Russians control 80% of key Ukraine city, cut escape routes

[867-5309.]

Source: AP

Russian troops control about 80% of the fiercely contested eastern city of Sievierodonetsk and have destroyed all three bridges leading out of it but Ukrainians were still trying to evacuate the wounded, a regional official said Tuesday.

Serhiy Haidai, governor of the eastern Luhansk region, acknowledged that a mass evacuation of civilians from Sievierodonetsk now was “simply not possible” due to the relentless shelling and fighting. Ukrainian forces have been pushed to the industrial outskirts of the city because of “the scorched earth method and heavy artillery the Russians are using,” he said.

“There is still an opportunity for the evacuation of the wounded, communication with the Ukrainian military and local residents,” he told The Associated Press by telephone, adding that Russian soldiers have not yet completely blocked off the strategic city.

About 12,000 people remain in Sievierodonetsk, from a pre-war population of 100,000. More than 500 civilians are sheltering in the Azot chemical plant, which is being pounded by the Russians, according to Haidai...

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-government-and-politics-01f6d1c027ce68791667ffaafb61e30c

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[AllyCat]

1. How has it gotten this bad?

It looked like the UA was making headway a few weeks ago. We must do more to help them.

[867-5309.]

2. The war is out of focus with inflation, Roe, Uvalde, J6, elections

The stories I see indicate Russia is now slowly grinding forward but it isn't getting a lot of attention.

[Hestia]

5. It's because they've been constrained from using long range missiles and are forced into using

short range. They have to get very close to fire upon the Russians, who can fire at will from within their (real) country's border, whereas UA can't get close enough without massive casualties. And all the while, NATO is hoping the world will forget about RU vs UA and move on to the next poutrage - "who's the next "influencer" to force an innocent person out of their employment? Click this < >link to find out on the next E!"

The next best hope is breaking up the RU blockade in the Black Sea. Denmark said they had that part handled, but when? They committed ships back in early March but they haven't shown up. I know it still takes a long while to get anywhere on water/seas/ocean but shouldn't they be there by now, helping UA get the supplies out?

[ripcord]

3. It is turning into a war of attrition

This is when the population numbers come into play, Ukraine can not replace its fighting force very easily or at all while Russia will just keep conscripting more people. Sadly I have become convinced that NATO really does have every intention of watching Ukraine fall without intervening, mustn't upset the Russians don't you know. Ukraine has become this generation's Poland and NATO leaders are emulating Neville Chamberlain.

[867-5309.]

4. I don't think Putin has the ability or will

to go much farther than Ukraine. He's getting drained pretty badly. Plus he risks our getting directly involved.

I've often wondered how we would react if Ukraine can't win. My guess is Russia stops with Donbas or thereabout and the thing just kind of smolders with no formal settlement for quite a while.