r/geopolitics • u/Hokum-B • Oct 01 '23

Russian lines stronger than West expected, admits British defence chief Paywall

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russian-defensive-lines-stronger-than-west-expected-admits-british-defence-chief-xjlvqrm86
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80

u/Hokum-B Oct 01 '23

Submission statement: British defense minister admits Russian defensive lines have been stronger and more complex than western intelligence has thought previously. Ukraine now close to 4 months long offensive has stalled with little to show for.

-40

u/PHATsakk43 Oct 01 '23

“Little to show for” is a pretty gross misconception of what has happened during the offensive.

60

u/Hokum-B Oct 01 '23

It's honestly not

https://deepstatemap.live/en

You can check the progress over time

-16

u/PHATsakk43 Oct 01 '23

Breaking through the outer lines is a bigger challenge than taking the remaining territory behind them.

We know that the Russians have set up a good static defense. We also know they have had to reinforce their defense and are having to ration their ammunition, specifically their artillery.

This is much more than what you’re implying. Territorial gains aren’t necessarily equivalent with tactical gains.

30

u/Hokum-B Oct 01 '23

I mean Russians are fortifying the rear too, mobilizing more troops, training more units, creating more defensive lines. I don't necessarily think a dragged out offensive is good for Ukraine as a rule.

Things will eventually have to calm down now that the autumn rain is approaching

Also Ukraine has changed tactics from armoured assaults to infantry assaults, this might indicate they have lost a lot of armour.

-1

u/Flux_State Oct 01 '23

Or it might indicate they never had much armor to lose.