War in Ukraine

I'm seeing >100 sq km being reported. Apparently the Russians have gone full throttle in this area. If indeed Ukraine syphoned many of its best units into Kursk, then Pokrovsk could fall in rather quick succession. It does appear Russia are making quicker gains in the Donetsk the past couple of days than what the UAF are able to muster in the forest-dominated areas of Kursk they are in now.

 

Ukraine destroys a "very strategic" bridge used by Russia to supply troops. No rail + no bridge = no supplies. Another sad day for the Kremlin.

Ukraine incursion destroys key Russian bridge

 

On 11 August 2024, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that 71 combat clashes occurred on the Pokrovsk axis and that Russian forces were "most actively advancing".[18] On 15 August 2024, Serhii Dobriak, the head of the Pokrovsk City Military Administration reported that Russian forces were only 10 km from the city,[19][20][21] and urged all citizens, especially the elderly and families with young children, to evacuate.[22] On 16 August, a police officer in the city estimated that 40,000 people remained in Pokrovsk.[23]

 

So the RGF has capture more ground in Pokrovsk than the AFU have in Kursk?

 

I am not seeing that the Russians have breached the city limits of Pokrovsk yet, at this time. This is territory to the east of Pokrovsk on the way from Avdiivka. But yes, based on what I'm reading, the Russians in the past couple of days have taken more land in this zone than the Ukrainians have taken in Kursk in the past couple of days. It's a worthwhile comparison considering how heavily fortified Ukraine has been to the east of Pokrovsk.

 

Do you mind posting any graphics of what you are seeing about Pokrovsk compared to what is out there about Kursk?

 

Boom!

 

Are you talking about the past 48 hours worth of Kursk or entirety of the operation? I'm speaking to the past 48 hours in both areas.

 

The entirety of the Kursk operation to date.

 

No, I would say clearly there has been more ground taken by the Ukrainians in Kursk since Aug 6(?) than what Russia has done in the past 48 hours moving towards Pokrovsk. However, I would be remiss if I didn't point out something you likely already know: there is a huge difference between advancing on highly fortified land, versus breaking 14km deep through the border. As it stands today, what Ukraine occupies in the Kursk region is of little strategic value militarily compared to Pokrovsk. Maybe Ukraine can contain on both fronts, but I'm concerned they won't be able to. If Pokrovsk goes, that's pretty much Donestk oblast to Russian hands due to all the supply routes which traverse the city.

 

So if the RFG achieve their objective, what have they won?

 

Logistical control of the Donetsk region.

 

Which means what?

 

The bridge was taken out with a HIMARS missile.

In other news, protests and petitions were started, objecting to Putin's use of conscripts to defend Kursk. Many conscripts have only fired their rifle twice and been in ten days of basic training.

Ukrainian Himars strike destroys key Kursk bridge used for Russian reinforcements

 

Frankly, understanding what a HIMARS can do and what it can’t, I find that hard to believe. Though I agree, of course, that bridge is no longer there.

 

I will be curious of the answer to that myself.

 

Which Ukrainian troops will be denied supplies based on this "logistical control" of Russia's? Will there be Russians sitting in a control room pressing buttons to decide who gets what? Or will they use remote controls? Finally, will this mean that Russian troops can stop drinking out of puddles and getting dysentery? Or is it not that kind of control? Is it more of a metaphorical control?

 

Maybe the nice Ukrainians were just helping Russia to convert it to a draw bridge?

 

Source: retired German tank commander …

Instead of its senseless attack on Kursk Ukraine could have had an agreement that would make it possible to get through the winter without many blackouts and other interruptions. It blew that chance.

The moral uplift for Ukrainian forces created by the attack on Kursk is already waning. Russia has not pulled any of its troops involved in the attacks in the east to defend Kursk. It has instead pulled reserves from elsewhere. One of the hoped for effects of the Kursk incursion is thereby not happening.

Ukraine's attack was only made possible by pulling troops for the eastern frontline. Moreover artillery supplies, which were already problematic

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2024/...k-derailed-partitial-ceasefire-deal.html#more

 

You think that Russia would have entered into an agreement to stop attacking Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure? If so, what would the Ukrainian have had to give up?