Boy, the Ukrainians seem to be kickin ass lately…

[mrbigstuff]

Remember, he wants to destroy the cities and infrastructure, he's not looking to dominate the people and occupy the country. Not yet, at any rate. But a decimated Ukraine would mean that he won't have to worry about that flank.

[pdq]

mrbigstuff wrote:
Remember, he wants to destroy the cities and infrastructure, he's not looking to dominate the people and occupy the country. Not yet, at any rate. But a decimated Ukraine would mean that he won't have to worry about that flank.

:S

Are you saying Russia faces an attack from Ukraine?

[mrbigstuff]

pdq wrote:
[quote=mrbigstuff]
Remember, he wants to destroy the cities and infrastructure, he's not looking to dominate the people and occupy the country. Not yet, at any rate. But a decimated Ukraine would mean that he won't have to worry about that flank.

:S

Are you saying Russia faces an attack from Ukraine?
No

[Filliam H. Muffman]

It seems the new tactic for slowing down Ukraine advances is for Russia to flood them with prisoners. There more POWs than they can handle.

[Ted King]

mrbigstuff wrote:
[quote=pdq]
[quote=mrbigstuff]
Remember, he wants to destroy the cities and infrastructure, he's not looking to dominate the people and occupy the country. Not yet, at any rate. But a decimated Ukraine would mean that he won't have to worry about that flank.

:S

Are you saying Russia faces an attack from Ukraine?
No
I took it that you were referring to Putin's view that Western Europe is trying to colonize Eastern Europe and especially the Soviet Union Russia and thus that decimating Eastern Ukraine would become a bulwark against Nazis Nato in Russia's southern flank. Was that in the ballpark?

[mrbigstuff]

Ted King wrote:
[quote=mrbigstuff]
[quote=pdq]
[quote=mrbigstuff]
Remember, he wants to destroy the cities and infrastructure, he's not looking to dominate the people and occupy the country. Not yet, at any rate. But a decimated Ukraine would mean that he won't have to worry about that flank.

:S

Are you saying Russia faces an attack from Ukraine?
No
I took it that you were referring to Putin's view that Western Europe is trying to colonize Eastern Europe and especially the Soviet Union Russia and thus that decimating Eastern Ukraine would become a bulwark against Nazis Nato in Russia's southern flank. Was that in the ballpark?
Yes. But more to the point, he wants to destroy the systems that would make Ukraine a power in the future, one that could challenge Russia. Hey, let's face it, Putin could have really bombed the hell out of that country (and may still!), with no fear that any of that would occur in reverse. He's smart enough to know that occupation is a dead end.

Then again, it's been a long while since I've studied with poli-sci geopolitical experts at university!

[btfc]

Putin coveted eastern Ukraine’s resources and infrastructure; doubtful that trashing it was his first inclination, but he certainly might do so out of spite:

[mrbigstuff]

Putin covets many things, and certainly Odessa. but what will that look like if he must establish an island in the middle of an enemy country? Better to destroy what he cannot possess.

[kj]

Maybe now, but I fully think Putin intended to install Russian governance and presence in Ukraine and make it part of Russia. No need for ground troops at all if he just wants to destroy things.