Russian tanks advance towards Kyiv from east

[bluewater]

Issued on: 09/03/2022 - 22:46

Over the last five days, the Russians have advanced more than 80 kilometres (62 miles) on the northeastern front and are getting close to the Ukrainian capital.

The Ukrainian officer in camouflage points towards the north, where the motorway stretches empty to the horizon between snow-covered fields. "The Russian tanks are just over there, two kilometres away," he said, ordering a civilian vehicle to turn round and go back, due to the danger from Russian forces. "Drive in a zig-zag to avoid their shots," he advises the driver.
...

The Russian tanks are stationed just a few kilometres away from Kyiv's city limits. Last Saturday, the Russians were about 80 kilometres further up this road, on a level with the city of Chernihiv.

This advance along the motorway from the north brings Russian tanks just to the east of Kyiv, heightening fears that they could soon encircle the capital. Russian tanks are also just a few kilometres from the city to its northwest.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220309-russian-tanks-advance-towards-kyiv-from-east

FYI: france24.com has some excellent on-site reports that give a human perspective into the invasion with poignant photography that unfortunately could not be directly linked when I posted the OP.

[Tomconroy]

1. The retired Australian general I follow on twitter says

They don't have enough troops to completely cut Kyiv off. But they have artillery. The Pentagon says Kyiv has supplies for a week to ten days.

[femmedem]

2. Terrifying.

We've done a lot, but it has been too little too late.

And I can hardly stand to read any analysis that focuses on what will happen to Putin and Russia in the long term rather than what is happening in Ukraine right now. (Not talking about this article but about others I've read.) Nor can I stand the mournful pronouncements by people who have the power to stop it.

[bluewater]

3. Tragic, but true it seems.

What I have a hard time stomaching is all the haha funny memes and high fiving being done by keyboard pundits thousands of miles away from the conflict.




Best regards,

[Jarqui]

4. I've been worried about a report like this

Hopefully, they can do something about it.

I've become a big fan of the Ukrainian people. Really pulling for them.
Wish I could do more.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

5. Classic pincer attack grinds on, I think this is diversion. Really want southern ports, Odessa, etc

They would control all access to port cities. Cut off Ukraine from sea completely..

Could shell Kiev into rubble over weeks, months, control eastern 1/3 of country, contested areas there, pull back to main river and declare victory.

After they kill or capture prez of course. Only objective in Kiev.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Yes this sounds likely.

How much time do you think Zelensky has left? Will Putin kill or capture him?

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

11. Russia will be content to drag him through streets for propaganda, I doubt he lives, escapes maybe

Could take another week or two, they slow

[Irish_Dem]

15. I wish he would get his family out now, and I pray he escapes.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

16. Yes, he's done all he can, enough. get him and his family out, govt in exile works too

[Irish_Dem]

18. Yes it is important he stays alive. But I suppose if he leaves, his people will be demoralized.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

19. Well you don't have to broadcast it all over twitter that he's leaving, can't anyone keep a secret?

[Irish_Dem]

20. Not much is secret anymore it seems.

[EndlessWire]

9. I don't think it is diversion

But, I agree that probably all the actual military targets have been achieved. Putin wants the coast from end to end. He controls the Kerch Straits, parts of Georgia on the other side, and has effectively achieved control of the Azov Sea. He's got Odesa, and Mariupol. And, he's fooling around inland in cities that, if he captures them, he can cut a huge chunk of Ukraine out of that country.

Now, all he needs is to take control of the Dardanelles, effing up Turkey, and he has quite a collection of sea ports and accesses for all the shipping he could possibly want.

And, we are sitting here. And no, I don't want WW3, but it didn't take much to neuter NATO, did it? I am so pissed.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

10. When does amphibian landing happen, will Odessa be preserved and not destroyed, my questions

Odessa is beautiful old cultural land mark city. I would hope they want it intact.

This will take time of course, many weeks or months, lots can still happen.

[EndlessWire]

12. Sorry, they are destroying as much of the infrastructure

that they can. No city they attack will be spared.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

13. I just watched some amazing travel vlogs of young people in Ukraine, Kiev, happier times, beautiful

Amazing food and beautiful city, incredible nightmare what's happening to it and it's lovely people

[EndlessWire]

14. The beautiful buildings of the world

Such beauty we created, treated ourselves and each other to, showing culture and ideas. And, it will all be gone.

And, the people. There are just no words. This is all folly. All because of one little man and his buddies.

I know that nuclear war can't be risked. But, part of me says, if Putin popped off, then we could eliminate him and his nuclear threat forever. I know it's irrational. I just wish that rat bastard would be neutralized. Russian people, do your job.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

17. Odessa is not under Russian control, fighting really hasn't started yet there

Yet

[Walleye]

6. I've been watching France 24 but I can only take a little at a time

I can’t remember ever seeing such heartbreaking scenes

[Gore1FL]

7. I wonder what their fuel situation is like.

From all appearances, they really don't have a good supply or a way of replenishing what they have. They are advancing just over 12 miles a day on average. It's going to take them a while at that rate.