In Ukraine, Russia is nearly down to its nukes

[Uncle Joe]

(snip)

New reports from the Ukraine Defense Ministry on May 26 also suggest Russia is planning a major accident at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in a ‘false flag’ operation to “thwart Ukraine’s imminently expected counteroffensive.” In faking a Ukrainian attack on the plant and causing “the leakage of the radioactive substances,” the Kremlin is apparently anticipating it can “trigger an international investigation which would require a ceasefire, allowing Russia to use the break in fighting to better prepare for Ukraine’s counteroffensive.”

Ukraine, however, remains undeterred and unwilling to give in to Russian nuclear blackmail. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defiantly announced on May 29 that a decision had been made concerning the timing of Ukraine’s counteroffensive. The head games continue — real and imagined, including action, reaction, counteraction — only this time, it is Ukraine dictating the conditions.

Deep strikes, raids, reconnaissance in force, supporting efforts, main effort — Gerasimov must now prepare for all contingencies along a 900-mile front. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian army gets stronger and the Russian soldier in his foxhole is left to wonder.

Putin, essentially, is down to his nukes in Ukraine. And even he likely knows that they are not a viable or winning option. The question is no longer whether Russia conventionally loses in Ukraine, but when.

https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4027714-in-ukraine-russia-is-nearly-down-to-its-nukes/

[Lovie777]

1. Yep..................

Putin's goal is to wipe out Russia and blame the West.

[Martin68]

5. Very doubtful. If Russia falls, Putin falls. Putin was overconfident because he lives in isolation.

His aides shield him from the truth because they will go to prison or fall out of a window if they tell him the truth. Russia's vaunted military modernization was a Potemkin sham, with most of the funding going into corrupt pockets. Putin's plan to blitzkrieg Kyiv, kill Zelensky and install a puppet government failed, and Putin has been buying time ever since, hoping the West doesn't have the will to support Ukraine for very long.

[mahina]

7. And waiting for November 2024

[EYESORE 9001]

2. He'll be deposed before he can fire the first nuke

It’s a tale I tell myself so I don’t effin snap.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

3. I happen to agree with you,

Putin's Generals will depose him before they fire off any nukes that would spell the end of their privileged lifestyle, you know, their mistresses, dachas, etc..

[EYESORE 9001]

4. Yep

The acronym for mutual assured destruction is MAD for a good reason.

[mahina]

8. We should check what we think we know.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Ukraine should launch big manoeuvers ever day, multiple sorties of jets

... big movements of tanks, big train movements with decoy APCs & howitzers on them.

Do it every day for seven days or 6 or 8. Then when the orcs have gotten used to it and relaxed ("Oh, it is 10:00 am, the Ukes have started today's sham, ... wake me up in time for afternoon vodka&quot , wham, the hammer comes down.

Probably not worth the effort / expense, partly because the orcs have spies. I am not a pro military strategist and I don't even play one on TV.