Putin Digs Yet Another Hole to Nowhere

Vladimir Putin continues to prosecute his war with Ukraine in the vain hope of emerging the victor in a conflict that has inadvertently revealed Russia’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities to the world. As Russia loses its hold on Crimea; experiences considerable loss of infantry, armament and territory; watches both its fossil fuel export industry disappear and major commercial enterprises collapse; and witnesses its financial institutions now following suit, Putin chooses to turn his attention toward escalating a hybrid war upon Europe as if to distract from his failure in Ukraine. Russia’s actions in the latter case have become so overt that denial only invites ridicule. Presumably the purpose of the approach centers upon weakening the resolve of nations supporting Ukraine although it may also ostensibly feed into the Russian public’s desire to strike out against the West which Putin has demonized as the agent of their discontent. … More Putin Digs Yet Another Hole to Nowhere

Knocking Russia Down to Size: Ukraine’s Cross-Border Offensive

Within its borders, Ukraine confronts Russia’s military forces in the east and southeast and, otherwise, defends its civilians throughout the country from Russia’s aerial attacks upon its cities. Vladimir Putin’s war has primarily distilled into two immediate strategies: 1. capture and hold ground, particularly in the Donbas, in order to fully occupy some of the oblasts in the eastern territories, and 2. terrorize Ukrainian citizens to weaken their resolve and sue for peace. Over the past 3.5 years, Ukraine with the support of over 40 nations worldwide, has withstood the Russian assault upon its sovereignty and its people with the sort of resilience normally attributed to a comparatively much larger nation. It has managed this not only by courage manifest in battle but through cunning, innovation and remarkable boldness in execution. Whereas Putin has concentrated his efforts upon indiscriminate destruction of civilian life and infrastructure and the deliberate sacrifice of Russian troops for limited territorial gain, Ukraine has undertaken the highly strategic tact of undermining his war industry and the money supporting it. … More Knocking Russia Down to Size: Ukraine’s Cross-Border Offensive