Ukraine is closing the Izyum pocket. Since this info is usually at least 12 hours old, they probably already have.
Last figures I saw were ~10K troops and all their equipment still in Izyum. Most of the leadership has withdrawn.
I think you are reading it correctly. The traditional Russian response to military disaster is to blame the leadership. There clearly is dissent building. It's starting to boil over, in spite of the severe consequences for speaking out.
The two unknowns: How much of the population feels this way? How much more embarrassing does it have to get for the rest of them to change their minds?
It could still take some time, but I think this is the beginning of the end for Vlad. A strongman only stays on top as long as he projects the image of a strongman and Ukraine has publicly castrated Vlad's image.
With no successor, or succession plan, it's going to be a clusterfuck of internal backbiting with a good chance of actual bloodbath breaking out. They won't be able to focus on Ukraine, even if they wanted to.
Updated salient map from pro-Russia source Rybar. UA still pushing NE, E and now closing on Izyum driving S + SW. Not shown on this map are the additional Ukrainian forces pushing north from S of Izyum.
This is a pro-Russia source. They're fucked.
Russian source Rybar claims Ukraine has reached the Oskil River, taking Sen'kove. He also claims Ukraine has captured Hrushivka and is knocking on the door in Kupiansk.
This was posted upthread. r/ukraine has some translations.
Apparently they are Luhansk mobilized forces and they are refusing to reinforce Kupyansk.
"You can shoot us were are not going"
"you can call Russian prosecutor's office. Let them come. We are not going anywhere."
Sounds like it's going well.
Yahoo also reporting it and it looks like it's up on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense site.
https://gur.gov.ua/en/content/naselennia-prydnistrov-ia-vidmovliaietsia-pidpysuvaty-kontrakty-z-armiieiu-rf-a-v-operatyvnii-hrupi-viisk-masove-dezertyrstvo.html
Colossally stupid and poorly executed to boot. The kicker slowed and stutter stepped as he approached the ball. NW player read that and was ready for the onside kick.
If you're going to attempt a trick play against smart teams like Northwestern, make sure the execution doesn't give away the play halfway through.
In week zero. That's impressive.