements which is why they are inserting these foreign fighters.

Russia can probably hold the South, but cannot capture Odessa.  But to what end?  Every day of the fight the Ukrainian's get stronger, better trained and better equipped.   The opposite is true for the Russians.....

Probably true, but each day Ukraine also endures a day with no economy. While they are getting somewhat better equipped, so far it is with weapons better suited to defense than to offense. How does Ukraine eject the Russians from their land? I don't think they can do it with what they have.