We would probably accomplish something like that with Ospreys and/or Chinooks.
Yes. I guess if you have tank lift capability, you can do rail car. 30 tons roughly?
I think the local Russian command is following their last orders and hoping that’s enough to avoid Moscow’s anger.
I’ve done that myself when things went wrong at my job. I kept my head down and stayed very busy on my assigned project.
The failure to reinforce makes me suspicious. Come on in, the door is open. Ukraine needs to study their intel closely and confirm Russia isn’t making a long term a strategic move. It would be very easy for Ukrainian forces to over extend and try to hold too much territory.
ISW Sept 17
So the Russian military is communicating via postal letters? A few days or a week between updates? Carrier pigeons?
The top level command structure may be broken. Officers killed or captured. Russian command is strict and subordinates don’t act independently.
I think the local command would continue with their known assignments. They’re already in positions to attack Bakhmut. The artillery is zeroed in.
A possibility. But I think not all operational commands would be frozen. Not everything comes from the top levels down to the very bottom levels and all in between…
Actually, based on the numerous articles I’ve read, that’s exactly how the Soviet Russian Army works - as for most dictatorships. Independent thinking in the military can be…problematic…for the dictator.
Never mind. Detracted.
See, the PRO in this war for Ukr. is that they do not need to hold territory … the territory holds itself … IOW there are roughly 40.000.000 people helping to hold it.
(does not hold true for russians ;o)
Mexico has a peace plan which Ukraine says is designed to help Russia regroup.
I didn’t realise before that the Mexican government looks like its been taken over by a demagogue who is pro-Russian.
Confirmation that Ukraine has restored its border in this area.
It’s a sad reminder that these people lived peacefully for a long time. Travel between Ukraine and Russia was common.
I doubt there’s any chance Ukraine would send troops across the border. I wouldn’t be surprised if Russia stages a false flag attack in Belgorod.
I wonder if the border is still open? Local businessman, farmers, and journalists may need to travel.
Yah, plywood should do the trick.
It’s still possible for Ukraine to overextend lines at this point, as they really haven’t had time to set up all their forward logistics depots yet. Holding territory for Ukrainians means having adequate forces available near the front areas to stave off potential Russian counterattacks. But yes, one clear advantage the Ukrainians have is they don’t need to allocate security forces to protect themselves from partisans or civilian populations like the Russians must do. This frees up more resources for Ukr. to fight with.
Which, as I recall, received the perfect response:
“Is asking for 19 being greedy?”- Unknown U.S. Soldier.
That’s a bowdlerized version of what Marine Sergeant Major Dan Daly said during the Battle of Belleau Wood.
Where should the Ukr. really start worrying about partisans? Donbas? Or is the anti-Russian sentiment enough that collaborators will be pointed out as soon as they roll into town?
From the Guardian:
Russia has reacted to its military setbacks in the past week by increasing its missile attacks on civilian infrastructure even if they do not have any military impact, according to the latest intelligence report from the British Ministry of Defence. It says in a post on Twitter that the move is intended to destroy the morale of the Ukrainian people.
Like everything else Putin has tried, this is also destined to fail badly. cf The morale of the British during the Blitz. 18,000 tons of high explosives dropped on London alone were unable to break the morale of the public in the Blitz
But remember, this is an area replete with Russian partisans (people who want Donbas to be in Russia). Their strength and community-support has diminished since this little donnybrook, but the people in the area are not all in favor of Ukraine reclaiming the territory. Probably more than 50%, but that other less-than-50% could be troublesome.
Provoking? They’re fighting a war. Isn’t aggressive action expected? 
Maybe the reports of a negotiated withdrawal are true? I haven’t heard anything about Ukraine shelling Kherson city. Fighting street by steet would be costly for both countries.
It does sound like a Ukrainian raid went bad. Maybe local partisans instead of the military.
Guardian blog