I believe on that post besides the Patriot damage, I referenced the Western Ukrainian ammo depot strike being blown off as a nothingburger, old shells. We won’t ever know that answer. Also referenced Bakhmut falling and the rationalization here being that now the Ukrainians can collapse on the flanks. TBD there.
So, this was in Politico this morning.
This is interesting coming a couple days after Zelensky said counteroffensive was being delayed until they acquired more weapons.
“It’s a scenario that may prove the most realistic long-term outcome given that neither Kyiv nor Moscow appear inclined to ever admit defeat. It’s also becoming increasingly likely amid the growing sense within the administration that an upcoming Ukrainian counteroffensive won’t deal a mortal blow to Russia.”
They say they’re planning for all contingencies but it’s pretty clear that you write this story to float the idea out there. Especially to the hardcore supporters. The beginning of letting them down easy?
No one is winning. A stalemate, as I said earlier.
If you think about it, not the worst outcome considering where we stand. Ukraine is allowed to regroup and rearm. Russia gets a portion of Ukraine that they’ve blown to bits anyway. Woohoo. Then you let the sanctions work as Russia is an international pariah. In a year or two their economy and industrial capacity is wrecked They’re basically a bigger North Korea. Putin can sell as a win. We back away from possible nuclear conflict. Things settle down. Anyway, flame away.