• Skua@kbin.earth
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      7
      ·
      4 months ago

      Capturing Russian conscripts and territory is a useful card in negotiations, whether that is for a ceasefire or just a prisoner swap. Bringing the war into Russian territory also makes it more difficult for the Russian government to sell to the population

      • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        6
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        4 months ago

        So far, conditions don’t seem to be pointing in Ukraines favor though. Maintaining an offensive is costly, and winter is approaching. Strategically, it could provide bargaining chips, but Russia just needs to wait it out while they maintain industrial advantages.

        It seems to me that this is ultimately not going to change the dynamic much, at the cost of Ukranian lives.

        • Skua@kbin.earth
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          4
          arrow-down
          4
          ·
          4 months ago

          I don’t think we should expect any given offensive by either side to completely overturn the whole war. A move also does not have to do that to be worthwhile. All it has to do to be worthwhile is cost Russia more than it costs Ukraine (relative to the resources available for each side). Given that Ukraine is destroying bridges, I don’t think that they intend to push much further unless a remarkable opportunity presents itself

          • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            4
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            4 months ago

            Yes, but offensives are usually costlier than defensives. Given that Ukranian equipment has come at a far greater cost than Russian equipment, Ukraine has to be extremely careful in any engagement to not fall behind materially.

      • AntiOutsideAktion@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        4 months ago

        Bringing the war into Russian territory also makes it more difficult for the Russian government to sell to the population

        Absolute mind palace nonsense