Why Russia gave up on urban war in Kyiv and turned to big battles in the east

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2022/kyiv-urban-warfare-russia-siege-donbas/?itid=hp-top-table-main

“They decided [to withdraw] because they had no other decision to make,“ said Jeffrey Edmonds, the former director for Russia on the National Security Council.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Well, we can take the city, but it’s going to cost us too much,’ " said Edmonds, who also served with the U.S. Army in Iraq. “They just couldn’t do it.

Russia began pulling its troops from Kyiv in late March, sending some north to Belarus and others to the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. The energy-rich region on Russia’s western border is held in part by allied separatists, offering Moscow safer territory from which to launch attacks and resupply its forces.

The open terrain is better for Russian armored units, experts say. Near Kyiv, they were forced to use roads, putting forces on a predictable route vulnerable to ambushes and attacks from the air.

Excellent interactive multimedia and graphics at the link. It really visualizes the impossible challenge of trying to take a city of 3 million creative and very determined Ukrainians.

[Amishman]

1. They won't find much better terrain for armor in the east

Spring mud will be a big obstacle, plus I imagine Ukraine saw this coming and have mined and fortified all the best avenues of advance.

[IronLionZion]

2. Russia has been flying bombers more in the east

the land war hasn't been working out for them so they might just bomb the hell out of the east and pretend it's a win

[Amishman]

5. I guess we just need to send more and better anti air missiles

Given Russia's declining stocks of guided munitions, they'll either have to fly lower and slower to hit targets with 'dumb' bombs, which improves the chances of shooting them down.

[IronLionZion]

6. Absolutely

It should be easier to supply them from the west now.

[roamer65]

3. It was their plan B.

If they can’t conquer Ukraine as a whole, they want that land bridge to Crimea.

[Kaleva]

4. It remains to be seen if Russia can afford to keep it.

Russia has an economy the size of Brazil's and is facing a determined foe backed and supplied by many of the richest nations in the world. The effects of the sanctions on the Russian economy will get worse over time.

[roamer65]

7. Very true.

Time will tell.

[Kaleva]

8. If it turns into a long conflict, my guess is Russia will lose

They don't have the economy to sustain it.

Manpower may also be an issue as I've seen reports that Russia is recalling retired military vets, some in their 60's, back into service.