Russia’s Protracted War in Ukraine

[Peter1469]

The war would be over if the US had not stopped Ukraine from negotiating with Russia.

Neither party is willing to accept what the other is offering for peace.

[Hoosier8]

Neither party is willing to accept what the other is offering for peace.

The parties being Russia and the US.

[Peter1469]

The parties being Russia and the US.

I was referring to Russia and Ukraine. But yes, many in the US want to fight to the last Ukrainian.

[Hoosier8]

I was referring to Russia and Ukraine. But yes, many in the US want to fight to the last Ukrainian.

The war machine certainly does. That is why the US stopped Ukraine from negotiating. Ukraine is a major money laundering country for the powerful and is very corrupt. Ukraine does our bidding.

[MisterVeritis]

I wonder if warfare might return to WWI style trench warfare?

[Peter1469]

I wonder if warfare might return to WWI style trench warfare?

It sort of is, in a modern sense. We'll see if there are any major breakouts in the spring.

[Captdon]

I was referring to Russia and Ukraine. But yes, many in the US want to fight to the last Ukrainian.

That's a matter for the Ukrainians to decide.

I can't think of a peace accord that could be accepted by both sides. Is Russia going to withdraw from territory it wants? Is the Ukraine going to shrug the invasion off?

[Peter1469]

That's a matter for the Ukrainians to decide.

I can't think of a peace accord that could be accepted by both sides. Is Russia going to withdraw from territory it wants? Is the Ukraine going to shrug the invasion off?

Not now. Neither will happen until one's side ability/will to wage war is crushed. The other option is a peace deal that neither side is happy with.

[Peter1469]

Russia is preparing for a new offense and updated maps.



Nearly a year into an invasion that was supposed to take weeks, Vladimir Putin is preparing a new offensive in Ukraine, at the same time steeling his country for a conflict with the US and its allies that he expects to last for years.

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Putin’s determination presages another deadly escalation in his war as Kyiv prepares a new push of its own to eject his forces, dismissing any cease-fire that leaves Russia occupying its land. The Russian leader believes he has no alternative but to prevail in a conflict he sees as an existential one with the US and its allies, the people said. A new round of mobilization is possible as soon as this spring, they said, as the economy and society are increasingly subordinated to the needs of the war.


“Putin is disappointed at how things are going but he isn’t ready to abandon his goals,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik, a political consultancy. “It just means that the route will be longer, more bloody and worse for everyone.”


US and European intelligence officials question whether Russia has the resources for a major new offensive, even after mobilizing 300,000 additional troops last fall. Ukraine’s allies, meanwhile, are stepping up weapons supplies, preparing to deliver armored vehicles and main battle tanks for the first time that could help Ukrainian troops break through Russian lines.


But Russia’s brutal, grinding attacks in places like Bakhmut, an eastern city that has limited strategic value, have worn down Ukrainian forces, diverting troops and sapping Kyiv’s ability to mount offensive operations elsewhere, according to US officials.


After lightning attacks by Ukrainian forces in the summer and fall breached its defensive lines, Russia has since stepped up protections, using trenches, tank traps and mines to slow any potential advance. Publicly, the Kremlin says there are no plans for more mobilization at present.


Longer term, Putin has approved plans to expand the ranks of the military by nearly 50% over the next few years, deploying new forces near Finland — which is in the process of joining NATO - and in the occupied regions of Ukraine. Schools and universities are reinstating military-training courses last conducted widely in the Soviet era as war preparations permeate society.

[Tahuyaman]

..Longer term, Putin has approved plans to expand the ranks of the military by nearly 50% over the next few years, deploying new forces near Finland — which is in the process of joining NATO - and in the occupied regions of Ukraine. Schools and universities are reinstating military-training courses last conducted widely in the Soviet era as war preparations permeate society.

Sounds like Putin does have this long term goal of restoring the former Soviet empire.