Posted on 09/13/2022 8:03:27 PM PDT by Timber Rattler
Moscow’s forces began evacuating a major city in southern Ukraine and Kyiv’s shot down an Iranian-made Russian drone Tuesday, as Ukraine’s lightning counter-offensive continued.
Russian troops were seen fleeing from Melitopol, a city in the southern portion of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia province, exiled mayor Ivan Federov said on social media.
“The occupiers ran from Melitopol towards the temporarily occupied Crimea,” Federov said on the messaging app Telegram.
He added that “columns of military equipment” from Melitopol were seen passing through Chonhar, some 70 miles to the southwest and bordering Crimea.
“This was expected — the rapid Ukrainian offensive leaves them no chance,” Federov said.
The reports of retreating Russians came hours after multiple explosions were reported in Melitopol near the local airfield, where occupying troops had set up a makeshift base.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
lol
Man, I hope so
🤣
This was not an operational trap by Russia, but neither was it a victory in battle for Ukraine - for the simple reason that there was not much of a battle at all. Russia had already hollowed out these positions, and withdrew the remaining screening forces very quickly. Ukraine covered a lot of ground, but were unable to destroy any Russian units, because there really weren’t any there.
It would be silly to try to talk the Ukrainian side out of their excitement right now. Credit where credit is due, they did manage to put together a good sized shock group, aim it at a weak portion of the front, and regain a good bit of ground. Considering the abject lack of successes for Ukraine in this war, they are rightfully trying to eke every last bit of morale and propaganda out of this.
I do not, however, believe that the territorial losses in Kharkov in any way change the ultimate calculus of the war. Russia hollowed out this front and surrendered ground, but they were able to maul the Ukrainian forces as they advanced with relentless artillery and airstrikes. Ukrainian channels widely report overflowing hospitals. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed 4,000 killed and 8,000 wounded for Ukraine during their advance - I believe this is high, but even if we reduce the numbers by 50% (leaving us with 6,000 total casualties, reasonable given how much ordnance Russia discharged) it is very clear that the loss ratios in this operation were stacked badly against Ukraine, as they always are.
There has also been some partisan activity in area by the Ukies as well. Taking Melitopol and the surrounding area would cut the “land bridge” to Crimea and force the Russians to supply the Kherson front through Crimea. That would be “yuge” for the Ukies.
This is all great news as long as the good guys have the ability to establish defense lines to protect the rapid gains.
Worst military debacle in modern history. Putin cant survive this and he doesn’t have the resources to double down. Hes screwed.
Ordered to “advance to the rear” or outright mutiny?
Mayor Ivan Fedorov wrote on Telegram that Russian troops were heading towards Moscow-annexed Crimea.
He said columns of military equipment were reported at a checkpoint in Chonhar, a village marking the boundary between the Crimean peninsula and the Ukrainian mainland.
I thought you told us Ukraine can’t advance because Russia just treats them apart with artillery.
But now the Russian lines were “hollowed out” and they withdrew.
I assume Russia will regroup and launch new attacks.
But as we’ve seen cities are a messy job to capture. Or recapture. So if the Ukrainians get some cities back, then can make the Russians party for them.
As for casualties, at least right now the greatest casualty is Russian prestige and morale.
And make up your mind, either the Russians just withdrew or the Ukrainians suffered all these supppsed casualties in hard fighting.
Every indication is the Russians are shocked by these setbacks.
I don’t predict the war’s ultimate outcome,but slogging it out for a year in Ukraine was not the Russian plan.
LOL- I do believe a New York Post reporter has been punked.
“Worst military debacle in modern history. “
Really? lol...
+1
I can’t recall many strategic “pullouts” whereby reluctant combatants leave much of their equipment, ammo and food behind. Then again we saw it happen last year in Kabul.
Okay, I see where your going with this.
Norman Schwarzkopf would beg to differ if he was alive.
This is different than Kabul, Kabul was a transfer to the Afghan army.
This was a battlefield abandonment of weaponry to the Ukrainians while under attack, and with all expectations those guns would be turned around and used on themselves, but the panic could not be overcome.
The one in Kabul was intentional but not successful.
This is only a surprise to Civilians.
I am career military. The Russky military man is a joke. Their command and control structure is antiquated and pathetic.
It is a top-down, command structure. Rigid. It does not allow for any initiative by any mid to low-level personnel. Neither officer nor non-com.
If the top-level planning is utterly flawed their entire force structure becomes paralyzed.
But, that is not the crux of their issues. The real issue is the Russian forces are totally unmotivated. They do not want to fight. They are conscripts with no passion for the fight.
If not for the fact that Russia has a good many ICBM’s in their arsenal; they would be a complete joke on the world stage as a military threat.
This applies equally to Communist China.
Both countries rely on threats and posturing aimed towards the weak coward politicians in western nations to aid them in their huffing and puffing threats and propaganda.
The enemies of the USA are well aware that they have sympathetic Allies within the USA.
I believe little from both side’s public statements. I do believe in maps. The maps show Russian forces in retreat in Eastern Ukraine and much territory now regained by the Ukraine. I have no idea if they can continue these gains nor Russia’s ability to stop it.
You will not find the answers on the evening news.
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