Whatever will suck in the most Russians for the least cost, and these are not the offensive troops the Ukrainians are holding back, but reenforced units that were defending there already. They are poking them with the left hand while holding a big stick behind their back in their right hand. Attacking the Russian rail logistics is vital, I say bridges, but they say rail power stations and railheads with long range weapons, which appears to make little sense. Maybe they don't want to destroy their own rail bridges and can't attack those inside Russia as part of the deal for the weapons, except for the Kerch bridge. I think with that one they will want to take out the rail bridge and leave the road bridges up for now, since lots of Russians and loyalists are using it to leave Crimea, helping to win the peace after the war.I like the idea of shooting fish in a barrel. Encircle them in Bakhmut and do not let them flee.
I think Zeihan is reading more into russian motives than is there to read.
It will be an existential struggle. There is no way Ukraine will accept Russia on their land, Russia (Putin) can not be seen as losers as that would be the end of Putin.I think Zeihan is reading more into russian motives than is there to read.
putin may perceive this as an existential struggle, but the average russian does not.
If putin can be removed from power, and replaced with someone who doesn't have delusions of empire,
they could start their recovery soon after Ukraine starts theirs, and much of the fallout could be avoided.
That would be the key, right there...how that could be achieved, i wouldn't venture to guess.that would be the end of Putin.