More losses for Russia in Ukraine, this time round Kherson.
Ukraine’s long-telegraphed Kherson counter-offensive is making some headway alongside the western banks of the Dnipro river, between the villages of Zolota Balka and Dudchany round 100km north of the port metropolis.
Ukraine makes largest breakthrough within the south – dwell updates
Russia’s ministry of defence admitted on Monday that the Ukrainians had damaged by Russian strains at Zolota Balka and Oleksandrivka, however that the Russians had taken up pre-prepared defensive positions and had been persevering with to inflict “massive fire on the enemy”.
Just 4 days after Russia declared all this territory theirs, it does not look good for them. And Russian losses are showing within the public area, in a manner that one month in the past they’d not have executed. Russian army bloggers are documenting Russian setbacks to increasing teams of followers.
The likes of Ramzan Kadyrov, who by the way has simply introduced he’ll be sending his three teenage sons to struggle (together with his 14-year-old), has poured criticism on the Russian army command accountable for the Lyman debacle.
As has Evgeny Prigozhin, who lately revealed himself to no person’s nice shock as head of Russian mercenary group Wagner.
Kremlin criticism might work in Putin’s favour
Pundits on state TV are expressing concern on the dire state of affairs.
Could this open a Pandora’s field for the Kremlin, criticism which gathers tempo and which it can not management, triggering a sluggish unravelling?
Perhaps. It might additionally, deliberately or not, serve a goal for Vladimir Putin.
If his nuclear bluffs are to be taken critically, and given Russian capabilities it might be silly to not, he must current a case to his those that the nuclear possibility is – in some unspecified time in the future – justified.
He and his propagandists are pitching this as an existential battle in opposition to the army would possibly of the collective West, out to destroy and dismantle Russia.
A nuclear strike is an abhorrent possibility in any state of affairs, however it is unnecessary in the event you’re profitable.
With Russia dropping floor although, and the outlook more and more bleak, it’d turn out to be extra interesting as Vladimir Putin sees his choices shrink.
Source: information.sky.com”