[Goose]

Still, snake island was one of the few Russian successes in the war.  Since then,the Russian warship that was politely told to screw itself obliged by sinking to the bottom of the Black Sea, and the Russian force that took the island is toast.  Somewhere Pyrrhus of Epirus is smiling to himself.

Indeed, it was a Pyrrhic victory. Amazingly, at least to me, Russia keeps fighting battles it really doesn't need to. That is worse than Pyrrhic. Snake Island would have run out of food and water very quickly if just left alone. They would have been forced to surrender or be evacuated in any case. There were no weapons there that threatened Russian ships. Just make sure it isn't re-supplied and game over. Stupid. Calling it a "success" is hard to justify.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive to relieve the pressure around Kharkiv, and drive some Russian forces back over the border.  ISW doesn’t think that the Ukrainians will be able to threaten Russian supply lines to Izium, and that is probably correct but the Ukrainians have surprised us before.



Happy Victory Day.



BC

Driving the Russians out of artillery range of Kharkiv would be a big deal. Getting within shooting distance of at least part of the GLOC might give Ukraine a chance to pinch out some of the Russian salients around Izium. If supply becomes a constraint, the Russians might very well back off. I don't think Ukraine is yet at the point it can look at an envelopment, but that day needs to come. Ukraine is getting closer. If the battle in Donbas has the same profile as the one around Kiev it would be just fine. Bend, inflict disproportionate casualties, and then push back. Better still, get Russia over-extended and then cut them off.

[Goose]

Still, snake island was one of the few Russian successes in the war.  Since then,the Russian warship that was politely told to screw itself obliged by sinking to the bottom of the Black Sea, and the Russian force that took the island is toast.  Somewhere Pyrrhus of Epirus is smiling to himself.

Indeed, it was a Pyrrhic victory. Amazingly, at least to me, Russia keeps fighting battles it really doesn't need to. That is worse than Pyrrhic. Snake Island would have run out of food and water very quickly if just left alone. They would have been forced to surrender or be evacuated in any case. There were no weapons there that threatened Russian ships. Just make sure it isn't re-supplied and game over. Stupid. Calling it a "success" is hard to justify.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive to relieve the pressure around Kharkiv, and drive some Russian forces back over the border.  ISW doesn’t think that the Ukrainians will be able to threaten Russian supply lines to Izium, and that is probably correct but the Ukrainians have surprised us before.



Happy Victory Day.



BC

Driving the Russians out of artillery range of Kharkiv would be a big deal. Getting within shooting distance of at least part of the GLOC might give Ukraine a chance to pinch out some of the Russian salients around Izium. If supply becomes a constraint, the Russians might very well back off. I don't think Ukraine is yet at the point it can look at an envelopment, but that day needs to come. Ukraine is getting closer. If the battle in Donbas has the same profile as the one around Kiev it would be just fine. Bend, inflict disproportionate casualties, and then push back. Better still, get Russia over-extended and then cut them off.