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Frank Moore's avatar

Once again, the most incisive information and analysis of what is happening in Russia’s war on Ukraine one cannot obtain anywhere else in the public domain.

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Michiel Nijk's avatar

Another great piece Shankar!

Do you have any idea how many Russians will be 'captured' if the Ukrainians succeed in cutting off Russia's left pocket?

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Shankar Narayan's avatar

Jeez. Not sure. Hours ago Russians reinforced the sector with few more brigades. They are fighting back to hold the line. Looks like they are not ready to fully lose the two settlements. It remains extremely fluid at the moment. Two brigades have moved into the pocket, likely few more will be added.

Will update again tmrw. But it is a different story. may be i will add a small update at the end.

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Conor Gallogly's avatar

It would be nice if Republicans in Congress squeezed Russians finances with tariffs and sanctions.

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Paul M Sotkiewicz's avatar

As argued by Phillips O’Brien time and again in “How the War was Won” and in recent excerpts from “War and Power” it is about economics and the ability to regenerate forces across personnel and materiel over time. Economic warfare takes on many forms but allies are crucial as well to supplement. Ukraine has Europe which can and has explicitly armed Ukraine. Russia only has China providing parts (whose logistics can be interrupted) and North Korea. Still, continuing to attack refined petroleum infrastructure gets a three-for-one by hurting value added exports AND the military machine AND raising domestic discontent.

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Richard Bedingfield's avatar

Thanks for that. With a prolonged exhausting war like this, Ukraine is absolutely correct to isolate and attack the invaders Achilles Heel.

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Chris (CJ Fitz)'s avatar

Trump will definitely be imposing new sanctions. In two weeks. Two weeks. Definitely maybe in, like, two weeks. Thank goodness Europe has pulled things together and stepped up.

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Sara Frischer's avatar

Thank you Shankar, Reading this essay brought to mind how personal relationships/friendships and aquaintences have shifted during the last 12 years based on politics. After living with the ability to sit on a fence or a table together. I won't throw out items I have acquired made in China, but certainly going forward, I will do my best to limit what I do. These new friendships N. Korea, Russia and Chine, are to say the least troubling to say the least. (I have left out India for the moment ). I learn something new from your essays. Again, Thank you.

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billy mccarthy's avatar

putin should realise that xi is not santa

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Alan King's avatar

Perhaps Russia’s mounting debt with China is related to the Chinese official’s comment that it is not in the best interest of China for Russia to lose the war. If Russia loses, that debt will not be repaid. If Russia does not lose, then that debt will be a bargaining chip.

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