To misquote Churchill, it may not be the beginning of the end, but it's the end of the beginning. Russia failed to score a coup de main, the Ukrainians did not rise up in joy to meet Russian forces, and the Russians failed to gain air superiority, knock out the command and control structure, or prevent damaging images and reporting from…
To misquote Churchill, it may not be the beginning of the end, but it's the end of the beginning. Russia failed to score a coup de main, the Ukrainians did not rise up in joy to meet Russian forces, and the Russians failed to gain air superiority, knock out the command and control structure, or prevent damaging images and reporting from Ukraine. Russia has not been able to seal the Polish border, nor has it stopped rail transfer across that border. Its elite forces have been decimated; the street fighting reported in Kyiv was probably Ukrainian forces hunting down and killing wandering Russian paratroopers. Questions have arisen over how many missiles Russia has left. The majority of its quickly available combat forces have been deployed. Quick victory seems more and more unlikely.
Additionally, according to the Pentagon, Russia is having a hard time resupplying its forces. The main supply line for the troops aimed at Kiev runs through Europe's largest swamp, and the area is in partial thaw. If Russia has moved armored vehicles down paved highways, those highways are now unusable.
The specter of a longer war with high casualties confronts Russia. Its economic pain will only increase. The Ukrainian war is forcing Sweden and Finland, neutrals on Russia's northwestern flank, to consider closer relations with NATO. NATO itself is revitalized, and its members are beginning to direct lethal aid to the Ukraine.
It's far too early to say Russia missed the bus; but it obviously was consulting the wrong timetable.
To misquote Churchill, it may not be the beginning of the end, but it's the end of the beginning. Russia failed to score a coup de main, the Ukrainians did not rise up in joy to meet Russian forces, and the Russians failed to gain air superiority, knock out the command and control structure, or prevent damaging images and reporting from Ukraine. Russia has not been able to seal the Polish border, nor has it stopped rail transfer across that border. Its elite forces have been decimated; the street fighting reported in Kyiv was probably Ukrainian forces hunting down and killing wandering Russian paratroopers. Questions have arisen over how many missiles Russia has left. The majority of its quickly available combat forces have been deployed. Quick victory seems more and more unlikely.
Additionally, according to the Pentagon, Russia is having a hard time resupplying its forces. The main supply line for the troops aimed at Kiev runs through Europe's largest swamp, and the area is in partial thaw. If Russia has moved armored vehicles down paved highways, those highways are now unusable.
The specter of a longer war with high casualties confronts Russia. Its economic pain will only increase. The Ukrainian war is forcing Sweden and Finland, neutrals on Russia's northwestern flank, to consider closer relations with NATO. NATO itself is revitalized, and its members are beginning to direct lethal aid to the Ukraine.
It's far too early to say Russia missed the bus; but it obviously was consulting the wrong timetable.