Russia says everything is going just peachy and now they're going to focus on Donbass

[BeyondGeography]

Ukraine war: Russia to focus on 'liberating' Donbass region as it says first phase of invasion mostly complete

Russia will focus on the "liberation" of Ukraine's eastern Donbass region after mostly completing the first phase of its military operation, Moscow's defence ministry has said. It claimed that Russian-backed separatists are controlling 93% of Luhansk and 54% of Donetsk - the two areas that make up the Donbass.

"The main objectives of the first stage of the operation have generally been accomplished," said Sergei Rudskoi, head of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate. “The combat potential of the armed forces of Ukraine has been considerably reduced, which makes it possible to focus our core efforts on achieving the main goal - the liberation of Donbass."

There are suspicions that Moscow may be switching to more limited goals after running into fierce Ukrainian resistance in the first month of the war. Earlier, however, the ministry said the invasion would continue until it "reaches the targets set by Vladimir Putin".

Mr Rudskoi said 1,351 Russian soldiers had died in the conflict and 3,825 had been injured.

https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-joe-biden-to-meet-ukrainian-refugees-after-warning-of-chemical-attack-response-as-boris-johnson-hits-back-at-kremlin-anti-russian-claim-12574539

Vlad enters how to spin-a-win mode.

[dawg]

1. Translation: We just realized we probably can't take Kiev.

Therefore, we never intended to do so in the first place.

[lagomorph777]

2. And pay no attention to the tens of thousands of dead soldiers.

They're faking.

[mopinko]

3. how much of that region did they control on day 1?

and they arent in complete control now?

this tells you everything you need to know about those big red blotches on those maps.

[Botany]

4. IOW Russia is getting its ass kicked on the ground in the rest of the country and this is a retreat

Russia will still attack cities using artillery, missiles, and bombing.

BTW Russia's losses KIA and wounded are well north of 15K

[dalton99a]

5. Give the Ukrainians some longer range missiles

[DFW]

6. So, Russia will focus on liberating the Ukraine from the Ukrainians. Do they listen to Tom Paxton?

Lyndon Johnson told the nation
"Have no fear of escalation,
"I am trying everyone to please,
"And though it isn't really war
"We're sending fifty thousand more
"To help save Vietnam from the Vietnamese."

The song is almost 60 years old, and it's a hit again. I should think up some new lyrics.

Fearless Leader V. V. Putin
Told the Russians, "start the shootin'
"There is fertile land for us to gain
"It may cost us ten thousand dead
"But still, there's plenty to be said
"For driving the Ukrainians from Ukraine."

Or something like that.

[Ray Bruns]

7. "The combat potential of the armed forces of Ukraine has been considerably reduced"

I think the only army whose combat potential that has been reduced is Russia's.

[TygrBright]

8. I see P* has cloned Baghdad Bob. n/t

[doc03]

9. Does this mean Putin could declare victory and

go home?

[BeyondGeography]

10. Not easy

Even if he reaches a deal with Zelensky, there would still be the problem of $250 billion worth (and counting) of structural damage to Ukraine. The West could either shuttle the funds from frozen Russian assets or continue the sanctions if Russia refuses to pay.

The Ministry of Bullshit would have a hard time spinning that one as their economy tanks. They could and would say it’s all an anti-Russian plot but it wouldn’t feel like “winning”.

There’s also the issue of gas sales and foreign corporate investment neither of which will ever approach pre-invasion levels as long as Putin is in power.

All for Donetsk and Luhansk…