Ukraine says troops holding on to Sievierodonetsk, advance in south

[blue-wave]

Source: Reuters

KYIV/SLOVIANSK, Ukraine, June 9 (Reuters) - Ukrainian forces claimed on Thursday to have pushed forward in intense street fighting in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, but said their only hope to turn the tide was more artillery to offset Russia's massive firepower.

In the south, Ukraine's defence ministry said it had captured new ground in a counter-attack in Kherson province, targeting the biggest swathe of territory Russia has seized since its invasion in February.

The battle amid the ruins of Sievierodonetsk, a small industrial city, has become one of the war's bloodiest, with Russia concentrating its invasion force there. Both sides say they have inflicted massive casualties.

Sievierodonetsk and its twin city Lysychansk on the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets river are the last Ukrainian-controlled parts of Luhansk province, which Moscow is determined to seize as one of its principal war objectives

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-fighters-hold-out-eastern-city-russia-presses-assault-2022-06-09/

[oldsoftie]

1. We are with you, UKR. Keep pushing. And hold the South

The Russians must not be allowed to push towards Odesa

[PortTack]

2. The institute for the study of war says russia may very well be too spent to continue following

The battle in SVRdonestk- personnel and equipment. Have seen different posts that the UKR military is holding on there for this very reason.

Yes, the Ukrainian forces have suffered heavy losses, but the orcs are terrible street fighters. Just like in the outskirts of Kyiv they are really getting annihilated, more so then the Ukraines.

[Igel]

3. I've seen that kind of analysis.

Exhaust them. It's also Russia's motive.

At the same time, there could be a political one. If getting the entire territory claimed by the LNR and DNR is Russia's (short-term) end game, then as soon as they approximate the borders of the old oblasts that the LNR and DNR are in Russia could say, "Okay, we want a ceasefire."

Immediately the wimps would come crawling out of the woodwork. "You can trust them." "We'll negotiate ... and *you'll* like it or we'll cease supplying you with weapons and money."

To prevent that, they need to prevent Russia's immediate goals from being met. Deny them a victory break-point.